If you haven't read the news page please read that first as this will then make more sense (I hope!).

Again we apologise for not keeping this updated. As I read my last update some things seem to have moved on so much i don't know where to begin and other things are just the same! Any way here goes!

Bethany House -Community Care Project (CCP)

The last half of 2005 saw many changes in our work and we found ourselves continually reviewing and moulding our thoughts and plans. We saw massive moves forward in our staff skills and in many of our families/clients. From some staff who struggled to make a professional phone call they have now moved onto to running schools programmes and training teachers in the importance of play to help kids communicate especially in the area of HIV/AIDS. 

We started an HIV support group which has steadily grown over the months and now has about 25-30 regulars. We have also tried to extend this into local communities ie local people running support groups in their own local area but these have struggled due to ongoing stigma about HIV.  Its easier to come out of your own area and share your 'secret' - however we still work towards this goal. 

We continue to meet once per month for prayer specifically for those suffering with HIV. Attendance at these meeting varies from month to month but we have had awesome responses from those there and the Holy Spirit has really moved and changed people. We can't say we've seen anyone healed of HIV but we have seen lives and attitudes change from negative to positive. Many have given their lives to God at these meetings.

Our drive to help our clients move from beng dependent on hand outs to being self - sustainable has been very difficult. We have really struggled in this area and have found it very difficult to motivate people eg to plant vegetable gardens and maintain them. Some of this is due to them being already used to being given to and some of it is due to them being in such constant crisis they've pretty much given up hope. We are constantly reviewing this vital area and learning. In looking at the whole area of grants it has not been possible for me to be directly involved in each famly's grant applications. So what we have done is that each staff member advises and assists their own clients in what to apply for and how. The difficulty of this is that many of the poorest folk here don't have the necessary documents eg ID, birth certificates,etc. Without these they cannot apply for anything so thats the first step. 

Another part of the community development side of our work is mentoring other community groups. Last year we met and  began to mentor an amazing christian lady called Bongiwe Msomi. She had by her own efforts seen the need to help care for small children in her area whose parents were very ill. So she built a small extension on to her little house and started a creche. This is not a creche as you and I know a creche. It is 4 walls with no toys or stimulants but it provides a safe place where 40+ pre-school children can be safe and fed every day rather than roaming around the street or sitting at home alone with a dying parent. Bongiwe loves those kids. So CCP (mainly Rob) have helped her develop her vision by having a committee, being properly registered, and trying to get funding,etc. Many of us when we visit want to pour in toys and resources but we are learning to listen to the community and hear what they feel they actually need. This year Bongiwe has run several community events and she is gradually raising their profile. It is no longer just a creche but she has a vision for a community centre with many facets to reach out to meet local needs. We are so encouraged by this.

CCP have also started a peer leadership programme for young people called GOLD - Generations Of Leaders Developped. This involves 4 members of staff facilitating groups in local schools to focus on self -esteem, relationships,decision-making,self-awareness, and lots of current issues. Obviously HIV education and awareness is a big part of this. There is also a great opportunity to shares Gods love. The GOLD programme was started in the Western Cape here in SA and has been running successfully for several years. CCP are piloting it in this area which is a great privilege and responsibility. So far we are running groups in 2 local township schools, running assemblies, and we run a group at Bethany House as well. This involves a lot of preparation time and our staff also make themselves available at set times in each school for counselling students as needed. The schools and teachers involved have been very welcoming of this support and if we can do it well many opportunites could open up to extend the programme into many schools. Most schools and teachers here are so overburdened that they welcome any help.  GOLD is a 4 year programme.

Our 'normal' youth programme continues as before and the group of committed youth continues to gorw. This supports and helps young people through many difficult issues - all the 'normal' ones as well as more complex problems eg unwanted pegnancies, rape(very common here), and the additional risk of HIV with these things. 

With a much greater roll out of Anti-retroviral drugs now (although it still takes a long time to get these drugs from the time a person is diagnoesd as HIV+) our work has changed. We now focus more on education and prevention. Ironically the HIV infection rate here has increased according to statisitics. So there is more to do!

One of our young people ,Thulisile - who I spoke about in the last update is now very ill. She committed her life to God in September 2004 at our friend Adam Pollock's memorial service. She had been very sick before that but had really improved. She met Adam and he had a big influence on her. Last year she was baptised in our church by Rob. Sadly her health has in the past few months really deteriorated again and she is now very ill. Please pray for her. She is a good girl and has lots of potential. 

One new element of our work is helping carers talk to their children about their HIV status. 2 of the CCP staff have developed a wellness manual for teaching children basic health and hygiene. This includes information about HIV. This work came about through working with an increased number of sick children none of whom had been told the truth about what was wrong with them. So our staff first educate the carer and then agree with them what and how to tell the sick child. This obviously depends on the individual situation,family dynamics,age of child,etc. Other family members are also involved eg siblings if appropriate. 

Little Ayanda was 8 when our team at CCP first met him and his family. He was extremely ill. 2 of our staff worked with his aunt for many months to ensure that he got the right medication and that she understood his needs. Ayanda was a clever boy and he'd begun to ask what was wrong with him. Our staff spent many hours with him and his aunt explaining about HIV and how it affected him. Ayanda called it the 'crocodile' in him that ate his good blood cells. He learned that when he took his medicines they made the crocodile sleep. Also if he ate well that kept the crocodile sleeping. Even though Ayanda eventually died it was so important that he was able to have a little bit of control in his own health and life. We have found with children that they are  relieved and empowered by knowing the truth.

A few weeks ago a large international conference was held here by an organisation called CINDI (Children In Need and Distress) network. This organisation networks all the organisations ( state bodies,ngo's and secular agencies) working with children in need. CCP had the honour of being asked to present on 4 areas of our work at the conference. This was a huge honour and allowed our staff to share their experiences and skills. What an opportunity to witness as a christian organisation.

Current Needs:

1. Despite the sucesses in our work over the past months we are still struggling financially as a project. We have not been able to secure funding for much of the work. We do have committed funding for the GOLD programme but we desperately need funding for the other areas of our work. This is now critical as we struggle to pay staff each month. We want our work to be driven by the vision God has given us, not by a lack of funds.
2. Several of our staff have left or are soon leaving. 2 staff left last year as they found other higher paid jobs. In March 2006 Helen Sutherland 'retired' (- she was the founder of CCP). Jongi who leads most of the youth work and does much more than that and has been one of our closest friends here is leaving at the end of this month. I (Debbie) am not going to be in CCP much from now on to free me up to be at home for the children especially our new boy in this transition time and also to look more at the area of finding families. These absences obviously impact on the other staff and the work and put additional pressures on management as they try to plan ahead. Particularly with the lack of finances. 

Duduza:

Life at Duduza continues. We have seen many changes and developments in recent months. We have had several children come and go and some of the young 'old' faces are still around. We were able to offer love and care to little Ayanda (mentioned above) in the last weeks of his life so that he did not have to die alone in hospital. 

At present we are caring for 8 children from a variety of backgrounds. The youngest is about 8 weeks and the oldest is 11.

 The department are making it very difficult for us to have children long term now as they say it is not a true foster home as such. Therefore new children come to us under a short term court order and there is more pressure to find them long term placements sooner. This is extremely difficult as there are not many good long term carers that we know of yet, most carers don't want HIV+ children and the all the childrens agencies are looking for the same. Our dilemna is that what often happens is that due to this pressure the social workers do not do thorough asessments and place children in places which are at best inadequate and can be potentially abusive. This is extremely difficult when you have cared for these children and become emotionally involved with them.I can say that through these struggles our working relationship with the government agencies is improving all be it 'up and down'. 

As you may know my role in Duduza is mainly trying to provide permanency for each child. This involves assessing their own extended  family and where this is not an option looking for an alternative. At the minute of our 8 children - 4 cannot return to their family now(I have assessed them) and 4 are still being assessed. These assessments involve me visiting all potential family members over a period of time and dealing with much family conflict. The poor infra-structure here makes this 10 times more difficult than at home.

One area which has moved forward with the help of CCP is the issue of telling the children their HIV status. This has been done in a planned and loving way and has empowered those children old enough to be involved in their own health care.

Thankfully all of our kids are fairly healthy now and they are all doing well at school. The care staff work hard to encourage them and set a Godly example. We do have ongoing issues with both the kids and the staff to deal with but generally there is a good atmosphere of love and care there. In this last week we have had some staff problems and we need ongoing prayer for wisdom in dealing with these.

FINDING FAMILIES:

From what I have said already you will have picked up that there is a huge need here for permanent families for children who cannot stay in their own family. Through our experiences in CCP and Duduza God has  really laid this on our hearts. Pslam 68 says 'God places the lonely in families'. We have really struggled like when in January this year I had to take Janet's 4 children and place them in a big Childrens Home. While this home is doing its best and they do get basic care there it is not a family. These are not kids with difficult behaviours - they just had the misfortune of having lost their parents to HIV. Why should they not be raised in a family?

 When Willie and Hazel Patterson visited us here in Nov 2005 we asked him to speak on permanency for children in particular fostering/adoption and how this could happen in our context here. This was awesome! As I explained in our news page God has begun to stir this same vision in NCF church which oversees Duduza. He has also stirred this vision in Benson who oversees CCP. So this is something we will be focussing on over the next few months - how to develop a programme to recruit, train and support foster carers. This is a huge area of work and is only at the initial thinking/planning stages now but please pray for wisdom as we move ahead in this. We are praying for the right staff and funding for this. 

Thats all our news for now. Thanks again to all of you who support us by telephone calls, emails, finances, letters, prayers and in any other way.Especially to those who've organised fund-raising events - I can't name you all but you know who you are. Thanks so much.

God bless you all,

Rob, Debbie, Marcel, Georgia-mai, Ellie-jo and our new boy. 

As the kids are all sick today with the flu I am at home so have no excuse not to give you a wee update. Apart from the flu right now we are all generally well.  Please go to the news page for more personal info.

Work has been particularly difficult and stressful over the last few weeks.  We are feeling very stretched and under pressure and have had dome very emotionally stressful things to deal with.

CCP - At this half year stage we have been focussing a lot on our action plans for 2005 and reflecting on how we are achieving these.  A lot of programme planning based on continuous assessment of the needs of families. Also we are more and more realising that we need to continually up skill our staff as other agencies are often not reliable. Rob is in the process of trying to have him and me approved to train auxiliary social workers using CCP as a work base.  That way we can train up our staff.  They are all already dealing with very dificult situations and need the training to back them.  We are amazed at how most of the staff have grown and develloped in their work over the past year.  So just this week we've had 2 days of staff training and development focussing on clarifying our referral systems, counselling skills, identifying our individual skills and likes/dislikes, child protection among other things. We will continue with this.  Increasingly our focus is on empowerment and helping people be self-sustainable.  We are struggling to move some of our families from a 'hand out' mentality. I am trying to focus over the next 6 months on having a clear system to ensure families are getting the right grants.  Our community gardens and business development work is also vital in this.

As always we all carry on with our individual families and their issues.  The first Friday of each month we have a prayer time specifically for healing for HIV.  The last 2 have been diappointing in terms of attendance but absolutely awesome in terms of how God has moved in those who have come.  Last Friday we had several people who made commitments to Christ even though this was not the focus.  And we had lots of openness about HIV which is a new thing.  So we've been really encouraged. At end of July we are starting another HIV support group for adults and have had a lot of interest in this.

We have several serious child protection situations at he minute which is a struggle physically and emtionally.  Lots of frustrations and we have had serious threats directed at us and other staff.  Rob is often in the firing line for these especially as project leader.  Given the level of violence here these cannot be taken lightly but we also have to do our job well.  Please pray for spiritual and physical protection for all at CCP.

We have also been blessed to have some visitors and volunteers in the last month which is great.  Joy Patterson came back for 2 weeks which was lots of fun. So nice to have new faces and a fresh outlook.  We really loved her being here - it was just too short.  Sad farewells again at the airport. We alsohave Linda and Steven Allen here at the minute volunteering in CCP.  They are from Belfast and are a real encouragement - thanks guys.  There are also several teams here getting involved in the various areas of work. One of them is from Enniskillen,NI.

DUDUZA - we have had a very difficult time in Duduza over the past few weeks. Lots of staff issues and sickness. In fact as I write we are in the middle of a very difficult situation and so we really need your prayers for wisdom and protection for the children and staff. It is difficult meeting the needs of 'near teens' as well as those of babies and toddlers. Lots af different behaviour challenges.

Another issue is when and how to we tell kids about their HIV status especially in the home situation when other kids tease,etc. So we are working on that.  Complicated by the fact that some are entitled to ARV's and others are not yet.

So thats the latest on our work .  do go and take a peek at the news and other pages.  Thanks again to all of you for your love and support in whatever way you help. 

Work wise things are moving along.  Rob continues to be in Bethany House communtiy Care Project ( CCP) full time as project leader and I am there 3 mornings and 1pm and in Duduza 2 mornings.

Thulesile one of our young people got baptised last week and Rob did it.  She has just come on somuch and we thank God for what he is doing!!!!

CCP - In many ways its been 'business as usual' at CCP over the last 3 months.  It continues to be very busy and we are struggling to change from a project which 'gives' to a project which empowers. This is easier said than done and has not been well received by all eg we now charge a minimal amount for our monthly food parcels (£2) and that has led to some interesting dynamics.  However we see this as an essential way of helping our families become less dependent and more self-sufficient. We're also pushing the whole thing of training them to have their own veg. garden as a source of nutritious food and potential income. Some like this more than others but its part of the deal if they want our service whether they like it or not!

Sadly in March one of our much loved clients Janet died.  She had been sick for some time but it was still shocking and difficult in the end. She had 10 kids(4 under 18's) and so we have been very involved with them both before their mums death and especially since. Very tough. We have just begun 'memory box' with them which is a form of bereavement counselling where they make a box of memories which they can keep forever. 

Our psycho-social groups are still ongoing and we have others which we want to start. The schools work is slowly being developped in terms of prevention and education. We continue to run wellness groups educating adults on HIV, how to stay well and get medicines. Many are now beginning to access Anti-retroviral drugs even though this is only a drop in the ocean.  Still it is encouraging.  We have also maanaged to get quite a few of our kids on ARV treatment and see incredible improvements in their health.  This has been a really tough process partly because of frustrations with the hospital 'systems' (or lack of) here and partly because of the low compliance to medication of most people here. Months ago we just couldn't see how most of our kids could get on ARV's because their carers just didn't seem to be able to give medicines properly.  With much effort especially from Emma and Thabile this is changing and we have quite a few success stories. Wee Kwanda who we wrote about in previous webs and who was on deaths door again at the start of this year is now doing well - all because God changed his carer. (ARV's must be given exactly as prescribed or they are very dangerous so the hospitals will only give them to those who prove they are compliant). 

Despite the successes (or maybe becuse of them) we as a staff team have felt very much under spiritual attack.  At home we were never so aware of spiritual warfare but we have felt it powerfully here. Lots of sickness among the staff and their families, also deaths. Themba's brother died suddenly and Leah's husband who has been sick for some time is being buried tomorrow.  Please pray for them. We have in the past been threatened by families when things haven't gone their way and much of this is spiritual 'threats'/ curses,etc. A real thing here.  We also work with orphans who are cared for by family members who are sangoma's (witch doctors).  We've developped good working relationships with some of them and pray for them and one of them sometimes attends our prayer meetings! Please  pray for spiritual protection especially now as yesterday we had to remove one child from a family because of abuse.  This family have been quite threatening in the past. 

However Rob had a good meeting with them today and we hope we can find a safe way forward for the adults and children.

We continue to have major frustrations working with the government departments here. This seems to take more and more of my time now. However we can see that relationships are developping where there is mutual respect and working together. This is slow but vital.

Again we are heading into a critical situation with funding - despite having tried many bids and proposals we haven't secured sustainable funding. Therefore it is so hard to plan ahead and yet we need to do this to be able to run the programmes we feel we should be running. Please pray for funding that will allow us to plan in years rather that months. For example we are considering running a peer leadership programme for our young people to develop them as leaders and in turn help them develop others. We would link with a programme called Gold which is already established.  However its difficult to start something like this without sustainable funding for CCP as a whole.

Last but not least for CCP is that the Gateway executive have decided that each project become its own trust managed by the overseeing church. This has major implications for Gateway as a whole and for CCP. It places much more responsibility on Benson, Rob and Marion. Its difficult for us to understand the decisions being made (which we have been given no say in) never mind explain them here. Suffice to say that we are very concerned and the executive need much prayer. Also pray for us that we will be wise, know what is right both for work and for us and be able to cope. We are still praying for a project leader(S. African) who can shadow Rob and be trained up over time. That will free us up to do the other things we wrote about last time.

DUDUZA - I'm glad to say I finally feel some clarity about my role in Duduza. I am now working there 2 mornings per week. My role is specificaly finding permanency for the kids. And for some this is clearly happening. The legal 'wheels' move VERY slowly here but the 2 adoptions are going ahead and both kids are living with the adoptive families and are settled. Another will hopefully move to his aunt in about 4 weeks time.  Please pray for the remaiing children (5) whose family situatiuons are complex.  Pray that I will have wisdom and that the government social workers and courts will put the childrens needs first. I am due to be in court on Friday 10th June - please pray for the right outcome.

Despite ongoing frustrations we do see things changing for the better in Duduza and Gods timing. We now have regular planning meetings.  There is a recognised need to empower and train staff.  There is a recognised need for a Zulu speaking social worker and they are seeking funding for that. Duduza 2 has not yet been able to take in any children which has been frustrating for Cindy but we feel it allows time to get 'our ducks in a row' first. 

On behalf of all at CCP and Duduza thank you so much for your interest and support. 

I hope this gives you all a 'flavour'. Keep in touch.

23 Feb 2005

Well what can we say?  Most of you will know that we are still alive and will have heard via email or phone or in person what we have been up to but for those of you who don't fit into that group we are sorry.  I can't even begin to justify why we haven't written for SO long. We have been very busy and found the last 6 months of 2004 incredibly difficult and tiring but thats all the more reason why we should have made this a priority.  So sorry again and we have now reorganised our life and work to try and prioritise things better.  As part of that the website is now my responsibility - I drew the short straw- so I'll make time to do it at least once a month.  Thats a promise!

There's some personal news on the news page so have a look there too.

After much prayer and deliberation between July and September last year we felt called to stay in SA after our initial 2 years would finish.  Although this isn't till April 2005 we had to plan for relacements in our work if we were leaving as well as our kids schooling and other stuff.  From James          and Philippians           we believed God was reaffirming the things he'd called us here to do in the first place and only some of those have been achieved.  The 4 areas of work we initially came to do were:

• Develop an orphan care programme - well under way at Bethany House Community Care Project(CCP).  Rob is now project leader there and I am there 4 mornings per week.  This has developped as a holistic family support programe rather that specifically adults or children.  There is still much to do and we are praying for and seeking a S.African who can eventually take over project leadership.  We don't yet know who this will be and so please  pray for the right person.  This would free Rob up to take on the other vital areas of work identified before we came.
• Work with men on lifestyle, responsibiity, attitudes, dispelling myths,etc especially in relation to HIV/AIDS.  This work has started with a few individuals in CCP but needs expansion and development.
• Developping foster care and permanent families for children who have no one to care for them in their own families. In CCP our goal is to keep children in their family where possible, however there are an increasing number of cases where there are no family able to care.  My role in Duduza has been assessing natural families and there is a need for permanency for these children. To date we have relied on the government organisations for alternative care but this isn't ideal.  We would like to be involved in recruiting,training and supporting foster, respite and adoptive carers.  We are looking at this together with all the Gateway 'care' projects.  At present this is just in its infancy and we are assessing with the existing organisations what they do to avoid duplication or conflict.  We want very much to work with and to support existing organisations in this.
• Improving relationships between the various organisations and networking better.  The need for this is immense and we try in every way to work together.

So as you can see theres still a lot to do!  We don't know how long we will be here but we are glad that God knows.  We do feel that we are not meant to be here in this job permanently - that our role is to empower others but thats a slow process!

Let me give you a wee bit of an update on July - Dec 2004.  Just some of the main things:

The teams help in July and other teams in August meant that we were able to see areas of work needed and begin to address these.  We (ie CCP staff) started several psychosocial support groups - bereavement groups for 5-12's, sklls training for some of our youth, an HIV support group for women, a group for carers of children who are developmentally delayed and wellness courses which are aimed at educating people about HIV and encouraging them in how to live positively with this illness.

One of the teams from Tear Fund who came in August built a portacabin which we can use for counseling and groups.  We planned that during the kids holiday week starting Monday 27 September we would get them to paint it and during this time focus on sharing the gospel with them.  Tragically big Adam Pollock died on 25 September.  He was an integral part of the team who came in July from our church and he had a big impact on the kids. He was also a really close friend of ours and so we were totally gutted.  When we shared with the kids that he'd died one of the girls recalled how he had carried one of the younger boys who was struggling during their hike in the mountains. That was Adam.  Mostly people remembered his blinding smile.  We miss him a lot but God has done amazing things through Adams death.  6 of our teenagers gave their lives to God at his memorial service.  Another lady gave her life to God on her death bed after me and one of our staff shared with her about Adams life and love for God.  His family kindly asked for flowers and donations to CCP and this has raised over £7000 when we so badly needed finance to go on. The list goes on and on.  We are also very grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know Adams family a bit and we hope this will grow.  Huge thanks and respect goes to all of them from all at CCP.  

As i look back on the latter half of 2004 it seems to have been surrounded by death. We had one mother who we'd gotten to know well die and leave her 4 kids for us to rehome.  That was really tough but they are now safe and doing well.  Nonhlanla who I wrote about many times last year continues to train as a nurse.  We don't see much of her now as she lives at the hospital.  For some time we struggled finding good care for the younger children but they are all now living with family members.  

We have struggled to understand the 'systems' for getting people on to ARV drugs and this has been a real battle.  However we now have both adults and children slowly getting on to these and we have firmed up good relationships with local hospitals in this process.  There is much work still to do as only a handful of people can get these drugs now but we are slowly moving forward.

My work in Duduza one morning per week continued with much frustration and confusion.  However 1 of the chidren returned to her family in November following our assessment of them and 2 of the children are in the process of being adopted.  Another of the children returned to her family suddenly in December.  Other family assessments are ongoing.  

We returned to the UK from 14 Nov - 11 Jan 05.  This gave us a chance to see family and friends ,recharge our very low batteries and take stock of things.  It was a hectic but lovely time.  Thanks to all of you who welcomed us back so lovingly and for all your support.  During this time we knew that although it was hard to come backto SA that God wants us here for the moment.  To 'finish' the 4 areas of work I listed at the beginning.  So here we are......

Thanks again to all of you.  Especially those who visit, write, phone, pray or financially support us.  Please pray for:

1. Identification of a new project leader at CCP.
2. Clarity about my role in Duduza as the eldership from Currysiskan liaise with Duduza management.
3. Emotional strength to cope with the demands and frustrations of this work as well as being husband/wife/mother and father.
4. Wisdom and direction in the whole area of recruiting and training of foster carers.

Please do keep in touch (better than we do!!)  

God bless

Deb, Rob, Marcel Georgia-Mai and Ellie-Jo. 

Our work has as usual been busy and challenging over this last few months. Emotionally we have faced the biggest challenges to date. Tragically one of our children in Duduza passed away on the 23 May. She was the newest and youngest child there and held a big place in our hearts. So this was SO hard for us & especially for the Duduza staff and volunteers. However God did strengthen us all to get through and we are all learning. We are seeing lots of changes in Duduza as we all grapple with so many complex issues in caring for the children. There is an openness to learning and God has provided vital people with various skills to help move things on. Emma a nurse from the UK came as a volunteer and has helped develop the medical side. Other volunteers have also had a big impact. I have spent less time in Duduza in the past 2 months than ever before here just because of pressures in Bethany House. This wasn't planned but may have been God's plan. Rob and I need to meet with the management team there to evaluate our role there especially mine. Its very hard only being there 1 day really only a morning) per week so not feeling part of the team. I'm still trying to assess families and looking at the permanency needs of each child but have had so little time to do this. Please pray that we will know our role there and that we will have good relationships as we try to support the staff team in moving things forward.

The work in Bethany House is progressing. Our support groups are continuing as well as an art club, football club, English class, computer club. These are not just clubs- the purpose of them is to empower our young people to develop into healthy mature adult. Through these groups we have opportunities to really share Gods love, build relationships and explore the issues that our kids grapple with i.e. grief at loss of parents, poverty, feeling hopeless, HIV, sexual relationships.

From 1st - 14 July a team of 10 from The Barn (our church in Ballymoney) came to be part of the work. We decided to run an activity programme for all the people we are involved with . Through this week we wanted to get to know them better, share the gospel, build friendship and support between them as peers and begin some more directed pieces of work.

So we ran a workshop for Carers on child development and the importance of play and stimulation. This is a huge need here as many children are very under stimulated and so very under developed. We also made puppets with them and spent time looking at how they can make toys with little cost and how valuable these are. This training we will try to continue on a regular basis. About 25 carers came.

We also ran several activities for teenagers. One group whom we've been working with for some time went on a 3 day residential to the mountains. They are all orphans and they had trust games, went hiking ,star watching and lots of laughs as well as  spending time discussing issues e.g. stress management, HIV and health, grief, relationships, forgiveness -  all within a biblical context. Lots of tough stuff so they were challenged but it was an amazing time. There were 15 kids. Please pray that God will continue to work by his Holy Spirit in these kids. All of them are really great and have so much potential but they all need direction, protection and guidance. Also that they will make wise choices.

Another group of teenagers who we are just starting to get to know took part in activities such as art/crafts, wirework and a trip to the beach. So we had opportunity to get to know them better and share the gospel with them. 

We ran art/craft activities, a music workshop, and sports for about 40 5-12 year olds. These activities allowed the kids to share their feelings and life experiences with us. Also to just have loads of fun.

We (or I should say Duduza) also ran activities for our 0-4's. It was amazing to see how some of them have developed since the previous programme in April. It also highlighted how so many of our kids in this pre-school age group have not played and are very under developed. They all had so much fun. 

All of these people are on our programme at Bethany  House. Some we have known for a long time and others we've just recently met. All of them are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and they are all very poor. We believe that if we can empower them physically, educationally, spiritually, financially & emotionally that they will no longer depend on our support. Mainly that they will know God as real in their lives. We held a celebration for all those who took part in the activity programme and about 120+ people attended and it was awesome. 

Nonhlanhla who we spoke of in previous updates has now change courses and is training as a nurse. This means she lives at the hospital mostly. Her sister is looking after the children but she is sick. Please pray for this family and for wisdom as we help them. They really need a responsible adult to care them all. Especially pray for the 15 year old boy who is really struggling. The good thing is that Nonhlanla is now paid during her training so they will be better off financially. Pray that she will use her money wisely and will cope well with her studies.     

We continue to grapple with complex issues around anti-retroviral and poor systems so please pray for daily wisdom. Also we are still waiting for continued funding for Bethany House. Our staff went on half pay at the start of this month so this is a testing time. Benson has been in the UK and visited our church. We have and are applying for funding from many sources. God has spoken to us and we believe that we must continue to do the work as He directs us and that when we need it the funding will come. The activity programme was funded entirely by the Barn team. We hadn't blankets or warm shoes for the kids to go on the residential. A shop in N.Ireland donated them boots and a school from here arrived out of the blue with 30 new blankets they knew nothing about what we were doing!). So God was in it and He provided what we needed. We believe He'll do so for our funding too.Emma(one of the other volunteers) had a dream which seemed to be God saying He'll take us until we have nothing and then He'll provide for us richly - more than we've asked for or expect. So we're believing for that and carrying on in faith. Despite all this God has united our team and our daily prayer times are awesome. Pray that this unity will continue and we'll be protected from anything which would damage or divide.

That's probably enough to have bored you all! Thanks as usual for your support in us and this work. It is hard but we are so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you.   

I'll start with Nonhlandla - she has struggled through her first term at uni and the pressures of work and family have taken their toll. We met with her and the uni recently as she was really not coping - to try and make a plan. Following this she has passed her last assignment. There is a possibility for her to move into halls of residence and she has  so much potential but its not possible to pass carrying the responsibility of family as well. So we are looking at all their options ( her sister may be able to care for the children). Please pray for all of them and that we will know the right way forward - its so hard.

The 19 year old who I wrote about last time went to hospital but didn't need an operation and was cleared of cancer. She is very well as is her son. She is at school  and her son is in creche. Can you imagine all alone, living in a tiny mud and stick house and coping with school kids no money.  She realy is an inspiration and great fun ti be around.  She has begun to come to our church and a few weeks ago became a christian! She needs a lot of support as she is so young but praise God things are moving forward for her.

Our team at Bethany House have started running several support groups - one for HIV+ women (which the girl mentioned above attends). Another for carers who've lost their kids to AIDS and who are caring for orphans, and another arts and crafts group for young people affected by HIV. We are so excited about these groups as they show that the 'development' we've been hoping and planning for is actually happening at last. Our hope is that eventually these groups will become self-running when those involved are empowered enough to carry them on themselves.

The new and 'old' staff are working well and we now able to do a much wider range of support activities like these groups. The management team has developed new and clearer roles and so Rob is Operations Manager - responsible for adult and child HIV health, vulnerable children, 12 staff the volunteer programme and all the families and support activities (anyone want to swap!).  Helen who was previously manager is now responsible for training and policys and Marion manages finances. 

This has been a long tough process for everyone but God has really helped us find the way through.  Benson still oversees all the work at Bethany House.  He will visiit the UK in June and will be speaking in Currysiskan on 20th June.  We are also in the process of establishing an itinary for other meetings so please attend whatyou can I will let you know.  He is a real characterand great friend and any of you who are wanting to get a better understanding of our work should go along - I can promise you that knowing Benson, it won't be boring!    

We are really excited about the developments in the availability of anti-retroviral drugs here. They are still not available for free and so are not accessible to most people.  Also there are huge difficulties as it is extremely dangerous if they are not taken exactly as instructed.  We see on a daily basis here that most people do not comply with doctors instructions on how and when to take other medications.  So how can they even begin to give out ARV'S.  However, the hospitals are trying to set up compliancy programmes so that at least those who prove themselves able to comply will get the drugs when they are available for free.  We are in the process of trying to get our sickest clients on to this programme.  The government predicts ARV'S willl be availabe by Sept/Oct 04. It may be later.    

We have also seen our relationships with other agencies improve bit by bit. This is so crucial eg we now have a working relationship with one of the main doctors responsible for the ARV roll out programme here. This is crucial in getting our clients on the programme and although we are only at the VERY beginning of this its great to get to know others - both christian and non-christian who are also trying to best respond to the huge HIV/AIDS crisis.Despite many ongoing frustrations we are also continuing to slowly build working relationships with government departments eg the 'welfare'. This is crucial. 

With the new staff and changes in management our roles have changed at Bethany House. Rob is at last more able to manage and develop the service.   In recent weeks I've found myself in a position to plan work and begin to look at grant applications for families. This is vital but was always superseded before by crisises.  With Joy leaving and various difficulties we have faced as a family we have realised that we need to put stronger boundaries on our work and make sure we have family time. Please pray that we'll know how to do this. 

I am still working in Duduza 1 day  a week trying to look towards and plan for each child's future. There is a lot to do, its slow progress and a big responsibility. I have just begun to be part of the Duduza management meetings fortnightly and have begun to highlight some of the areas i feel need addressed. There is a recognition now that many things need looked at. They are going ahead with preparing for the new home in the hope that it'll open in a few months. I now see an openness to addressing changes and I'm so excited about that even though theres loads to be done. One of the main things is to get the kids on ARV's if they are medically eligible. Some of the kids may not have time to wait until they become free and i believe we have a responsilblity to buy them now if it gives our kids a better chance of life. In the next 2-3 weeks we hope to have had them all tested to see if they are medically eligible and then we will have to decide what to do from there. Funding is tight and this could be a difficult decision so please pray for Gods guidance for the whole team. Also that we will not delay in getting on with these things and that we will all be prepared and able to cope with what the test results show. Wee Sane especially needs prayer as her health is getting worse.

A big thank you to the Currysiskan kids who bought a nebuliser for Duduza. I hope you understand when I say I hope we don't need to use it too much but its great to know that if we do its there. We have a nurse starting next week who will hopefully be able to train the staff in how to use it properly. THANK YOU ALL.

Another major prayer request is for funding for both Bethany House and Duduza. Some of our main funding has ceased and we are waiting to hear the outcome of other bids. For Bethany House all the funding ends in June 04.  We are working with some extremel;y vulnerable families and if you feel that you can fund raise please do ask us how we can help you.  Last we supported +- 60 families with 240 children + another 400 families & 1200 children partially with just over £35,000.  Which all things being equal is a small amount of money.  So please pray that we can continue and establish life changing programmes that glorify God and promote life.  With families depending on us, staff to pay and the new programme started this is a big worry. We are trusting God for the future but its hard. Please do pray.

Thanks AGAIN for all your support, keep in touch

Deb, Rob, M,G and E-J. 

NONHLANHLA

ABOUT ME

My name is Nonhlanhla, I am 20 years old. I live in Imbali Unit AA. I grew up in a farm area called Underburg where my granny was looking after me. When I was in grade 3 I came to stay in Pietermaritzburg at Imbali. I stayed with my mother and my sister.

I am a healthy, strong, reliable lady whom is also enthusiastic and very hard working. During my spare time I enjoy reading newspapers and magazines. I also enjoy watching T.V. and listening to music. My favorite sports are hockey and table tennis.

ABOUT MY FAMILY

I have two sisters and one brother, in which among them one passed away. My eldest sister was 24 when she married and instantly died, that was in 2001. My other sister is 22, she lives in another town with my Aunt. My younger brother Zandile is 15. In 2001, when I was in grade 11 my mother also passed away and thereafter I lived with my Aunt and her 4 children. In the year 2003 my Aunt also passed away from a short sickness. So I had to look after her children since I was the eldest. They are still young, the three boys are 16, 12 and 9 years old, and the girl is 4 years old. My brother Zandile also lives with me now as my stepfather died in 2004.

ABOUT MY HOUSE

I live with my brother and four cousins in Imbali Unit AA. The house is a low cost government house and only has one small room and a toilet. It is a very uncomfortable house since there is not enough space in that house. It also doesn’t have enough yard where you can make a garden and it also not too safe since it is not fenced.

We don’t own the house and  the local chancellor came to us to tell us that the owner of the house came to claim the house and so we were told to move out. Now we're looking for somewhere else to live.

ABOUT MY EDUCATION

When I was in primary school I went to Forest Hill Primary, and even though my mother was struggling to lift me up I worked hard in ways to reach my goals. My favorite teacher at primary was Mr. Van Wyk even though he used to shout a lot. I proceeded to Haythorne High when I was in grade 8 in which I hoped and prayed that I’d make it to matric. My high school education was not easy due to the fact that I sometimes had financial problems which I could not get over.

Through the pain and suffering I saw myself going through I passed every grade. My favorite subject was accounting from grade 8 up until grade10. I also enjoyed maths since I enjoy working with numericals. I also enjoyed Afrikaans because I understood it from primary and I had no problems with it.

My favorite teacher at high school was Mrs. Wetter because she gave me a lot of advice and hope about the future. Miss Pillary and Mr Pieterson taught us how to be business minded and to think economically.

ABOUT MY FUTURE

When I was in grade 10 I decided to take commerce subjects since I was interested in accounting and also obtaining business knowledge.

Reaching grade 10 in the year 2002 made me think I had made a huge success in my life. I felt like I had accomplished  a portion of my dreams. I knew I had to further my studies but was worried about how I would do that.

I spent the whole of 2003trying to get my way forward applying for bursaries and trying to get a decent job at the same time. I was so excited when I was funded to go to University and that made me see a step towards my future. I saw myself in six years time as an independent, self-reliable lady with my own car, house and a very good job that pays me good. By all that, I thought that I still do have a chance to persue my dreams with what I am given and the opportunities that I have so that by the time I am older I would have accomplished my dreams.

WHAT I NEED

Since my bursary does not cover all my expenses such as textbooks, stationary, traveling costs, clothing or food I would be delighted if I could get somebody who will sponsor me in order for me to reach my dreams.

Nonhlanla has now done her first month of uni. She is studying for a degree in commerce and accountancy. It is tough. She gets everyone up and out to school,then goes to uni, then comes home to help with homeworks,cook, wash, clean, ...... and do her course work. Her older sister(+child) have also just come to stay with them and she is also ill! 

We have agreed to support Nonhlanla financially with books, transport, food and all additional necessities. This is quite a heavy commitment for the 4 years of her course but we see it as an investment for all the childrens' futures. If any of you would be interested in financially supporting this family then please email and let us know. A few pounds each month can make a big difference. Please also pray for them all.  

The 3 kids we took into foster care just before Christmas went back to live with their great aunt last week. It was not an easy path at all but the family did eventually work with us in seeing the kids needs and we're so glad to have been able to return them. Obviously we will continue to visit regularly, support them and monitor things. Its hard to place sick and vulnerable children back into such poverty but we do believe that they should be with family who will love and care for them. Time will tell. It has also been good to experience working within the court systems here and with the Department of welfare. Hugely frustrating but cases like this where we are co-working with the Dept. allow us to build working relationships with them and this is vital if we want to move forward. We have definitely seen improvements in this area over the last 3 months and are always seeking ways of networking better with other organisations. Its the only way to effectively support people in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis here.

The other 2 kids we mentioned in our last update whose mum had just died are now living with an aunt. They are well and are settled into school.

I don't want to inundate you with too many 'stories' but I will tell you of a new client who is 19 years old and has a 15 month old baby boy. She has no family support and is an orphan herself. She is HIV+. She also has cancer and is going into hospital tomorrow for a haesterectomy.Apparently she was due to have it done 2 years ago but didn't go for the op. We have arranged for her son to stay in Duduza until she recovers. We also have an elderly couple (a retired Dr and his wife) who have agreed to care for the girl in their home as she recovers until she can return home and go back to school. Please pray for this girl, for  her little boy and for us as we support her. We need wisdom.

My work in Duduza is progressing very slowly. Often the demands of the community care project take over and my 1 day per week in Duduza disappears. Working with families with whom you often have no way to contact them is extremely difficult - most have no phone access and no address and the areas are so vast that its hard to just visit them. Also many speak little or no English. We need good christian Zulu social workers. Joy Patterson(volunteer from our home church) still works there and loves it. She is loved by kids and staff. Watch out Willie and Hazel 'cos the 2 foster mums there are fighting to adopt her!! Mandy the other N.Irish volunteer there is also great. Please pray that these 2 girls will be used fully as they have many skills and talents to offer. Also for clear direction for their future.

Approx. a month ago Duduza took on another little girl. She is 14 months old but has been very malnourished and under-developed. She is very settled there now and is loved by all. Tomorrow they will also have the little boy I mentioned earlier until his mum recovers. 

Going back to the community care project things are moving on rapidly. We now have 4 new members of staff - 1 community care worker,1counsellor, 1 education worker and 1 community gardener. They are all now beginning to 'find their feet' and are a real asset. We also have some excellent volunteers - a nurse and a socialworker ( both from the UK).A local guy called Jongie volunteers 2 days per week and has a heart of gold. Also another social worker from the UK coming in April for a few months. These staff developments allow us to really move from being crisis driven to planning effective sustainable supports for our families.eg veggie gardens and some of our clients are involved in a 2 year community development play therapy programme which aims to empower adults in the communities to realise the value of play. This is potentially life changing for the local kids in the long term - enabling them to communicate and develop despite the massive losses they have faced in their lives. This course is run by another local christian organisation and is an example of how networking can be so valuable.    

God bless, 

Deb, Rob, Marcel, Georgia-mai and Ellie-jo 

We have seen some real encouragements in individual situations. One of our families consists of 6 orphans the oldest is 19 years. She looks after them all with minimal extended family support. She sat and passed her metric exams(equivalent of A levels) the year her mum died. She then spent last year looking after her siblings  and resat 2 exams to improve her grades even though she'd already done well. She has now been offered a place at uni to do a degree in commerce and has just been awarded a bursary to cover most of the costs. When she came in on Tuesday to tell us she'd got the bursary she was so happy but very modest about it all. I noticed on the paper with the bursary tel. number she had written ' My God - you are so great'. We are so proud of how she has achieved all of this through terrible circumstances in her personal life and that she knows God's hand on her life. We hope to support her with additional costs and obviously in any other ways we can. We believe through her efforts and academic achievements she and her siblings have much hope for the future.Please pray for them all. Their ages are something like 4, 10,12, 15 17, and 19. A heavy responsibility for a 19 year old.

We also have much hope for the 3 kids we had to move into foster care just before Christmas. It is early days yet but looks hopeful that at least 2 of them might be able to return home. We will see but please keep praying for all 3 of them and that we will make the right decisions. 

Just 2 weeks ago one of our mums died and left a 9 year old and a 7 year old. Two little boys who are living with an aunt. They are lovely boys but have huge needs. Have never been in school yet and have been very deprived of life. We hope to be able to get them into school asap.

Also have a new family to work with where the 17 yr girl has just been tested HIV+.  We are getting her into school and counselling her.  Not really sure what she understands and have to work with her in terms of her safety and the safety of others.

Things in Duduza have also developded. They are extending and expanding the work so please pray for wisdom in the planning of this. I am working at Duduza 1 day per week and am looking at each childs individual situation and how we can make permanent plans for them. I need much prayer for this as some of the extended family situations are complex and we need wisdom as to what is in each childs best interests. As I mentioned on the news page we are so glad to have Joy Patterson here and she will be working in Duduza as well as keeping our kids 3 afternoons per week.Unlike me in Duduza she'll  be doing the hands on nappy changing, playing, homeworks and much more. I know she'll be a real blessing there as they will be to her. I hope she survives her 3 afternoons with the 'Ng-Yu-Tin 3' so well!! 

Please also pray for wisdom in dealing with difficulties, staffing issues and policy making in both Duduza and Bethany House.  We feel a massive responsibility so please pray for strength and rest as sometimes it all feels just a little too much. 

We thank God for how things are progressing and all of you for your continued support. 

Deb,Rob,and the gang.

Based on current funding and funding we are applying for this is the programme we will be rolling out

Location:                                 South Africa/Kwazulu Natal/Pietermaritzburg

Project Name:                         “Connect a child” – ‘to future hope’

Delivery Organisation:              Bethany House - ‘Community Care Project’

                                                (In partnership with churches & projects in Project Gateway and other agencies concerned with Community Child and Orphan Care)

 Definition of ‘family’;            the term ‘family’ is used throughout this bid and is only used as a generic term.  The needs of children are vast and there is a role for all members of the community to play.

Aim:                     To support children and their families affected, infected and orphaned through HIV& AIDS where they live.

Proposed Project:

The proposed project aims to look at and address supporting children, their ‘foster’ and at times biological families in the community in looking after children infected and affected by and through HIV & AIDS.

Aim:

·        To provide and offer support to Orphans, vulnerable children and their foster families who are affected or infected through HIV & AIDS.

·        To support families in developing and maintaining a vegetable garden allowing them access to good food and providing a means of income.

·        To train 20 volunteers to serve the community they live in and support people in the local area to look after families and children including the gardening project as a potential business.

·        To employ local people as ‘community child care workers’ to look at schooling needs, family problems, employment, HIV/AIDS family & community sustainability

·        To employ a community garden worker, developing further the business opportunities this offers.

·        To develop innovative and sustainable ways of supporting our families and children academically, emotionally, psychosocially, nutritionally, socially and spiritually.

·        To offer counselling, psychosocial support and life skills.

·        To develop a fostering service in partnership with other related agencies.

·        To buy a minibus to service the area we cover.

However, for this to develop and to be owned by the very people if affects, the people with the strongest voice are the people we are supporting with food, gardens, clothing and employment. 

“… to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to

set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your

food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter –

when you see the naked, to clothe him, and to not turn away from your

own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear” Isaiah 58 vs. 6-9

In developing our Orphan care programme we want to see families and children grow, thrive and develop and be an inspiration to their community.  Counselling and psychosocial support both individual, groups work and support group work will be an integral aspect of our work.  Foster care development and our work with schools is also an innovative and new approach. Nutritional support and garden development important aspects of development.

This projects allows us a wonderful opportunity to give some of the people we serve ‘a future hope’.  An understanding that they will not be left alone as there will be people in the community there to support them.   In doing so we will also actively work at accessing grants that are available for out families and used by the government as a toll in poverty alleviation.

That the community as a whole is allowed an opportunity to be part of creating a stronger future for themselves so that for example schools can be part of feeding schemes and clinics part of crèche care, churches facilitating support groups and local taxis a shuttle service for sick children.

In terms of supporting families there are a number of steps that can be taken to help support and develop life chances and community sustainability.

·        We need to be able to train up people, volunteers in the local area to look after families and children like these

·        We need to employ local people to be ‘community child workers’ to look at schooling needs, family, employment, family and community sustainability

·        We need to employ a counsellor to role memory box work and provide support to careers and children

·        We need to employ a ‘community education worker’ to look at the various needs of the children and families we work with

·        We need to provide food parcels for Orphans, their families and vulnerable children we are working with through our Home based care

·        We need to employ a community business gardener to develop ‘home gardens’ so that people can have access to good nutritional food, gain employment skill and sell goods to raise finance.

·        We need to buy a vehicle to service the area we work in

 “When we let our own light shine we encourage others to do the same”

                                                                                                        (Nelson Mandela inaugural speech)

Psychosocial support

0-5 year old HIV+ with their careers

In terms of the development of our work we have a number of clients who are looking after under 5yr old HIV+ children.  We are seeing that the level of attachment varies considerably amongst this group and appears to be related to the health condition of either career or child.  Other factors appear to play a part including financial constraints and material wealth understanding of play and stimulation.  We would like to help support these needs amongst this group and give all involved a real chance to bond and thrive together

5-10 yr old children who are HIV+

We have a number of children and families that we are working with in this category and need to look at developing a programme that allows children and their careers to all be involved in the management of health and their HIV.  Careers feel dis-empowered in how to deal with this and as a result give poor advice or mis-information to their children.  Careers fear the day a child will ask “what is HIV? and what will it do”.

10-16 year old affected through HIV & AIDS

We have a number of teenagers in the category who have experienced multiple losses, separation, and death and witnessed the last stages of AIDS.  They are also a group that is becoming emotionally, socially, sexually and physically aware.  A group that has differing level of mental health and who are struggling.  Through talking with these young people it has been expressed that they need an avenue, a forum to develop and that this intervention have both a therapeutic and social component.

Grannies and Granddad careers

We have a large number of older careers who them selves have buried their children through HIV & AIDS and are now parenting children again some of whom are also HIV+.  Whilst a social support group is needed the emotional support and recognition of their own lose is vital in developing good and strong ‘parents’

By us working together we can be build a sustainable future for them as a family and for the wider community as children grow up knowing their creator.

 “Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it”     

Proverbs 22 vs. 6 

We are in a unique position to develop a programme of work that gives glory to God in how we look after the children He has blessed us with.

Intro

Working life in the community care orphan programme has begun to accelerate at some pace.  On the one hand we are involved in programme development, working relations with different departments and policy development.  And on the other hand accommodating the ‘inherited’ 50+ orphans already supported through the Community Care Programme. 

The time restraints involved in assessing and working with such a large number of children covering a large area and with little staff is difficult.  Through our contact with the children and their families we are exposing a number of issues and difficulties that need addressed.  Some of these include solely child protection issues, financial, education, family support counselling, practical help, spiritual support and prayer.  

Duduza

Debs will now be working in Duduza one daya week with her primary role of:

• developing a foster care programme with a view of finding families for the children

• permanance planning

We realy feel that this is a major breakthrough and cannot wait to be more involved profesionally with these fantastic kids. they are all very close to our hearts and we love them (would show a piv=c but got camera nicked)

Mapping exercise

At the moment we are doing a mapping exercise in respect of all the individuals, families, children, foster cares and those infected with HIV/AIDS.  This exercise will prove invaluable if we are to quantify:

• Numbers supported
• Identified needs
• Gaps in service

Following this exercise we will be able to develop a clearer needs led response to the communities and families we serve.  We plan to have this exercise completed by December 03.

Families supported

At present the statistics available indicate that we are working with +- 80 children from +- 30 families.  Following the mapping exercise we will have more precise figures.

We support the children on our programme in a range of ways.  Initially to be eligible for the programme their family, mother or father or carer would have to have been looked after by our home based HIV AIDS team.  Food and clothing is distributed, as is some input in terms of the child’s schooling. We try and encourage carers to support their children though interaction, play and stimulation.  With a number of our carers just the knowledge that we will continue to support them is enough to help them regain some hope for the future.  Looking after children is not just about food and clothing but incorporates their development, understanding of their environment, events leading up to their orphan status and building resilience in them to enable them to cope and develop.It is this part of the programme that we are currently developing. 

Child protection

Over the last three months we have been increasingly involved in some child protection issues:

• Removed three orphans from the care of their uncle due to neglect and physical abuse.  These children are currently in a place of safety.  A potential carer is being assessed for foster care
• Two orphans removed from their Grandmother due to issues of neglect, presently accommodated by a neighbour and home based carer.
• One orphan removed from the care of his neighbour and placed into the care of maternal grandmother due to issues of neglect and a break down in relationship between carer and child
• We are currently monitoring a two and a half year old boy called Kwanda who is HIV+.  On our initial visit he was nutritionally and emotionally neglected and very close to death.  The child weighed 3.1kgs when born and at 2 years old he was only 6.5kgs.  The family have responded well to our weekly visits, HIV/AIDS education and training. Kwanda now weighs 7.4kgs and is gaining strength.We have been able to dispel myths about how the virus is spread and they are no longer afraid to hold him close and kiss/hug him. He is now alert and interested in his surroundings.
• We are currently monitoring a 9yr old orphan boy living with his sister, cousin and Aunt.  There have been behavioural problems at school and the care he is receiving at home is being assessed. We are working with the school and carer to support him.
• We are currently working with 15+- HIV+ children under the age of 8yrs
• We were involved in a allegation of sexual abuse investigation

Counselling

At present two teenage orphans are having weekly bereavement counselling and support through the Orphan Care programme.  Two carers are also being counselled. Our vision is to expand this work so that all our orphans have opportunity to talk about their parents' death and all that surrounded it. We have received some training in specialist 'memory box' training to address this and hope to begin this with some of our carers soon. It is so vital ( esp. due to the stigma around HIV/AIDS here AND the fact that in Zulu culture feelings are not talked about) that our kids get a chance to talk and understand what has happened. Maybe then they can develop and grow into strong healthy adults. 

To develop this work as we would like we need more staff especially Zulu speaking staff.

We are in the process of setting up working relations with a Play therapist who concentrates on bereavement counselling through the medium of play

Education

The impact of orphan care on the education system and directly with schools is emerging as a very big problem.  Poverty and unemployment is a major issue and as a result school fees do not get paid.  This has resulted in five of our orphans being suspended from school.  We have worked closely with these schools and secured continued placement without schools fees. In our work with carers we also always promote the importance of education as a key for childrens future. If we cn give practical support to enable this we do eg paying for transport to school, buying uniforms. Although the schools are all very poor areas,our kids are the poorest around so we try to prevent them from 'standing out' as different as far as possible.. 

Through children being removed from their carers we have also secured two school placements.  At present we have 3 orphans who should be in school with no school placement available.

Garden Projects

At present we are piloting two garden projects for two of our orphan families.

• Family one are 63 & 65 grandparents looking after 5 orphans, three of whom are HIV+.  We have invested £12.
• Family two is a carer of 21 looking after his younger brother living with 20 other relatives.  We have invested £10 in seed and £3 in 12 chicks.

Both families are keeping records of what they spend in the upkeep, what profit they make from the sale of goods and what they reinvest.Sadly our carer from family two died suddenly 2 weeks ago but his extended family will continue the work. He and his 13 year old brother were orphans and we will continue to support his brother.

Today I ate my first carrot from one of 'family' gardens and we blessed richly another family with some of the products from these gardens.  Absolutely fantastic, families helping each other!!

Housing

We are supporting the above mentioned family one in building them a new house.  The orphan care programme has committed to 50% of the building costs.  The decision to build was identified in terms of needs assessment and concluded that both carers where able to offer long term support to the needs of the children in their care and that the missing component was safe shelter.

Staffing

At present Rob continues to work 5 days a week and Debbie 3 mornings from 8 -1.30. From next week Deb will do 1 of these mornings in Duduza specifically looking at permanency planning and  finding families for the kids there.

   In Bethany House we now employ a Zulu auxiliary social worker two afternoons a week and we have a malel community worker assigned to us on Tuesday and Thursday.We share 2 part time field workers with home-based care.Other than that theres us two. So its busy!

Needs

Our primary need at the moment is to secure funding to be able to employ skilled staff to help us mobilise and expand the support we offer to our orphans and to support and develop further a volunteer programme in this respect.

Networking

At present we have developed close working links with the Child Welfare department and are exploring ways of delivering a training programme for foster carers and assisting in Social work training.

• We are also developing working links in respect of therapeutic interventions.

• We are also exploring ways of further developing our role with Duduza Orphanage. 

Funding (exchange rate 11.50 rand to £1.00)

We submitted a bid to Radio Cracker, a Christian radio station supported and organised by a forum of churches in Northern Ireland.  The bid concentrated on staffing issues, vehicle, and planting gardens. The bid was in the region of £24.000 ( R300,000+-).  As of yet we have had no contact in respect of this bid.

We continue to be supported by family and friends from Northern Ireland and London and over the last 3 months have received in project costs +-£1,000.

Social work registration

To work here under childcare law we need to be South African registered Social workers, the process for this being quite lengthy. Firstly we had to have our UK degrees ratified here in SA through SAQA (SA qualification award) in Pretoria and were awarded a SA BA (hons) Science and arts in Social Work.

Following this we have applied to SA Social work council.  Following a lengthy process of form filling, correspondence to our University and letters of verification we were invited to interview on 27 October 03 to have an interview with the council.

The implications for us being SA registered are enormous:

• We will be able to process and follow through all foster and adoption enquiries and grant applications .  At present none of our 80+- children receive this grant.
• All community care applications especially vital for the HIV+ child (£65 per month)
• Once we are registered  Project Gateway as an NGO will be able to apply for Department of Welfare funding allowing another 2/3 social workers to be funded to work for the project

These are just some of the benefits. After lots of sickness in the house with Debs and I getting  sick and the kids with tonsilitis we got through the hour long interview on models of interventions,S.A legislation, theories used and reasearch techniques. We are now recognised as SA Social workers and our registration is being processed. We can recruit and assess foster carers and apply to court for grants.  

Personal  

You can get all our personal stuff if you go to the news page. Be prepared - its rivetting!!!?!

Thanks

We continue to owe all of you so much. We could not do any of this work without your support in prayers, letters, emails, phone calls, finances, and much more. We do really apreciate all of them so a huge THANK YOU. We will try to send a hard copy prayer letter out soon but in the mean time please also pass on our thanks to anyone you know who doesn't have access to this web site. 

We see so much pain, sickness that at times it is so hard.  But God is good, in the way that he prepares us.  We do so enjoy are work.  I often tell Marian the admin manger that the first time I stop moaning and complaining that she needs to tell me to have a break as my moaning is not complaing but enthusiasm thats our style.  

Soon we will be able to start the long road of processing foster grants.  90% of our clients just need ££ and little suport.  Whilst we are working with orphans we are working with poverty stricken families.  Please pray that we will have a major impact in the courts, I can't wait, Deb's can!!  At times it feels as though we are like llittle fish in the big sea, there are people who we are working with and we just pray that we can really work together. 

The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS here is huge and so many will not admit to having it even when they are at deaths door. Hence it is very hard to offer them advice on protecting others in the family from being infected. The temptation for 'outsiders' like us is to just tell them even if they don't want to hear but this is difficult for the home-based carers who live in these communities and are often friends and neighbours. Also we then risk not being allowed back to the family. However we do need to find ways of educating people about AIDS and cross infection as these are real risks. Some school work is done and the Government have tv ads,etc but many of the people we are dealing with have no electricity, and are living in extreme poverty.

In many cases those the team visit are relying on the small food parcels we take as almost their only source of food. This is a huge responsibility when our project is struggling to have enough £ to buy the parcels each month.

As well as the above the team support orphans.This has developed as they are children of those in the teams care who have died. However at present all the team can do is give food parcels and £ for school fees. They are not equipped to assess childrens needs.Most orphans here are cared for by extended families and this is certainly the most preferrable option in many cases.However abuse and poverty are so much a part of life here that good assessments and monitoring of these vulnerable children are essential. There many situations where teenagers head families or where grandparents care for a large number of children.

Our role in these cases will be to help the team develop good referral and assessment systems. To train and empower the team in prioritising the needs of the child and making proper assessments of need. Also in accurate recording and planning for each child/family.

We have also met with staff at Duduza and have spent much time looking at the huge issues which face them in attempting to plan for each childs long-term future. They have asked us to help them also in assessing childrens needs, and in recruiting, assessing and training potential carers for those who cannot return to their extended families(ie foster and adoptive carers). I have already begun this work with 1 family who want to adopt a child  in Duduza.

All of these areas of work depend on the projects having a good knowledge of the law and the Dept. Of Welfare. This is not the case at present and we hope to improve this through networking. We have quite frankly been shocked at some of the practice here. Much of this is due to the huge number of children in desperate situations and in some cases a lack of trained staff. 

 Poverty,AIDS,Abuse,cultural issues make provision of care for vulnerable and sick children here very complex and we believe the churches responsibility in this is huge as these children are the future. There are huge moral and ethical issues which must be addressed by the churches and which we in this work are facing.

So those of you who have read 'If you want to walk on water you've got to get out of the boat'(J.Ortberg) will know what I mean when I say we're now 'seeing the wind'. We have gone through the fear of change,have stepped out, started walking , felt brief exhilaration and are now 'seeing the wind'. So we're praying that God will help us keep our eyes fixed on Him.

We pray that God will:

-Give us wisdom in each area of work and with each child/family.

-Help us prioritise our work.

-Guide and help us set up systems and train people to provide a service which will be sustainable  and which  will be of an excellent quality.

-Help us address challenging issues in a sensitive and yet effective way.

-Work in those evaluating our qualifications to act quickly and be correct in their assessment so that our work will not be restricted unnecessarily.

We praise God for:

-bringing us to people who can guide and advise us

- an open and motivated staff team

Next week we will spend at another project which we have already visited. We hope to learn from them ways of moving  forward in a culturally sensitive and child-centred way.We have visited several other local childcare organisations and plan to do more of this over the next few weeks so that we can learn from their experiences as well as building contacts and networking resources.

Thank-you for your support and prayers,

Rob, Deb, Marcel, Georgia-Mai and Ellie-Jo.

Key identified areas of work include:

• establishiing working links and ptnerships with the department of welfare and scial services (this are of work is masive s it under pins all other aspects of community finance, child care allocation timecscae etc)
• getting registered as practising social workers in South Africa, which will aloow us to do court work and supervise other social wokers and students
• legal work in respect of birth status, grant allowance
• training of staff, and issues in respct of attachment, memory box, working with 'abused' and vulnerable chilren
• commuinty development in restoring and helping children families and communities help themselves

There is alot more but this s just a flavour.  Anyone  hav any hints for working with there wives??  (if asked the same question i would probably say don't have n arguement before work or eat garlic!) 

Our boss Benson is great.  He is from Ghana married with 3 or 4 kids and has a lovely wife Beatrice who looked after our kids this evening.

They are clear that our priority is with our children.  School, routine, friends and bedrooms.  We are meeting tommorrow to look at priorities and direction.  The AIDS orphanage is in great need of personel and we will discuss this in respect of other wider issues, these include:

• court work in respect of foster care
• setting up links with welfare and social services
• foster care in the church
• funding

All this in the face of people sick and dying around you.  I meet a young man last week of 18 years, handsome, confident, and knowing that God loved him.  He has HIV and knows his fate.

Pray for how you can help and talk to us about what ever is on your mind.

Some people say it's only a drop in the ocean.  Mother Theresa said:

'Each drop is precious as it takes each one to make the oeans'

thanks

rob & deb