AFRICA, SO SERENE AND WILD... FULL OF MYSTERIES AND WONDER...MAYBE, EVEN A LITTLE DANGEROUS... (May 15, 2016 update)

NOW THAT IT IS OVER, LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR HOSTAGE SITUATION ...

Let me fill you in on the background to help you understand how the situation came to be. I don’t have a photo of Awelani Lodge where we stay while working in our 5 Venda Villages. But this is the view we look out on from our Chalet. It is a preserve, so there are wild animals on the property.

Therefore, the whole huge area is fenced in with a steel entrance gate that is guarded at all times.
Every night the baboons gather on top of the cliffs to ritually bask in the African sunset. It is wild, open, free and precarious in the balance of safety verses the boldness and danger of the environment. For centuries humankind and wild animals have had a fragile relationship with each other. Each
seems to keep their own measured distance.

This lodge was built by the government for the Venda Tribe...Which meant that any profit after expenses would go to the Venda people. It is beautiful, but the Venda proved to be unable to run it effectively, so, the government reclaimed it and appealed to our friends of TransFrontier Parks Destination (TFPD), Hennie and Glynn, to take over management of the property. This was highly resented by a former contractor (I will call him an alias of Ndao, to keep the characters straight), who wanted to be in charge for his own selfish gain. Then at some point he and a co-hort, with other people they incited, invaded and took over Awelani just like pirates, even though it was illegal. They
practically ruined the whole complex with their vandalism and lack of management abilities.
Finally, a court action ordered them off the property with notification that they could never go
on the property again, TFPD began managing the property, cleaning it up, repairing and
improving the entire complex.

Now fast forward two years... After getting the property usable, cleaned up and adding
features like a swimming pool and outdoor dining capability, it was now at a peak ability to
open for business. The manager won a contract with road contractors who would be repairing and building roads in the area for 2 - 3 years. So it was filled to capacity including us in a lovely, large chalet so we could manage all our inventory for various projects. So, the prime time had come for the “pirates” to invade the property and try to reclaim it. There was sabotage where electrical lines were cut, fires to damage equipment, fences torn down and threatening actions to frighten people.

A large crowd of malcontents recruited by Ndao, gathered at the front gate. They said they
were on “strike,” and were determined to keep anyone from going in or out of the property.
Under the cover of darkness, they would invade the property chopping down trees, setting
fires and creating havoc. The crowd behaved more like a mob and took on its own negative
and threatening energy. If we or the contractors approached the gate, they started yelling and
charging the gates. Obviously “mob mentality” took over reason even though the manager
had met their demands to speak to the Chief and the Headmen. Ndao, kept them aroused to
rage. So, we were unable to leave the property because of their threatening behavior and
lack of control. Thus, it was a hostage situation. The contractors were driven away and not
allowed to come back in, but the manager had several unknown ways to get people on
property and got them in the back way.

Night was the most worrisome as they could get on the property undetected, so we kept our
doors bolted and outside lights on. Our friends Nelson and Frank crossed over the fence and
through the bush to make their way in the dark to our chalet to see if we were alright. They
said it was not safe because Ndao was unstable and could cause a lot of trouble and they
would keep watch for us. The next morning the contractors left before daylight and got out to
go to work. And we managed to get out too. All of us were falling behind schedule.

After checking on all our projects and distributing our mosquito nets, we came back to the
gate. They surrounded our vehicle and began yelling. I saw Ndao leaning back on a tree
stump and got out to talk to him. I asked him is he remembered me and he said “yes.” I
asked, “What were we doing when we were with you two years ago?” He replied, “You were
giving the schools supplies, shoes for the children and clothes.” “Do you not want us to help
your children? We are not part of this argument, would you please allow us to get back in?”
He started to speak to the angry crowd, but they yelled him down. One of the big men menacingly barged up to me and threatened to hit me. CJ nearly went berserk, and started to
get out... I climbed back in our Landy and we backed away quickly and left.

At a safe distance, we called the manager and she told us to go to Masisi and the police
would escort us back. The crowd was getting louder and more hostile. When we got to
Masisi, a policeman met us, nervously told us to follow him to the police station. The police had already been on the scene, but these were their family and neighbors, and they did not want to get involved. Before we got to the police station, the army pulled up and a smart young officer asked if we were the Helping Hands People. The manager had called in the armed troops to help. The officer told us to follow them and they escorted us back to the gate. (above photo) This “no nonsense” officer got out and the crowd shrunk back. There were six soldiers armed to the teeth. When we pulled up to the gate, the crowd realized the army was there in force and parted. After we got into Awelani, the soldiers got out strapped on their bullet proof vests, slung their AK47’s over their shoulders in the site of the rioters. This quietened the rioters down and the wind went right out of their sails. The manager made beds and food available to the soldiers who stayed for two more days to ensure our safety.

Just so you know the end of the story, the Chief called for Ndao to come to him, but Ndao
knew he was furious, so hid in his home. The Chief and Ndao’s Headman took the fight out
of him and reduced him to a shivering, frightened little boy! Very soon, Ndao contacted the
manager and apologized for the trouble he caused and said he would never do it again.
TFPD had to go to court and successfully got a restraining order to keep these hot heads
away. It was like the calvary charged in at the last minute and saved the day! The Chief took
severe actions on the perpetrators and all was calm on the “African Front.”

Now the question is, who pays for all the damage, the army and police time? The rioters
caused about R2,000, 000. worth of damage. I wonder if Ndao might get a little surprise here?
Life is sort of like that, if we live with bad intentions, somehow that turns on us. Sleep well
Ndao...

NEARING THE FINAL CURTAIN FOR ONE MORE YEAR! (May 10, 2016 update)

It was time to say our goodbyes and that was fairly heartbreaking.  Anita had done so much for us and stood up to some amazing challenges while we were under her care. She manages Awelani under some pretty severe conditions.  This was our second year with her and we have grown to love and appreciate each other. So when this year's final curtain was drawn, we all cried like babies.

Then there is our dear friend Hennie.  Hennie has gotten us out of many scrapes, received and stored shipments, advised us, shown us what to do on many occasions. His wise counsel and loyal friendship has made life easier in so many ways. Hennie will be sorely missed. His gentle nature is soothing to our souls.  This network of such great people is our great treasure here.

And then there was Sam. What do you say to such an incredible "Earth Angel?"  She came after our second week in Zimbabwe and wove her way into our work and our hearts. There are so many things to appreciate about her.  Sam is an astute business woman and our synergy expanded with all her contributions. She is a hard and dauntless worker, compassionate with the people we are engaged with and Sam is a great problem solver. What a welcome addition to our team!  Today we will have to say farewell, but we will stay in touch as she plans to come back and help again next year.
Woo who!

Working with Gilbert and Edison to feed orphan school children and provide them other essentials has forged a partnership of world changing events in the lives of their precious school children. These two men are selfless in their passion to help their learners create hope for their future. It is such a privilege to cooperate with such honorable and great men. This was a sad goodbye in deed.

The three families that we've helped for three years to create a community garden under enormous hardships has been inspiring to say the least. The wives, Aida, Rosine, and Jane worked out in 110 to 115 degree sun scorched weather hacking out huge thorn bushes to clear the land while the men fenced it off to keep cattle, donkeys and goats out of their fields. These sturdy people do not carry water out to the fields because they walk there and back; the water would be too heavy. I don't think I could do it. We have become family; goodbye was painful.

Janco and Henriette have become such an important part of all that we do. Janco is our guide, master fixer of all things, and knows where to find everything we need as we go about our business. Henriette tolerantly allows us to store our clothes, camping equipment, dishes, pots and pans, even fans at their home. Janco repairs the Landy as we travel, finds the best and unique places to stay, and is a splendid driver through the roughest terrain, most of the time with a loaded trailer.  We are so happy for them for just getting their HiLux pickup truck. We had such a tearful parting. Saved only by the fact that we know we will see each other in just a year.

We are eager to return to see how our (your's and our) 49 orphans in Zimbabwe. We have made arrangements for another 3 months supply of food to be delivered to these children in July and October. Then we will be back for the next distribution. What a magnificent honor to bring life and hope. It could not have been done without you. Hope ever so fragile lives in the hearts of these children and their guardians now.

It was a thrill to continue to witness Trust, Modester and her sister start up another successful business with their Tuck Shop. They sell chicken by the piece also in the shop. They continue to inspire us with their drive and hard work. Now it has extended to another family member who can now take care of her 4 children.

Getting the Dadani Library finally got more than half the books we sent 2 years ago.  Janco will take the rest of the boxes in July when he goes to take food to our orphans in Zimbabwe.

How wonderful for all these children. And Nyasha is now Librarian over a whole room full of books. Kumalo and CT have written me twice thanking us again and again for all the books. What a successful effort our community, Church, and friends accomplished!!

STILL REMINISCING...

We are anxious to find sponsors for these 23 High School orphans.  I will send you samples of their letters of gratitude in another Blog. Their ability to stay in school and to focus so they can learn is increased one hundred fold just by feeding them. If you would like to be part of a noble endeavor and become a sponsor to one or more of these children please call me on 248-514-3022 or email me on sid4wayne@gmail.com. You will be giving life and hope. That is a pretty incredible thing to be able to do.

We will sorely miss these little guys who still know how to experience joy. It is so gratifying to help them.

And these children who run along side us when we drive through the villages.

Our seven orphans at Tshikuyu Primary School are in our hearts and also need sponsors.

Sights like this child drives us to work harder to help them. The reward is unspeakable.

And these little guys who couldn't believe people from far away care enough to bring them shoes.

It is hard to leave such an untamed and exotic setting. How amazing that our Venda people can live in such an unsure environment.  Africa is imprinted on my soul with its people and wild life. To see the elephants and giraffes sharing a watering hole with Impala and zebra is pretty incredible as we go about our work. I will miss this unique place.  Watch for more as I draw this year's experience to a close. So, here I sit in my Michigan home (just got here) at this very moment feeling the conflict of a yearning to be in my beloved Africa and the joy of being home with my family and friends. Until the next time... A little more will come about The Bush.  I still must share a few other experiences.  O, There was the hostage situation!!!! But now that it is safely over, I'll save it for... The next time...

CELEBRATIONS AND GOODBYE'S... (May 9, 2016 update)

To end our stay in the 5 Venda Villages, we organized a goodbye dinner at Awelani.

L to R are Chief William and his Headmen. At the head of the table is Pastor Adziliwi Budeli who opened the evening with motivating thoughts, gratitude and prayer.

Other attendees were people involved in some of the projects we have going in the villages.  Here are the 3 Families who work a Community Garden. L to R are Rosina and husband Titos, Jane and husband Frank and Aida and husband Nelson.  We have been working with them for 3 years.

This is the "School Table."  R to L are Gilbert, Fhetani H.S. Principal, Jane, School Chairperson and Edison, Tshikuyu Primary Principal.  We served a traditional Venda meal of chicken stew over their beloved mealie meal.

A person representing each project shared about their project and how it helped them. Pastor Budeli talked about the half year supply of food for their little Creche, about the "store" for the people around the area of his Church; how they were able to buy clothes for almost nothing, and take care of their children. He also shared about HHTH helping them with their vision of taking in orphans, educating them and getting them out of their destitute situation.  Gilbert Mbedzi interpreted for us.  Then he shared how feeding 23 orphans in his school will help them to concentrate better and be able to "want" to achieve their goals. Gilbert was also very grateful for the reconditioned iPad and the computer that will allow him to bring better lessons to his learners and be able to network with not only his teachers, but also other principals.

Willie, the chef was surprised by a pair of shoes presented to him.  We noticed his shoes were falling apart and he worked so hard to feed us good meals while we were at Awelani. He could hardly believe that he was getting shoes!

The Headmen that we were unable to distribute mosquito nets to for their people were given the nets to distribute to pregnant women, young mothers and the elderly. This is a coveted possession.  Malaria still has a devastating effect on their lives.

Gifts were wrapped in wrap around skirts and headdresses I made for each recipient's wife.  It is customary to give a gift to the Chief and the Headmen, and we did. The Chief had asked for a suit last year, so, CJ found good suits at the Salvation Army and got one for the Chief and all the headmen.

However, since the Chief must always get more than anyone else, he received a shirt and tie as well.  And all their wives received the wrap skirts and headdresses. We saw them wearing their new clothes the very next day.

Then we were delightfully entertained by the High School girls who performed their Traditional Dances for us.  They were so excited to dance for all us, particularly their Chief.

Everyone felt so good about all the work going on in the villages and they wanted photos taken for us.  Peoples lives are changing a little at a time and there is a beautiful color of hope in the air. Sharing all of this at a common meal was very important and exciting for them. They now know that HHTH is a positive force for good in their lives and they know we will be back.

The traditional dancers were happy to have their photo taken and they felt truly appreciated. All of the gratitude was so warming and came from their hearts.

It is hard to say goodbye, but the time had come to leave our beloved Villages and start our long trip home.

There is more to come.... So, until next time... Goodnight from The Bush . . .

INSPIRATION TO GO BEYOND POVERTY... (May 7, 2016 update)

HHTH continues our fight against poverty with the Fhetai High School where Gilbert Mbedzi is principal.  Pastor Adziliwi Budeli is passionately offering hope to leave poverty behind.  He graciously gave us permission to use his Church to distribute food to the High School orphans and their guardians.

Gilbert interpreted Pastor Adziliwi's message with the same spirit and we were all moved by his message of hope and vision for these young people.

After Pastor's message, one of the guardians asked to speak and he expressed his deep gratitude toward people in a far away country who did not know their children but cared enough to help them.  A few dollars from all of us has sent a great message of inspiration to these people.

Sam, CJ, and volunteers filled the tubs with cooking oil, sugar, tea, milk, canned meat and T-Shirts, while Janco and helpers unloaded 25 kg's of their main staple, mealie meal, for each child.  This amount of food will feed one child for about 3 months.

Below are some of the Fhetani High School children who have lost both parents.

Baloyi Rabelani pronounced Ba-Loy Ra-be-Lah-ni.  This boy's first name is Rabelani and is most likely called Rabie.

Here is a delightful young woman who is called Winnie Chauke. Gilbert told us if we were giving school supplies and clothes or food. The most important to these children is food because they can't concentrate or focus when they are so hungry.

This is the group of 23 high school orphans who are in need of nutrition. We want to thank all of you who donate to Helping Hands Touching Hearts Charity.  Your outreach is far and the appreciation for your help is great.  We also want to thank those of you who are already sponsoring an orphan(s). Your support is a powerful blessing to these children.

How significant you are in the life of these dear ones.

Until next time... From The Bush!

THE TSHIKUYU SPECIAL SEVEN... (May 4, 2016 udpate)

This is Khwerana Rokunda (pronounced - Quer-ana  Ro-kun-da) and he is a special little boy. He has lost both his parents, but he has not lost his hope.  Khwerana is one of the seven orphans we work with at the Tshikuyu Primary School. We are so grateful that Terese Pohl has decided to sponsor this little guy.

With Terese's sponsorship, Khwerana received his first supply of food.  A sponsor can feed a child for only $25. per month, and they will also receive  a pair of shoes and clothes for the year.  This will relieve the hunger that makes life so hard for children like Khwerana. Poverty is merciless.

He is one of the seven special children who need sponsors in this little school.  The children's guardians came to carry the food home, and their gratitude was humbling.  If you think you would like to help a child be able to eat and keep them in school, you would know your efforts made such a significant difference in the life of that child.  Contact me on email:  sid4wayne@gmail.com  or call me on 248-514-3022.

One day at a time... One little life at a time.... We can defeat poverty.

Happy wishes to you...  Until next time, from The Bush...

AFRICA, THE LAND OF ENDLESS ADVENTURES! (May 3, 2016 update)

Woke up this morning to a sad Jabulani, our Land Rover. Thieves had come in the night, broke out the very back passenger window and stole CJ's camera.

The heart break of it is that she lost ALL HER PHOTOS!  She felt the worth of the camera was less a loss than the photos because they were of all our little orphans in Zimbanwe. I have several photos, but CJ had painstakingly taken individual shots of each and every orphan for their sponsors. We will have to get Janco to take them again when he goes back in July for their next big food delivery. Fortunately no one was hurt. It is just a difficult inconvenience.

This is nurse Mercia (which means "Gift from God") who is one of the sweet ladies who have given me daily I.V.'s of antibiotics.  We are not sure what the cause, maybe allergy to bush I've walked through, or possibly a tiny spider bite but my foot swelled up like Mickey Mouse and something had to be done. Each day it gets better. Their medical capability is quite good here. So, I am comfortable with the progress. 

THE MIRACLE OF A PAIR OF SHOES...

Each year we try to provide shoes for the children at Tshikuyu Primary School. This year we really didn't have enough in the budget, but Sam wanted to sponsor getting the shoes. It is so hot here, and the danger of infecting feet from walking barefooted makes it necessary for these children to have shoes so they can walk to school... And they walk a far distance.

So, we are truly grateful to Sam for her act of kindness for these 11 children. We asked their teachers for their shoes sizes and bought the boys and girls their school shoes.

They literally quiver with excitement when they see the shoes because, often it is their very first pair!  Then there is that little dread that a pair won't fit and it is an all day ordeal to go buy the shoes.  Nine children got the right size.

The largest boy and the tiniest girl tried, but their shoes just would not fit. Their disappointment took us to our knees.  So, we went back to the tried and true way of drawing their feet. The little guys had to wait a week, but we were able to get Anita at Awelani to pick the new shoes up on her next trip in for supplies.  The shoes were delivered to the Principal the night before we left. The children were all happy then.  It was a good ending for a fairy tale.

"TALKING ABOUT CAVES..." (May 1, 2016 update)

Janco showed us  another extraordinary cave on Awelani property.  It is amazing and became the logo for Awelani.   Because this is a preserve, there is a lot of "Bush" for the animals.

In this wonderful place, there are ancient petroglyphs hunters painted of these walls of the local elephants. Though they look more like an ant eater, these drawings depict what these hunters witnessed and wanted to hunt. It actually felt like a place of reverence. It felt as if we were intimately included in what the hunters were thinking and feeling.

So, you can see this emblem on the Awelani vehicles, and stationary.
What a mystical way to bring the old into the new and make a statement about what Awelani represents.

Goodnight from..."The Bush..."