Ikamva's many programs

Today I got the luxury of being driven around by Matthew, who's worked with Ikamva for over 30 years, to some of Ikamva's projects in the townships.

Started out by visiting some of the foster homes in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. Ikamva has worked a program to get existing women who were already fostering children to be part of their program so they can provide them with food, projects, and shelter. That way they don't have to find new people who'd need to commit to becoming foster parents. Some of these "mamas" were housing 9 children, all age ranges. These kids are too adorable for words. At one house, they decided to play hide and seek with me and when I couldn't "find" them, they took my hand and would show me where they were hiding.

Next visited several senior centres in Khayelitsha and Philippi. It's amazing how these programs restore the dignity of the seniors who would otherwise have not much to do. Anything from senior exercises, arts & crafts, singing, praying, etc. They've even set up beading and sewing projects where their work gets sold and the money comes back to them. Best of all, they LOVE talking. Just being introduced to them, they wanted to know all about me and then would tell me all about their lives and their 17 grandchildren. Ha, I'd love to spend some time getting to know them better.

Finally, went to a couple of creches in Philippi. Happened to get there at nap time... 16 kids piled next to each other on a flat mattress on the floor. They were pretty much piled up on each other. I told them I'd be back to help out some time... I figure next time I'm there, it won't be as quiet :P

Again, a mixture of depressing sights of the way they live, but yet these programs bring such smiles to the most unfortunate people. I know it sounds like I'm preaching on how awesome Ikamva is, but it's true! It's great to see the seniors and little kids and helpers laughing and gossipping in Xhosa (which BY THE WAY, coolest language ever!! Lots of clicking and throat "tche" sounds and it sounds like they're singing the whole time... wish I knew what they were saying).

Tomorrow I'll be going back to the Health & Nutrition Centre with Monica (who's in charge of the gardens) to figure out how and where to build drip irrigation systems and greenhouses... should be interesting. Helen, the president, seems to think I know how to build these... soooo... hello internet. You and I are going to be good friends for this. Will let you know how things progress ;)