In February 2013, a group of Victorians had the privilege of visiting South Africa and spending some time at the orphanage of Thembalethu.\u00a0 Though only a small group of us visited, the good will and generosity of several groups of Victorians helped enrich the lives of many, many children.\u00a0 Specifically, we must mention, the Canadian Rugby Foundation, the Lower Vancouver Island Soccer Association, the Compassionate Warehouse, St. Andrew\u2019s High School, St. Andrew\u2019s Elementary School, Spank it Sports and many individuals Victorians.<\/p>\n
We have so many stories but will tell you just a few which will help to highlight the difference your specific contribution may have made.\u00a0 One of the schools in the area near Thembalethu had scheduled a \u201csports day\u201d but had been forced to cancel it due to lack of balls.\u00a0 The students were really disappointed but understood that this was just another thing that happens to poor children around the world.\u00a0 They are used to disappointment.\u00a0 Then what must have seemed like a miracle happened.\u00a0 The community outreach program, which is run by the Sisters who run the Orphanage, sent a number of soccer and rugby balls which had been generously donated by St. Andrew\u2019s High School and the Canadian Rugby Foundation.\u00a0 The Sports Day was back on complete with jerseys and pinnies donated by the Lower Vancouver Island Soccer Association.\u00a0 What a wonderful display of global co-operation!!!\u00a0 The smiles on the faces of those kids will never be forgotten and Canada will forever have place in the heart of each one of them.<\/p>\n
We visited another elementary school which had over 1000 students.\u00a0 These students were in classes of 60 to 100 pupils.\u00a0 The principal met with us and we were able to give her school supplies donated by the Compassionate Warehouse.\u00a0 She was overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Canadians who do not even know her students.\u00a0 She described her students as being from the poorest of the poor.\u00a0 She said that her school is extremely overcrowded but that she cannot turn the children away even though the school has no supplies for them.\u00a0 It was hard for us to even imagine being educated in such a situation.<\/p>\n
In South Africa, students must have uniforms to attend school and this can be very difficult for most parents.\u00a0 We gave the uniforms from St. Andrew\u2019s Elementary School to the outreach program at the orphanage and they were so excited to see them.\u00a0 They said that each and every one of them would be used by a child who needs them.\u00a0 Many of the people they serve are from orphan led homes and it is impossible for these young orphans to raise the money they need for uniforms for themselves as well as their siblings.\u00a0 They were most thankful.<\/p>\n
A group of the children and the orphanage asked us further details about the generous donors of the wonderful things which we brought.\u00a0 We tried to explain who you were and they asked us to write out your names for them.\u00a0 On our last day they presented us with these cards for you.<\/p>\n
Thank you from the children and from those of us who went on this most wonderful and rewarding journey.<\/p>\n
Jackie and Don MacIntyre, Connie McKenzie, Jean Moisey, Judy and Chuck Morgan, Vic Parsons, and\u00a0 Lorraine Calderwood Parsons<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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