Umbatu Crisis Center

Today was my second time visiting the orphanage. We had a hula-hoop contest, drew with chalk, braided each others hair, and had an intense game of soccer. Two of the older girls are also teaching me Zulu! “Saulbona” means “hello!” and “Sharp Sharp” means “good”, (just in case you ever needed to know) : ).

Most of the girls at the orphanage speak Zulu, and very little English. For some reason though, it’s not difficult to communicate with them. When you’re playing games or drawing with chalk, you use signs so easily to get a point across. It’s also amazing how universal smiles and laughs are. It makes me happy.

Moving on – after we were done playing around, we went on a walk to meet an acquaintance of Magic’s. She lives in a mud and cow dung built home, which was barely standing. The walls were falling down, and the roof was almost all caved-in. The lady (Ungogo) who we met was born in 1913. Her health is failing and she’s unable to repair her home. She has a son who goes to town everyday just to scrounge up enough money to buy the two of them food. He’s in a wheelchair and cannot repair their home either. Ungogo explained to us that she sleeps outside some nights when her son doesn’t make it home. Since she’s almost blind, she’s too scared to walk in by herself at night. Her biggest fear is the roof caving in on her while she sleeps (which it’s JUST about to do). So, Magic asked us for our help in rebuilding the home (and yes, we are going to be using cow dung – not lumber). We walked in the house and discussed how we were going to go about reparations. When we came back outside, the girls from the orphanage were standing around Ungogo singing a prayer. It was absolutely beautiful. After the song, they started praying out loud, crying, yelling, and throwing their arms up to the sky asking for God’s help. Ungogo was very appreciative of this, and thanked us all individually before we left.

Today was such an amazing day. It was one on those things you read about in school – but never actually see. I know people live in those circumstances, but I’ve never experienced it to that extent before. I’m definitely way excited about repairing her home. We start on Friday.

Later that day, Magic pulled me aside for a talk. Earlier, I had told him that I was an Art Education major. He said that for a long time he considered painting the outside of the orphanage. Right now, the walls are just a plain orange color, and he wants me to paint animals or flowers or people on the outside. I am SOOO excited about this! I told him that I’d start ASAP. I’m thinking of having them all make handprints on the outside edges of the house. Let me know if you’re reading this and have any ideas!!!

I’ve also been thinking about fundraising for the orphanage when I go home. Today when we did the chalk art, the kids were SO talented in their drawings. I was thinking about bringing really nice drawing paper to the orphanage next time, and having the kids paint. Then I can take their artwork back home, and sell it. There are art shows at Kresgee ALL the time – and I’m sure that people would be willing to spend $10 or $20 for a really cool picture drawn by a South African kid. Then I could send the money back to Magic to help pay for bunk beds or food. It’s just an idea, but I feel like I really have to do something to help out.