C. T. (on the left) said he would not stand still but would find other supporters to also keep the project going. Our donation gave him a "kick start" and became the catalyst to give momentum to the building. Below is my latest email from him. His enthusiasm is barely contained.
"Hallow Sid
I write to find out how you travelled back home after our memorable School Assembly. We are all well and busy working on the workshop for our technical subjects.
May you send me your whatsapp number so that I send you photos of our development stages. I have tried CJ 's number. She is not receiving my messages.
So far we have bought 1 Beams and riversand for the workshop. Builders are excavating to work on the foundation. I also bought 64 bags of cement. At least we have started as I promised.
Thank you. Convey my warm greetings to your husband, family members and the Directorate of HHTHs
Yours friendly
C. T. Ndlovu."
We feel so rewarded to see things positive happening because HHTH made a difference in someone's life. When we return next year, we will, no doubt see students working on cars, selling rebuilt computers, designing and sewing clothes or taking large orders to sew uniforms for other schools, and other wonderful opportunities.
Another episode in the story of the 6 Men and A Dream. As we said, they have had to start over from scratch three times! If you could only experience the severity of the environment here, you would see what an awesome thing this is. Their tenacity and perseverance is nothing short of miraculous! They are clearing about 10 to 13 acres of land that was owned by two of the men's fathers and is now theirs. So, it cannot be taken from them. However, instead of 6 men, there are only 3 men now... BUT, there are also their 3 wives and these women are incredibly hard workers. The women are busy clearing out the "crown of thorn" bushes and they are rooted deep in the earth, stubbornly clinging to the hot dry ground.
Today the temps were above 100 degrees. They worked all morning with no food or water. These women are sturdy and will achieve great things for their families.
One lady broke her hoe handle. Tito quickly grabbed chopped a straight branch off a tree and shaped her a new hoe handle with his panga knife on the spot.
Then Aida got right back to work. I asked her if the bark hurt her hands and she gave me a strange look and said,"No... it is OK." I looked at her hands and she didn't have one blister.
CJ, Janco, Sam and I went to the Blue Store (which only has a few basic things) and picked them up loaves of bread, water, Coca Cola, and a canned fish they like. They were really hungry but would have worked all day without food or water, then would have had to walk through the woods a few miles to get home to eat.
SWEET VICTORY!
So!! It is now 3 Families With A Dream. They may come up with a different name; we will keep you informed. Front row, left to right, are Nelson, Frank and Tito. Back row, left to right is Aida, Nelson's wife and Frank's wife. I will get her name and Tito's wife soon.
They liken their story to the Biblical story of the 10 Virgins who were to wait for the Bride Groom. Five brought extra oil because they were not sure when he would come but the other five did not. The five trimmed their lamps while the others did not. When the Bride Groom came, the first five were ready with plenty of oil. The unprepared ones pleaded, "give us some of your oil so come in to the wedding and not run out. " The first five said, "No or we might run out too and then there would be no light for the wedding. " So, the ones who worked hard and kept their lamps trimmed went into the wedding and the ones who did not want to work or prepare were left outside in the darkness. Even though there were 6 men who said they would work and be prepared to make the garden a success, only 3 actually did it even against incredibly difficult obstacles. Now they and their wives are working very hard and they are making the garden a success. We believe in them and felt the need to help them overcome the problem of the drought which kept their seeds from germinating. But that is a story I want to share after telling you about Nelson and the Land Rover you see behind the group.
Nelson is one of those people who is gifted at knowing how to do about anything he is faced with. This Land Rover is a 1975 to 1980 model. When we saw it, it was only an empty shell on 4 cement blocks. There were no doors, no top. The engine was partially missing. It was actually a place for chickens to occupy. When we came this year Nelson had it all put together and running. It was a miracle! Now... he only has 3 gears and can only go forward, but it runs! They were loading it with small tree trunks they cleared off the land to sell.
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