Our little ones gathered for morning prayers. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
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375 who have found their way from the homes in the surrounding hills and valleys. 375 homes from where we have been entrusted with the care of their most precious - their children. 375 who have received excellent care by our seven caregivers. 375 who have enjoyed the meals prepared for them by our two cooks, growing fit and strong. 375 children, represented here by two school girls now attending high school, busy getting an education, building on the groundwork that was done at Endlovini! We - I - have so much to be thankful for! When preparing the little pamphlet describing the work at the project, we chose as our motto; TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE. This has sustained us, this has kept us going!
Not quite, maybe he couldn't follow instructions for his reindeer to find the way? Not to worry! Another more dependable benefactor found means to deliver gifts to our creche children. Again, great excitement as each of the close on 100 children received a little teddy bear. One of their very own! Not only a gift for the class! Our little ones are doing so well! Even though some of our children's parents/grandparents/caregivers are not able to pay the small fee we request, no child is turned away!! This is a burden on our budget. Should any of my readers see means to sponsor one if these little ones, it would be most appreciated! In fact, it would be a tremendous help! Contact me and I will assist in the practical matters, assuring that the funds are correctly received and recorded! With these beautiful hand puppets made by my dear ladies at Endlovini, come my very best wishes for a peaceful and joyous Christmas celebration! My last tour of duty was a period of seven weeks. All that time the ladies were hard at work, enjoying fellowship, gossip and teatime, producing 63 dolls. Much positive and creative input from all in deciding just HOW the dolls should look and their rolle in the nativity. They also completed an order for 36 sunglass satchets. One nativity set was given to the creche, along with a presentation for all staff members, to ensure that the creche teachers knew how to use them. THANK YOU to the many who have followed us through the year! I hope the news postings on our website have been read and enjoyed. All are little tit-bits of information about life at Endlovini. NOTE the beautiful angel. IF anyone would like to order an angel for NEXT Christmas, I'll be happy to hear from you. She, Gabriella, measures 36 cm and is available for NOK 150. Øystein and I ran into a spot of trouble when we were headed for Mtunzini for shopping. Unhappy residents at Obanjeni complaining about the poor conditions of the roads. This they made known by creating burning road blocks in many places, and throwing rocks at vehicles attempting to pass - and toi-toiing. We made a quick retreat!
Later, even with several police cars patrolling the area, it took days to settle down. Luckily for us, there is an alternate route, albeit a little longer. It revealed more of the beauty and tranquility of the Endlovini area! Endlovini has been blessed with the presence of a young volunteer for a period of four weeks. His name is Øystein, 23 years, fit and able! We put him to work and are delighted with the results.... A complete renovation of the Board Room (originally built as a hen house), repairing and painting walls, ceiling and floor, Making 63 wooden stands for hand puppets made by the crafts ladies, Scraping and painting walls in the guest bathroom, Driving the 4x4 for shopping of supplies and hardware, and fetching sand from the beach for the creche sandpit, Taking part in children's activities, Building and hanging new swings for the creche, Improving our gravel /dirt driveway (attempting, at least) . However "all work and no play makes ... a dull boy" so a carrot dangled in front of him was a cage dive amongst sharks! Thank you Øystein! Due to a most generous gift from Balder, a trust in Norway and long-time supporters of Endlovini, we have finally realised the wish of staff and administration to put our dedicated hospice/care center staff in uniform. Here we have Mrs.Gumede and Mrs Dlamini trying on their new jackets for size. We have placed orders for 22 tops, 22 skirts, 22 slips, 22 hose and 22 pairs of shoes. In addition, 6 pairs of shoes for the other staff members : 2 cooks, house mother, bookkeeper, cleaner and Coordinator. Great excitement! Need I say more?! so well taken care of by Mr.Mhlongo. We have two night watchmen at Endlovini, Mr.Mhlongo is assisted by Mr.Tabethe. They share the duty so that at all times, after children and caregivers have left, the premises and all within are under supervision. I was a little amused when, shortly after I arrived at Endlovini, church members brought up the question of security. I was reluctant, not wanting to give the impression that I feared for my safety. I was quickly assured that it was not because of my humble being, it was for the car! For years, before the garage was built, the vehicle was parked right outside my window, with the night watch not too far away. Once, when we had pushed the vehicle down the hill in the hopes of being able to jump-start it (we failed), the car sat there all night before help could be called. Mr.Mhlongo promptly decided he had to keep guard, so he took his chair down to the car and kept vigil. He feared that if not, we might find the vehicle without tyres the next morning! It is comforting for us all, when night falls, that these two gentlemen are there, making their rounds. Thank you!! |
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A project of hope... Archives
August 2020
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