Once Met, Never Forgotten.

It has been 10 months since I left Mthatha, South Africa where I worked as a volunteer for Project Trust and not a day goes by that I don’t think about my kids at Bethany Home or the incredible people who I worked with.  I had the absolute pleasure to work with some truly inspiring people throughout my year there.  One of which was Sister Mary Paule.  Sister founded Bethany Children’s Home and has been actively involved in it ever since.  As time went on she stepped down as director but always stayed on the board of directors and kept a very keen interest in the home and her children; as well as living in the convent next to Bethany Home.

Yesterday evening I heard the devastating news that Sister Mary’s car had been hijacked and that she was missing.  They discovered her car abandoned on the side of the road but no sign of her.  Unfortunately this morning her body was discovered in a nearby river, the cause of death hasn’t been released but a gun was also found so I think most can put two and two together.  Sister Mary was a huge part of my year in South Africa and the most inspirational person I have ever had the pleasure to know and work with.  She gave her life to support and help those less fortunate than her and I just wish that everyone could have known her to learn a lesson or two.  Whenever I was in need of support or even just a chat, I could always rely on her to bring my spirits up; there was something very calming and soothing about being around her.  I remember the first time I met her and knowing I was from London asked how the London 2012 Olympics were, and then she proceeded to roll off lots of facts about the games and the winners of the medals.  It never ceased to amaze me how up-to-date she was with everything that was going on around her, despite living in a more rural part of South Africa.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Sister Mary. I only knew her for a year but she had such a huge impact on me personally, I couldn’t even begin to thank her enough when I left Bethany Home.  Although there is anger at the situation and it seems so unjust that this should happen to such a lady, I believe she wouldn’t want people to dwell on that, but carry on the work she spent her whole life doing.

Without any doubt Sister Mary touched and saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives through her selfless work and that is something that should be remembered and celebrated.  May she rest in peace.

Most insirational person I have ever met - May 2013

The End of the Road

So my time at Bethany Home has come to an end.  I can’t quite believe it; these last 12 months have flown by!  But without a shadow of doubt, this year has been the most incredible, humbling and best year of my life!  I’ve learnt more about myself and grown in so many ways.  It hasn’t always been easy, I had to face some huge challenges, which really tested my strength; but then again I've made some of the best memories that will stay with me forever!  Each and every child I have met this year has touched my heart in such a positive way; their strength, courage and beauty never ceases to amaze me.  They show me unconditional love and trust even though they have been let down by adults in their past.  I can’t begin to describe how much I will miss all my umhle abantwana (beautiful children)! Watching them grow and develop everyday is a once in a lifetime.  I’m proud to say that I spent a year of my life in Africa and I can safely say, everyone at Bethany have given me more than I could have ever given them.  Bethany Home Place of Safely will always have a very special place in my heart and there is no doubt that I will be back again!!
Even though it’s incredibly sad to leave and I would give an arm and a leg to stay, I know that my time is finished and I have to let the next volunteers have the same incredible experiences.  I wish them all the best of luck and please look after all my children.  They deserve all the love in the world and more!!

I was reading a poem the other day and this verse really describes my feelings for Africa:

I am an African,
Not because I live on its soil,
But because my soul is at home in Africa
I am an African,
For her blue skies take my breath away,
And my hope for the future is bright,
I am an African,
For her people greet me as family,
And teach me the meaning of community,
I am an African,
For her wilderness quenches my spirit,
And brings me closer to the source of life.

60 Things I Will Miss About Africa...

1.      My children

2.      Peoples energy

3.      Beautiful friendly faces

4.      Having my own little flat

5.      Sun all year around

6.      Coffee Bay

7.      Travelling

8.      Mama Pondo

9.      Hospital visits

10.  Everyone’s mutual love for Nelson Mandela

11.  Peoples positivity in every situation

12.  Nandos

13.  Nightshifts

14.  The beautiful Transki

15.  My African family

16.  Living with 70 children

17.  Being called Mama

18.  Loving each child like they are my own

19.  Knowing they love me no matter what

20.  Trying to understand Xhosa

21.  Day trips with the kids

22.  Biltong

23.  Castle Lite Beer

24.  Watching my children grow

25.  Not seeing Qhawe take her first steps L

26.  Sundowners

27.  Sending news home

28.  The African night sky

29.  Rose & Benie

30.  Learning a new culture and way of life

31.  The verity South Africa has to offer

32.  The incredible people I’ve met travelling

33.  Flat parties

34.  Cape Town

35.  South Africa Project Trust 12/13 Country Group

36.  Driving a battered Avanva (I’ve learnt to love her though!)

37.  My children singing and dancing

38.  Putting the kids to bed and goodnight kisses

39.  Bathing the babies

40.  Feeding times

41.  Being proposed to on a regular basis by African men

42.  My braids!! (With they were acceptable for white people in the UK!)

43.  Backpackers

44.  African music

45.  African dancing

46.  African parties!

47.  Being a Project Trust volunteer

48.  The ‘Rainbow Nation’

49.  Braaing

50.  2 minute noodles

51.  Being a part of something as incredible as Bethany

52.  Learning something new about myself everyday

53.  Debonaries pizza nights

54.  Long Life UHT milk (NAAATT – give me some fresh milk in my face!)

55.  Spoiling my kids

56.  Walks around the compounds with my kiddies “VUNA WALKIE!”

57.  Movie nights with the kids

58.  South Africa

59.  Mthatha

60.  MY HOME <3

Wimpy Trip

On Wednesday morning 30 children from Bethany Home were treated to lunch at Wimpy in town.  This trip was kindly funded by my mum and her work colleagues after she did a collection before coming to visit me.  So a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated from Pfizer, the kids had such a great time and it was a perfect way to treat my kids in my last week!!

After we dressed the 30 children in matching tracksuits, we squeezed them all into 2 cars!! (very illegal in the UK but very legal in South Africa!).  Here are a few pictures from our lovely trip out:




Squeezing into the bakkie



Space for one more?



EXCITED!



Simphewe 1 & 2



Waiting patiently for their food..



Imange & Nomsa



After a lovely lunch at Wimpy



Kuhle helping to serve the costumers

JJ!



Munching on a massive burger!

HAPPY!



One juice wasn't enough for Ovio

Best Friends




We Love Wimpy!

A weekend with my African Mama out in the sticks

This weekend I had the privilege to go and stay with Mama Nomapondo at her house out in the rural areas of Mthatha.  The village where she and her huge family live is called Tyumbu.  A few weeks back Nomapondo told me that she was soon to be celebrating her nephews ‘coming of age’.  She then asked if I would join her and the rest of the family for the celebrations… I didn’t hesitate in saying yes!!

As the ceremony was happening in Comfimvaba – a very small rural village in the mountains, 4 hours outside Mthatha – I had to stay over on Friday night as we were set to leave at 5am Saturday morning.  Arriving in Friday night, I was greeted by Mama (the head of the house) and about 10 other family members; everyone was tightly packed into a small 4 bedroom house.  I was desperate for a wee so I asked Nomapondo if I could go to the toilet, to which she handed me a small bucket!! Thinking about it, I was being pretty stupid to think they had a toilet when the house didn’t even have running water!  But it was an experience and I think my nerves got the better of me, as I only used the bucket a handful of times over the weekend!  That night I slept in a double bed with Nomapondo, her 10 month old son, Kunga and 5 year old daughter, Luhle,  it was very cosy!!  Then the 4am wakeup call arrived, I had a bath in a bucket (please note it was a different one to the one I had previously used!!) and got dressed into the traditional Xhosa wear, beads and all!  I defiantly felt the part J   Still half asleep I got into the taxi and thought to myself ‘great, 4 hours in a taxi, I’ll catch up on some sleep.’  Until everyone started to sing at the top of their voices! I then though ‘OK, they’ll quieten down in half hour, I’ll sleep then.’ Oh how wrong I was! A full 4 hours of singing and chanting but their energy was incredible and I loved it!

We arrived in the small village of Cofimvaba then continued to drive for another hour along a dirt road into the mountains.  The views were breathtaking and everyone’s energy was incredible.’ The day consisted of lots more singing, dancing, slaughtering of a sheep and SO MUCH FOOD! It was an amazing day and one I won’t forget anytime soon!  The traditional Xhosa culture and celebrations are really something to witness!  I love their family bonds and sense of community.  Although very basic, I think we could learn a lesson or two about valuing what we have and not to be so greedy.

On Sunday morning I was woken up by the two children I was sharing a bed with by being jumped on.  It was a beautifully sunny day so all the family was outside on the farm doing laundry, herding the sheep, goats and cows and preparing the freshly slaughtered chicken (FYI, chickens DO carry on running after you chop the head off!!!).  I spent the day cooking with Pumeza, who decided Sally was too English and renamed me ‘Nwabisa’, which translate to ‘to make others happy!’:D You may now all call me Nwabisa Anne Stone!!

When it came to saying goodbye on Sunday evening I really didn’t want to leave!  I honestly had one of the best weekends since being in Africa and it was an incredibly humbling experience!  They may not have a lot of material wealth but when it comes to happiness and family, they couldn’t be richer!



My Mama!

Nomapondo & me dressed in the Traditional Xhosa clothes

Pumeza & Me

Me & Kunga



Nomapondo & Kunga

Me & Luhle



Traditional face painting & head wear



Pumeza

Mama!!