May 26th - Juranek's

This morning we woke up early and fought to get out of bed.  It’s winter here and the beds are so warm! We layered some clothes, drank some warm dirty water (their instant coffee) and went to our eLangeni Primary School where Suzie, the cook, was excited to see us! She had been cooking alone, since 6am (as she does every single day) and was thrilled to find relief!  We spent the next few hours finishing the preparations of the rice and stew that we distributed to the eager, hungry children.  As Bob was stirring the stew for the 634 children, he commented that Carole usually only had to cook for 3, so she should be working harder in the states.  At this point, Carole replied now that she knew Bob was a learned chef, she no longer had to cook at all… then, it was as if Dr. Bob wore his white jacket … the head teacher came to report about her stubbed toe, or gout, or arthritis – one of the above.  And the Msibi crew spoke of their back aches, headaches, and flu-like symptoms… Dr. Bob had the answers – and the advil – for the all!

Then, we delivered our emergency food packages of rice, beans, cooking oil, chicken stock, peanut butter, peanuts, candles, matches, sanitary pads and soap.  We had our fearless leader Bheki guiding us to the otherwise unnavigable mountains to the children’s homesteads.  Once arriving at the homesteads, our fear was not over – we had to navigate past the watch dogs!  Bheki, armed with only a stick and his loud voice, ruthlessly scared the monster-dogs away.   I hid behind my fearless husband Tyler who was also carrying a stick but did not look quite as fearless. 

The hardest thing to learn this trip was that two of our families did not have proper bedding.  The Msibis were sleeping on the cold concrete floor – all 7 of them (3 of which had the flu).  And the Maziya’s were sharing an old foam cot that no longer had support.  We searched for affordable options to no avail until Evan found a cheap option in OK-Furniture.  Then, his mom Carole tried to further reduce the price with some negotiations begging for the orphans! We soon delivered a new bed, sheets and pillows to the Msibi family as well as to the Maziya family whom we surprised before they got home from school.

We rise bright and early tomorrow to Malindza Community – more to follow.  Thanks for your support! www.ifightpoverty.org/donate.html