annie in swaziland

Day 2: eLangeni Pre-School and FOODOM feeding deliveries! 

What an amazing busy day!! This morning we went straight to the pre-school where the most energetic person I have ever met, Nelly, educates 55 (mostly orphaned) children with absolutely no resources. Literally none.   This fall, Jacksonville Illinois’ First Presbyterian Church women’s group: WinGS, held a “GHFP Painting for a Purpose Party” and painted the alphabet on canvases.  We hung those canvases today in the eLangeni Pre-School and Nelly & the kids were hysterically happy!  This is currently the only thing hanging on the walls of this classroom and the kids couldn’t be more excited about the new addition.  They also raised $800 from their painting party which was spent today on play materials (hula hoops, basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs/bats, swingball (tetherball), bean bags, colorful cones for racing games) and building supplies (chalkboard, corkboard, bright yellow paint, and concrete for the stage).  They are now asking for paintings of the numbers and money for chairs and carpets so the children do not have to sit on the cold concrete floor…anyone want to host a painting fundraiser!?!??! We played with the kids the rest of the morning.  Angie had a dance-off, Haley killed it at a duck-duck-goose game, and Ty threw the kids in the air creating a line infinitely long of children who also wanted to fly.

Afterward we went to four child-headed homes to deliver FOODOM food (thank you Mitali).  These children told us yesterday that they hadn’t eaten in days.  We have 11 more homes to deliver food in the next 6 days.  I want to boast for a moment about my off-roading skills.  When Njabuliso told me to turn left, Ty asked “Where?!?!?!”. But I knew that little dirt spot next to the big rock but avoiding the huge tree was indeed a Swazi “road”.   I almost flipped the Nissan Cashqai a few times, but we made it up and down the dirt roads with a few crossed fingers and toes (mine were crossed so hard I have a permanent toe cramp).   

Tomorrow we are up earlier than the birds to meet with the Ministry of Education about our new Primary School for orphans we are building in Malindza, so it’s goodnight from Swaziland!  

 The only thing on the walls of our pre-school - WinGS women alphabet paintings! The kids love it!

 Our empty pre-school in need of color, pictures, and love....Painting for a Purpose Party in December, anyone?

 Haley in the "Thumbs up, Knees together" Game.

 Angie mesmerized by the play, and the orphans mesmerized by her.

 Ty throwing the kids in the air, and the kids lining up to be next!

 Our eLangeni pre-schoolers enjoying their new alphabet canvas' created by the WinGS women!