Lots to be positive about

Helen: Liz, Moira and Helen accompanied a team from 1000 Hills Clinic to observe and help with an out reach clinic in one of the poorer areas. Around 30 children and adults attended with various complaints from coughs to probable sexually transmitted disease.

The afternoon saw the nurses take off in the ambulance with some of the clinic staff to do some home visits; an elderly man who was off his feet, a young boy with what we thought was cerebral palsy. We also delivered a couple of food parcels.

Still a few hours left and we went on to the build and moved more than a 100 breeze blocks into position for the boys.

Mark: The build team (Alan, Barry and Mark) started the day by developing a cunning strategy to manhandle the roof trusses into place while the local builders worked on the internal walls and doors.  We had cheese rolls for lunch.  The afternoon was spent moving breeze blocks, securing the roof trusses then attaching felt to the aforementioned trusses.  The felt will be completed tomorrow in the warm sunshine that Charlie has promised.

Day 4: Start

Day 4: Afternoon

Day 4: Evening

Charlie: I can’t report lots of manual labour, or major achievements but contrary to the rest of the teams jibing I have been working. This morning I visited Sithembakuye and was happily impressed with the progress this project is making. They have started a crafting project using recycled materials and in a partnership with a local business woman. I will be visiting Sithembakuye again next week and hope to report some further exciting developments.

I then visited the valley with some old contacts and I enjoyed going back and seeing some old friends. The situation is still very poor in the surrounding valley’s and families consist of only young children, HIV and TB are still rife and inadequate services and education continue to compound all the issues.

I then visited Theresa a retired nurse who decided to open a care home for children in her community.  Even though government offices promised support they still have not even met the most basic needs. However they continue to send children which need shelter. Its a very difficult situation and Theresa really has a big heart as she could easily turn the children away.

Still so many exciting projects to visit, so many people to meet, and so much to learn. I need another month rather than two weeks. Still it’s been an all round positive day and the building continues to beat their estimations. With the ladie's help tomorrow the house will be well on its way!