Blessed

Well I'm another year older, not sure how I feel about being on the up and up to 30. My housemates here took me out to an authentic South African restaurant for my birthday and we had a blast. The place had a live band so after dinner we got to have a dance party and they pulled me onstage and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was quite embarrassing; but I have to admit, I did feel quite special. I was worried about having my birthday in another country with new people but I definitely felt loved. For those of you who know me well enough, you would be very impressed that I ate ostrich, kudu, springbok, and duck all in one night and actually liked them. After a fun night out, we had to go back on shift and the kids were crazy. We tried to do playdoh with them and it lasted about 15 minutes. It can be so hard sometimes when they don't understand us and vice versa, but every now and then there are those moments that just make the whole thing worth while. My goal was to get Thozama, who is one and a half, to walk by the end of my time here...and this past shift, I did it! I've been working with her everytime I've been there and finally she will walk back and forth between us volunteers. It warmed my heart to see her giggle as she was walking around the room. I've realized that without us volunteers, these kids wouldn't get the stimulation that every kid needs to grow into young adults. Any doubts that I have had about being here were lost in that moment of her accomplishing something so simple, but yet so important to someone of her age. After this shift was over, I went on a Winelands tour which is funny since I don't even like wine. It was free since I am switching projects in a few weeks to help them out so I figured why not. The scenery was beautiful and I did get to pet a cheetah. I have caught a cold again so hopefully it will pass soon. I just can't seem to stay well here, I just keep catching whatever everyone else has. The joys of sharing a house with a crazy amount of people and being around kids. I am almost at the halfway mark of my trip and I feel truly blessed to be experiencing everything that I have so far. 

To The Sky

It has been a little while since I posted on here, it's not cause I'm dead, our internet has just been out at the house. I'm finally starting to get into the routine here. Nothing much has changed since my last blog. Just the usual 3 days with the kids and 3 days of exploring Cape Town. I did however go skydiving last week as an early birthday present to myself. It was one of the most freeing experiences I've ever had. Not to mention, it was a killer view! I hope everyone out there reading this is doing well and I'll be back soon, hopefully with more interesting updates. 

Masi

This past week and a half has been insane! Everyone has been sick and I think we just keep passing it back and forth. On my first shift at Masi, I was only able to be with the kids one day cause I seemed to have caught some stomach virus that some of the other girls in the house had. It was a good day though, I got a taste of what the kids there are like. Luckily I started to feel better once we came home and was able to enjoy a tour that took us to the Cape of Good Hope. We were also able to see some penguins along the way, although to my disappointment we were not able to touch them. I just got home today from my second shift at Masi and boy was it hard work. Working from 7am-7pm is a long day when everyone is begging for your attention. They are some of the sweetest kids though and I already want to bring a few home with me. Masigcine, or Masi for short, is a children's home for orphaned and abused children. So some of these kids have families it is just that the government has deemed them not suitable for the children to stay with. Some do however get the option to go home on the weekends as long as their families are taking the necessary steps to better the home environment. Some however do not have families and the other kids have become their family. It is sweet to see how they look out for one another, but being a family means they also fight quite a bit. This can sometimes be hard on us volunteers because they think it's funny when we say no don't hit and then continue to do it. There are a few children there with health problems but no one seems to really know what is wrong with them and they do not have the resources to figure it out. It breaks my heart to know that these kids are not receiving the proper treatment. I just have to remind myself that at least they have a home and are not on the streets or being abused. I am just trying my best to show them love and be someone who cares for them. It's harder than I thought and I am being challenged everyday. 

We aren't suppose to have favorites, but Thozama is mine

Emotional Rollercoaster

Being here has been harder than I anticipated. The first week seemed to drag on and on. I caught something on the plane so my first shift at the orphanage was miserable. I didn't get out of bed much so I didn't have much interaction with the children. The times I did spend with them were difficult. They are a wild bunch and don't really listen to you. The place is a little less sanitary than I would like but I guess something like that is to be expected. At this particular orphanage, you don't really have the opportunity to work with any kids over 3 years of age so I have decided to switch projects in hopes that I will be able to have interaction with all ages. I start my new shift on Friday and find myself anxious again at the thought of starting something new all over. For those who don't know how this works, I do 3 days on and 3 days off. You stay in a little flat in the township where the orphanage is for your 3 day shift and then on the fourth morning you come home and have 3 days to explore Cape Town. Today we went horse back riding on the beach and it was absolutely breathtaking. I am starting to feel a little more at home here; but if you are the praying type, just keep me in mind as I start a new shift on Friday as I am rather quite nervous. Love to you all!

Foxxy Roxxy and I

On the back of Table Mountain with Cape Flats in the background

I made it!

Well I made it here safe and sound last night. It was a very tiring journey. I woke up this morning and found myself emotional overwhelmed by everything, but the girls here that I have met so far have been extremely nice and helpful. I find myself missing home more than I expected, but I'm sure that when it comes time to leave here I won't want to. Tomorrow we start at the orphanage and I am slightly nervous but excited to get this show on the road. Love you all!

And for those who have asked, the address here is:
8 Sussex Road
Observatory, South Africa   7925

Twas the night before the plane ride...

I can't believe the time has finally come for me to say goodbye to Georgia and hello to South Africa.  After many hours of preparation and many dollars spent (thank you so much to those of you who contributed, you know who you are and this couldn't have been possible without you), I'm finally packed and ready to go! This whole blogging thing is new to me and I am still trying to figure it all out so please bear with me. I will try my best to at least write on here once a week so everyone will know what I've been up to and that yes, I am still alive and have not been captured and sold into some sort of slavery. I love you all and can't thank you enough for your love and support!