Khayelihle Dec 07

The visit to the orphanage turned out to be a fun-filled day of song and games with the kids. We met a lot of wonderful kids who happily and excitedly welcomed us to their home. Our intention had been to teach them new games and new songs but alas, not only did they know most of what we had planned to teach them, they had a couple of new songs to teach us.



Highlights of the day included Musalad, Gody failing to give a speech in Shona. (Chamai chakaramba kubuda). This was before he proceeded to lead us all in a popular slogan which he thoroughly distorted, though he and fellow Masalad would prefer to say he remixed the slogan. Senior Sewage and Plumbing Works Engineer Wadza led the kids in a rather energetic song which the kids (and students) enjoyed. The rains could have dampened our day but the kids uplifted our spirits as they led us in a heart warming praise and worship. This in my opinion more than compansated for the Jabulani concert we had failed to have the previous night. In addition Our Ever Willing Volunteer, Lennon came up with a rather noisy indoor game that had everyone on their toes for a while.

It was not at all a surprising site to see the girls (Barbs, Fay and myself) at home and comfortable amongst the kids. The boys were surprisingly quite good with the kids. Malovas was spotted playing nhodo with some small girls, Lennon was seen kupada nekurakaraka. A little girl called Bongani, clung to Gift’s side all afternoon. Boys will be boys, Masimba, Malovas and some little boys spent a significant chunk of the afternoon playing soccer. In general the boys did quite well with the kids and hope remains that one day some of them will make good fathers under the watchful guidance of a patient and prayerful wife.

The idea to hold a braai for the kids only came up two weeks before the day of the visit. We were unable to raise enough money for the braai but through the aid of many generous souls, we were able to raise enough money to feed the kids lunch. May God bless them abundantly. Lunch went quite well and there was food and drink left over. (Kinda get reminded of the feeding of the five thousand. We started off with nothing two weeks earlier, but ended up with excess). Credit has to be given where it is due; Wadza, John and Blessing with the help of some Khayelihle staff members did a good job of preparing a delicious meal. Who knew those boys could cook, let alone for such a large crowd. Wonders never cease!!!

The visit revealed just how much needs to be done. It is not enough to visit once a semester. The kids need people to show they care. Our mere presence on the day made a world of difference to the kids. One idea for long term involvement that has come up is to start a library for the kids. If in future more time is taken to prepare for the visit, it would make a world of difference.

Bill Cosby always says, “There is a little kid inside all of us, and we sometimes have to let it come out to play.” The little UCSF kids came out to play and played more than the real kids. Chokwadi kutaurirwa hunyimwa sembare dzekumusana. Vaisapo makasaririra.