Day 3

Day 3:

Today was such a heartwarming day.  This morning we ran a zillion errands to prepare for our work this coming week.  More to come about the purchases when they are actually put to use…

On our drive, we turned on one of the two Swazi radio stations and started FREAKING OUT!  One of our kiddos, Sizo, is an R&B aspiring singer and one of his original songs was playing.  We turned the volume up and started jamming to our favorite superstar!

This afternoon we met up with the college kids at Nando’s.  It is always awesome and heartwarming seeing them grown and successful.  After dinner, when we were back at the guesthouse, Kait and I started sharing photos and footage of these same kids when they were itty bitty.  They’ve come so far! They’ve worked SO hard!  The kids we took tonight are the opposite of shy and they opened up to our team about where they came from and where they want to go in life.  Sizo, our songbird, just graduated from his collegiate teaching program and has started at his first permanent teaching post – teaching English and SiSwati.  Lungelo is entering his 5^th of 6 years in an accounting program at the University of Swaziland.  Joe & Kristen, thanks for your help with RSM, he met with the head of HR last week and got  the sweetest most encouraging email from her this week.  He is excited to work hard in the “real world” soon.  Mirriam is working at the hotel while applying for jobs in her field (worksite safety and health), but in the meantime, she is working her way up and working at the reception desk next week!  Bongani is doing well in high school and trying to start a nationwide initiative to stop ritual killings.  Around election time, there are often decapitations and mutilation of children in effort to sway elections.  It’s awesome to watch our kids becoming change agents for their country with Mphilo wanting to advocate on behalf of the raped and abused…and Bongani wanting to fight against the belief in witchcraft resulting in ritual killings.  “Alone we can do so little.  Together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller. 

I’m so proud of my Swazi family! Thank you for helping them achieve their dreams… I’m going to sleep tonight thankful for you and inspired by them.  http://swazilandannie.blogspot.com

PS we’re needing some flash drives for the college kids since they often work in computer labs at school and internet cafes for their school work – preferably larger sized.  Anyone have one they’re willing to donate?  I’ll trade you an IRS receipt for your donation 😉 9 West Hazel Dell Lane, Springfield IL 62703