Close of a Chapter.

Im currently sat in the aeroplane with lots of snorers around me, and thought when better to write my final blog! As usual I'll pick up from where I eft up, and for the last ever time I'll just apologise for being so slow in updating you all!

Monday 5th March Maggie left us to head back to Germany! It was a sad day and the children and tshepo ya bana team were all stood at the gate waving her goodbye, very emotional as you can imagine. But you just have to keep the childrens spirits up and occupied. The next few days were also my last few days as Thursday 8th I was due to also leave!

Wednesday evening was when the waterworks began and I was an emotional wreck till I was on the plane the next day. I put all the children and babies to bed each all for the very last time and I cant tell you how hard it was knowing I will never see them again or do this again. I decided I didn't want to warn the toddlers about my departure but rather thursday morning tell them Auntie Gemma is going on an aeroplane on holiday, and when they ask me if I will be coming back (which is always their first question) I must just say no.

So thursday morning came and I was up at 6oclock to go to the main house to say goodbye to the bigger boys. I gave them all a hug as they left for school that morning and held it together until the car drove off, then I also had to say an emotional goodbye to Kirstin as she left for work!

So by 8oclock I realised I must go down to the cottage and pack quickly as I was leaving around 10.30am. At 9oclock I came straight back up to spend time with the kids and play around blowing bubbles and on the jungle gym. I have to tell you, one boy there called Neo stole my heart from the moment I held him back in July when he was 6 weeks old. He was my baby, it was quite funny- whenever Neo would cry all the toddlers would come and say "Auntie Gemma, your baby's crying!!". Which always put a smile on my face. SO the last hour I spent with him alone and put him down for his morning nap.... undoubtedly hardest thing in my life was to say goodbye, saying goodbye to everybody there.

Mark, Chris, Nchlanchla and I left to Pretoria for they needed to do some bed shopping (in prep for the move) and then we all sat at lunch and had KFC before dropping me at the gautrain station to go to the airport. Another emotional goodbye as I watched them drive off.

But now I had to dry my eyes and keep my chin up so I could enjoy my 2 week holiday before heading home! So Thursday I arrived around 5oclock in Bloemfontein and was greeted by Auntie Lorna and Neacail! They are part of Mark and Chris's family whom I met over christmas and was invited to come stay. What an incredible family they are. Uncle Mark, Auntie Lorna, Joanke, Neacail and Lauric.

Since they are homeschooled that friday they had to do a biology lesson where we had to dissect lungs and also a cows eye, so that was interesting! And then in the afternoon we all sat playing guitar and singing and chatting away (even fitted in a cheeky nap!). That evening I went with Neacail to his youth group which was good fun also. Saturday was Neacail's birthday party as he turns 17 on the 16th March. So since it was a 'pudding party' where he invited about 10 of his friends, we spent mostly all day in the kitchen baking! It was a great laugh, chatting lots and messing around. By 7 oclock everyone arrived and it was such a greta evening Neacail really enjoyed it! And I felt so blessed to be able to join them all (And again we whacked the guitars out!).

Sunday I joined them at their weekly fellowship, instead of attending a church they meet in a friends home with around 20-30 of them, and that morning Neacail, Lauric led the worship and I also sung with (singing a new song they had taught me also). Then we had a lovely lunch together and ended up chilling watching a movie. Then because they know I love art they took me to Bloemfonteins art gallery which was great! And then we all sat outside on the grounds on a blanket drinking coffee and chatting, kicking a football around etc.

Monday was my last day as my flight left around 6oclock. But we spent the morning going to a history museum in Bloemfontein (unfortunately as I write this I dont have the name of it with me!) and we learnt all about the history of south africa over the last hundred+ years. It was very interesting and we spent a good couple hours there. At 12oclock we all went to the mall and to a restuarant called Cape Town Fish Market.

Then we returned home and playing guitars by the pool and chatted again etc. and I packed up my stuff. The flight to Cape Town went fine so arrived around 7 in the evening. Feel so very fortunate and grateful that the Warton family were willing to offer me their home again! I wasnt sure how long I was due to stay as I hadnt booked my flight to Jo'burg yet but I knew I had a good week to enjoy atleast! It was full of adventure, most days I went out on the Metro early morning and spent the day somewhere doing something! Things i did included: 2 art galleries in cape centre and the south african museum, green market square, walk around the waterfront, a day at Simons Town (where there was a navy and air festival!), visit to Kalk Bay and Muizenburg and St James beaches and of course Fish Hoek. There was even at shark at Muizenburg so we all got called out the water but they lost sight of it so couldnt go back in for hours! I also did a lot of walking along the main costal road, including a beautiful 2 hour walk saturday mornin from Kalk Bay to Simons Town.

That tuesday I decided to book a flight to Jo'burg and the spend the last 4/5 days in Gauteng. Tuesday my flight was due to leave at 12.20 and Mama Sarah veyr kindly dropped me at the airport. Flight was a little bit turbulent I must say but arrived safely to be greeted my Louise and Kevin! A lovely couple Kirstin introduced me to out here and they offered to pick me up and chill at their thats afternoon! So we had a good catch up and they even made Nachos! Have seen them quite a lot in South Africa so was sad to say goodbye but I'm sure I'll be coming back this country anyway! They very kindly dropped me again the gautrain which meant I could travel into Centurian where another friend was to meet me (I've been so spoilt!).

Arrived at Centurian station at around 7oclock and Tommy met me there, I was to stay at his home with his family for 2 nights. They are a great bunch of people, very Africanse and his father was hilarious! Tuesday evening we went out to one of his friends birthday partys where they were braaiing etc. met lots of cool people and chatted (which included sending Temba in the pool as he lost a round of Rock Paper Scissors!!). Then we left aorund 10.30 and went to Menlyn Square in Pretoria where there are some nice chilled places you can sit and have a drink. Then the next day it was public holiday! Great timing hey because it meant Tommy had the day off work to do things. His friends were having a party on the Varsity sport's grounds! So arrived around midday and slowly lots of people started arriving! We were all chilling on blankets in the shade and begun a huge braai.

By 3.30pm we were getting ready to leave as we were going to see a live cricket match! I was dead excited as Ive never seen live sports or cricket!! But by the time we arrived and had bought our tickets and found some good seats, we watched the team score a few 4 pointers before the thunderstorm hit! Huge clouds and rain, which is great when it;s been so hot all day but not when you wanna see a live cricket match! We hung around for about an hour to see if it would blow over but it wasn't so we headed home. We just chilled in the evening chatting to his parents and ended up all watched television and then a movie.

Thursday everybody was working, so I had to day all to myself which was rather strange when your in somebody's home! But they have a guitar and spent a lot of time sketching and drawing which was great to get back to the things I love!! But I had spoken to Briony and since she au pairs in the afternoon she came and picked me up at 1oclock and we took the children to Irene Farm! It was great it was free to go in and there were lots of chickens, ducks, cows and baby cows that could come lick your hands. The girls loved it and the grounds were so beautiful. Then she dropped me back at Tommy's so I culd pack my bags and say goodbye to the family that evening. But before leaving we jammed ont he guitar and jumped in the pool! And when I mean jump, I mean climbed the wall by the pool and jumped off it!! Was so sick! Had so much fun but the water was freezing! Then sadly it was about 7oclock and I had to say another goodbye.

And onto the next amazing set of people that are really set in my hearts now, Auntie Carey, Briony and Kendall! That thursday evening we had a lovely supper (Ken still at hostel at shcool till friday) and then me and Bri ended up falling asleep on the couch! NExt morning Briony had college from 8-12pm so I spent the morning with her mum we went shopping and got froxen yogurt and chatted. Was really enjoyable and were home by 12. Then I went again with Briony on her au pairing job, we collected the girls and took them to ballet class so cute! We were actually finished by 2.30 so that was great! Then we went backt o hers and saw Kendall and I took the opportunity to jump straight into the pool for the very last time! Tried to get their dog Alfie in too, quite amusing, I love that dog.

Then that evening Briony and Auntie Carey were going to see a show at Pretoria Girls High as sadly the tickets got mixed up (they meant to go tuesday). But it was fine as Kendall and I enjoyed a lovely supper together - she cooked me vegetable bake and chicked :) and then we chilled and chatted and then I began getting ready as we were going to Menlyn Square for my last night. So Briony's partner Levi picked me up at 9.30pm and we met Bri there and then also her other friends too. Then I spoke to Cameron and he was also out at Menlyn so I went and met up with him too. Had a great last night, Levi Bri and myself then left around 1oclock and got some stodgy food. (8million Bacons... private joke!).

Saturday. My last ever day. Sadly the family, besides Cameron, were all busy going to a wedding about 3 hours drive away. So they left in the morning and after an emotional goodbye Levi dropped me at Cam's place. Since I was now in Hatfield, 2 other volunteers at TYB left the day before and went spending the weekend relaxing in pretoria before they head to Malawi this monday morning. So Cameron was very sweet and drove so we could all meet up and us girls went and got lunch and walked around the malls and sat and had a drink in the 'Oxford' pub at Hatfield Square. Was amazing to see the girls again, they had been at TYB since end of January and meant I could hear all about the children and the move etc. since Ive left and we all got along really well as friends so just had a great laugh. Not only have I got to visit SA again, and Germany to see Maggie, but also now Amsterdam haha!

Then Cameron came picked us up, said goodbye to the girls and I went back to his to take a quick shower and chill before my flight!!! Was getting pretty anxious to say the least by this point, but I knew the time would come. My flight was due to be at 8.15 flying with SAA, so Cameron dropped me at the station in plenty of time and we departed. But as if I wasnt dreading the flight enough, then from being there since 6oclock we all see the 'delayed' sign appears. Lots of planes seemed to be delayed but ours did not have a new expected time of departure. The hours passed by and I was getting tired, and of course we were all hungry too as I hadn't eaten since 12oclock after expecting supper on the plane (and worked it out so I had no more Rands).

I just stood there as I hate sitting in the airport for hours knowing that I'll be sat on a plane anyway for the next 11 hours, my phones battery started running low but was able to chat to a few people and update them of the delay. Atleast it kept my mind of the actual sadness of leaving! Haha. So by 12.45 we hear a call to say it is now ready to board!! They said that the catering company who supplies all their food and water have been on strike so no water etc. on the plane..... But anyway so we were sat on the plane by about 1oclock but they were still coming through with trolleys of water for the next 15 mins. Then after the breif and saftey instructions I think we actually had lift off at about 1.45am.

It is now 9 oclock in the morning South African Time and we've been told it will be expecting to land around 12.15pm. I believe the clocks changed in England today so I think that will be around 11oclock GBT. When I message my dad last night I said 'Maybe South Africa isn't ready to let me go yet! Maybe its a sign I should stay! haha' and his response: 'Or its just a sign that we should have a lie in tomorrow'. BRILLIANT!

Anyways they just about to serve tea and coffee, havent been able to sleep very well but regardless I can sleep at home. Going to be a hectic day I think meeting and greeting family shortly and all my friends tonight!

Just want to say a short message before I say goodbye: Thankyou to every single person who has been reading this blog, it means a lot to think that people actually care what Im doing, and especially raise awareness of the work they do at Tshepo Ya Bana. Thankyou to everyone who has taken time to email and message me, as you may have seen Im useless at keeping up to date with everything and for that I apologise, something I must work on when I travel next!

I feel so blessed to have experienced all the things I have in the last 8+ months, and met some incredible people along the way. I wouldn't change a thing. A message to all those in South Africa who have cared for me, housed me, and well basically put up with me - thankyou and well done! Haha. Take care and I have you all my hearts, and hope to see you again some day soon!!!!

(Oh dear, this is weird.) Farewell all, Bon vogage, Au reviour, CHOU!

Written 5th March (late updating sorry folks!)

So the past few weeks have been full of different happenings. I'll first update you with the things I have been up to then inform you of all the changes at Tshepo Ya Bana this month.

Last friday 24th was a great day as in the evening myself and 2 of the other girls went across to Tamboti Lodge to watch the rugby match between the Blue Bulls and the Lions! A veyr important match out here! We enjoyed a nice cold beer and relaxing by the television and then also decided to order a pizza and then Derek offered to take us on a game drive he was planning on doing that evening. So we had another chance to go on a game drive which was great! Sadly didn't see any of the large animals but saw plenty others!

That saturday 25th I had specifically asked if I could take off in order to take the four bigger boys (ages 11-13) to go into Pretoria Menlyn shopping mall and take them all to the movies and then get food afterwards. So that's what we did,we all got popcorn and slush and enjoyed a good movie then went to the pizza place for lunch. It was nice to treat the bigger boys and spend some time with them too as we all get on great. It is also nice for them to get the chance to get away from the other children and the farm for a bit else their weekends are very boring!

That evening myself and the 2 other girls I share a room with, Maggie and Arike, realised it was our last evening sharing a room all together because Maggie leaves 5th March and I leave the 8th and until then we had to take it in turns with night duty int he main house. So we had a girly evening, i cut Arike's hair and painted Maggies nails and we enjoyed some sweeties!

Work was same as usual on sunday but that Monday was my day off but I was still awake at 7oclock. I watched a movie and Mark needed to go get a new pair of shoes, and as men always need womens help he asked if I would like to come to Jubilee Mall with him which is just in Hammanskraal. So we spent a few hours searching over lots of shops. Then in the afternoon , Tom has been nagging me to go to Nando's with him as he loves it almost as much as me (a famous Portugese restaurant) so I decided I would go with Mark when he collects the boys from school and he would be able to drop us there to get takeaway. Maggie also came as she was free at the time so we all tucked in to nice Nando's with all the boys and Mark! That evening since I was off, I chilled in the cottage playing lots of guitar.

Maggie, Arike and myself also decided it would nice for us to go to Tamboti lodge for a breakfast before we all leave so AGAIN we went and ate out. It was very nice to sit outside in the quietness of the lodge and enjoy breakfast. I had a two hour break from work so then it was all hands on deck again afterwards.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I was on night duty (my last ever!). Buhle our prem baby has been struggling lots with wind so on my first night it meant only 30 minutes kip, as soon all the other babies were awake needing bottles. But you get to sleep all morning so it's not a problem.

But also on thursday all of girls decided we must go out for a final meal before 2 of us leave. So AGAIN it meant a meal out (you'll notice Ive been out to eat a ridiculous amount this week!!! Eek!) But was another lovely evening and time spent with all the girls and enjoying my last time across at Derek's place.

Then this saturday was lovely. Since Maggie and myself leave this week they always take the volunteers out for a meal.... so off we wernt at 1oclock to Mongena Lodge. Sho'. You may want to look this up on google because it is a beautiful lodging place and very expensive. We got to sit out on our own private deck, because there was a large party of people in the restaurant, and we looked out on a lovely dam which had a baby crocodile in and also lots of kingfishers darting for food. And I ate ostrich fillet! Very tasty and we also enjoyed a desert and cuppacino. We ended up arriving back at Tshepo Ya Bana at 4pm so spent a good while relaxing and enjoying eachother company for the final time.

Sunday was another eventful day as Mark and Chris were attending church in the evening so they had a big braai in the afternoon and Kirsin also had 2 friends down for a braai who I also chat to quite a bit and was nice to see before I leave. And then that evening Maggie and myself were invited to Mama Joye's for supper (she stays on-site as works as a cleaner.) Her and her daughter, Violinda, are really lovely and originally from Zimbabwe. But they made us proper south african food which we had to eat with our hands! Loved it, and we also stayed and watched a movie and chatted looking through some of their old photographs. Great night, and Maggies final night! It's sad because she has been here since September and we have grown close but we hope to visit eachother in the future!

Now to update you all on Tshepo Ya Bana. Well it is going through a lot of change currently. Firstly to explain how it works at the moment: Mark and Chris run the place and live in the main house with the 4 bigger boys who are permantent, and the other children/babies that are put temporarily into Tshepo Ya Bana care. Because they are now being registered it means they must have the temporary children seperate from the permanent children. Therefore the plan is - Mark, Chris and the 4 boys will move out of the main house and into the house that is currently known as the volunteers cottage (where I stay). Yet this means that they will move the volunteers in the main house but of course need permanent people to be house parents (volunteers cant run this place alone).

They have finally found suitable house parents (if you read one of my blogs back in July/August you will read about an African couple and daughter who came to us one evening). Therefore the couple were approached about the role as working as house parents at Tshepo Ya Bana but will be a apid job for them (Mark and Chris recieve no income from TYB therefore they have also had to consider financially how support the change.)

But the plan is going ahead/had gone ahead. Papa Christian and Mama Claudia (and Faith, 4 years old) moved into the guest cottage last thursday and will shortly move into the main house once Mark and Chris have completed the mammoth task of moving out and volunteers moving up. This is due to happen just 5 days after I leave. Yet there is also a huge amount of building work that needs to be done for this to be possible. They must build 2 bathrooms and also another room for Faith, and must also tile all the flooring and try to fit 5 volunteers in two small rooms that the boys currently live in.

Then Mark and Chris will be able to take a back seat and start to enjoy retirement, whilst looking after their permantent kids. And Papa Christian and Mama Claudia will take over the role of 'Mummy and Daddy' doing school runs, DIY jobs, helping wiht ngiht shifts, cooking supper, administration work, contacts etc.

This place needs a lot of prayer. Firstly for the children that they would not be too confused, or damaged by all the different changes (volunteers coming and going and Mark and Chris moving out and a new family moving in). Secondly, financially to be able to do all the building work, salaries etc. Thirdly, that Papa Christian and Mama Claudia would settle in and pick up how live at Tshepo Ya Bana works and exactly what needs to be done to keep this place going. Fourthly, that these children would actually GET ADOPTED! The social workers and courts are not doing a lot, many of these children should be either back witht heir families, or up for adoption. But nothing seems to be happening to many of them. There are currently 18 children and we need prayer that these children will finally go to families (in and around Hammanskraal or overseas to places like Luxemburg, Holand, Germany etc.).

2 weeks to go at Tshepo Ya Bana!

As usual, I wrote this 2 days ago but internet went down for a couple days! Haha! But nevertheless here is my update since my return!

So Monday 6th I arrived back at the infamous Tshepo Ya Bana! It was such a warm welcome from all the kids, we all thought I'd be coming back Tuesday so they were all surprised and ran and jumped on me! It was so lovely to give them all a big kiss and welcome me back. Koki didn't want to leave my side so he had quietly followed me down to my cottage so when I opened my suitcase and then looked up to see his big eyes looking at me I got a bit of a lump in my throat. Love them all so much.

That day I quickly unpacked, Im in a different room now, sharing with Arike and Maggie which is great. We are all very easy-going and get on great and whoever is doing night shift or early shift try to keep as quiet as possible!! The next couple days I also manaed to finally skype my family which was very needed!

That thursday Arike and Maggie approached me and said they have arranged for us to go to Derek's lodge across the road for supper to celebrate my birthday! I was so touched! So after work Mark drove us there (a two second drive, yet we cant walk because of the lions which is frustrating!) we had a lovely meal, there were 6 of us there! We now have 6 girls in the cottage which is massive. We now always have someone doing night shift duty and can share the work-load!

That sunday I also managed to skype my family again, it had just been my Granny's birthday so they were having a big party and we usually celebrate mine alongside it. Was sad not to be there but great to see all of their faces and my little cousin is growing up very fast! Cant wait to see him when Im home!

I also did night shift duty Saturday, Sunday and Monday which can be very full-on. Our premature baby is having trouble with wind so giving her Colic drops in each bottle but means she is very restless and can keep you awake most of the night. And at the same time as feeding and settling her, one night, I had Thato awake screaming for a bottle, Mapule woke up for a bottle and Gomolemo refused to go back to sleep so he was crawling around the floor - bearing in mind that was at 4o'clock in the morning it was pretty hectic. But you get to sleep all morning so we aren't all zombies don't worry!!

Friday was my day off and got to go in Pretoria as that is Chris's food shop day and collecting Fetsi from his boarding school. And since Maggie has doen night she she had the chance ot come with! So we got dropped at a local mall and looked in some shops and got some bits and bobs and then went for lunch. It was lovely, in the 6/7 months we've been here it was the first chance we'd had to go anywhere together! So we enjoyed it very much, especially as we both depart South Africa soon.

That friday we also all planned to go on a night game drive and chipped in to take Mark and Chris with us so they could also enjoy it! So after supper Derek came and picked us up on his big truck and Mama Joye came over to babysit for the evening. It was a shame we didnt see any big animals i.e. giraffe or rhino but we did see plenty other animals including a huge herd of zebra running from us but incredibly close. Lots of imapala, jackals, wildabeast, blespock and more.

We got home around 11.30pm and the next morning Mark took me and Maggie to go to a farm near-by so we could do the Microlight!! I had done it previously once before in August with Saskia a past volunteer. But couldn't refuse the chance to do it again, and it was only 300Rand. I went at 6.30am nice and early and in the air the guy asked if I wanted to ride over Tshepo Ya Bana etc. and I asked if theres any chance to try and find the elephants. He warned me there was a chance we wouldn't see them, and had to be very lucky but I wanted to take the chance! So we travelled further north in the game reserve to where they have been known to stay and BOOOOYAAA!! WE SAW THEM! As far as I could make out there were 5 or 6, only managed to get a few decent pictures but we fly over and around them a couple times and went down close. It was amazing, but you can see where they are destroying the bush and trampling down so many trees! There are 11 in total but the game reserve don't want them to multiply because they are causing a bit of havoc!

Sunday we and Maggie had our turn to go to church and decided we would attend Mama Joye's church which is a great lively african church that Ive told you about before. We had a good service but got hom with just 10 minutes to grab some food then back on shift so was a bit crazy as I hadnt had a chance to stop since 6o'oclock. But was nice ot go to church together and enjoy perhaps my last service.

This week has been good so far, busy as usual. The toddlers are as funny as ever. Just to quote some of the funny things these boys come out with:

Me: "Tshepang did your cup fall in the sink?"
Tshepang: "Yes Auntie, it was sinking"

(Koki sneezes and some yummy stubstance drips down)

Tshepo David (very concerned!): "Oh. Auntie look at Koki's nose! It's falling down!"

Sat outside on a hot day Kamo comes to me and say's

"Gemma it's hot.
"Yes."

Then as Kamo tries to climb onto my lap..

"Well, if it's hot its not a good idea to cuddle me."

I take him off. He looks at me with these big beautiful eyes...

"Auntie... it's cold."

There are many more hilarious things but they stick out in my mind right now! Im pleased to report our premature baby is doing amazing, she has doubled in weight since she arrived to us at 1,6kg and drinking 100ml every 3 hours. She is gorgeous but as I said still struggling with wind. And Oarabile, our little girl, is happy as ever. She is gradually getting better, starting to move and try to do more, sitting in a chair and highchair which is great and making lots of groaning noises. She can get grumpy if she's not happy and gets very very frustrated if she can't do something, for example, we try to let her have a spoon when feeding to try also feed herself but if you ever try help her or take the spoon away she will scream the house down. You can see the pain in her face for the fact that she can no longer do any of these simple things, especially when 6 months ago she could do everything. She turns 2 years old next month! And I am growing far too attatched with our 7 month old boy Nao, dreading saying goodbye to him. I love them all to pieces but in 2 weeks time it will be goodbye!

Thanks for all your love and support, nearly the end of my journey at Tshepo Ya Bana but am planning a nice 2 weeks of holiday before returning to England on 24th March!

Love to you all back home and thinking of you in that cold, horrible rainy weather as Im enjoying my last few weeks in 35degree heat, next to a swimming pool, staring out at the bush. (We had zebra's outside the gate last night and when we drove home the other day at 6oclock it was still 30degree!!)

Not to make any of you jealous or anything.....

Peace!!

'We're all going on a Summer Holiday...'

Now we are already the middle of Febuary and it was 3 weeks ago I was packing to leave for my holiday. My plan is to just inform you all of my daily activites, that way wont ramble on for hours.

So Tuesday 24th January I was dropped at the Gautrain to go to the aiport and was off in the air by 3.40pm on my two hour flight to Cape Town. As my dad would say, it let me catch up on 40 winks! Then I was greeted by Giselle giving me a huge smile, and a well needed bottle of coke. That evening I helped her mum prepare the supper and settled into my home for the next 9 days!

Wednesday we had a family outing with Gramps, Mama Sarah, Gigi and I - we went to beautiful botanical gardens in Vergelegen, Somerset West, and also drove through some other places including Franschoek and also Stelenbosch (to pick up one of their sons). We spent the evening together.

Thursday was a day to remember - Gigi, Michael (a guy actually also staying with them from Bournemouth) and myself trekked, hiked, marched, walked and climbled (yes even climbed ladders) to get up table mountain, and even made our own way down again at the cost of twisting my ankle and having several black toes! But what a day!! Most amazing views and then in the evening we had a well deserved Braai all sat around the table! Proper south african food and all.

Friday the family had their own things to do, so I took myself off to the shops at a place called Claremont and spent some money on clothes! Which felt good to treat myself for a bit! Then when I arrived home their friend Cloe was there so we spent some time chatting together and hired out some movies from Blockbuster. Cloe then took Michael to the airport which was a rather sad goodbye for them all.

Saturday 28th I met up with a contact one of my friends had given me. It was such a beautiful day and so we stopped into Kalk Bay first and then went to Muizenburg beach and sat on the seafront watching the surfers and had a delicious meal at a restaurant and drove back through a lovely route with many vineyards! That evening I decided I should treat the family so we all went to Hout Bay and had fish'n'chips on the beach by the harbour and walked all around and even saw the seals!

Sunday we went to their church in the morning which was a lovely service and then I spent some time alone just chilling in the garden. Then Fleur had cooked a lovely meal and their other sister and hudband came over and we all had a lovely sunday lunch together. That evening I went with Gigi to her church which was full of young people from all backgrounds which was great to experience.

Monday me and Gigi had a wonderful long day out - went to the waterfront to begin with which was right in the heart of Cape Town where there are some beautiful boats, seals to sport, tourist places and we even stopped into the Aqauarium which I was recommended to go to. It was brilliant. We then travelled down the coastline to Camps Bay - which as you may know has the best view of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles and we watched the sunset over the water. Then ate a well earned meal at a lovely Italian restaurant on the seafront. A long but great day.

Tuesday was a relaxing morning in the garden for me, listening to music and chilling. That afternoon Gigi, Cloe and myself first visited Kalk Bay with lots of hippy shops and book shops and cafes. Then we drove down through to Fish Hoek - my favourite beach of Cape Town yet also famous for its shark attacks. We had a nice ice-cream and sat on the beach. That evening I helped cook supper and relaxed - they had a piano and was so great to get back on the keys!

Wednesday I went by myself out for the day, first popped into Cape Town and wandered around some of the markets then spent the rest of the day at Fish Hoek sunning myself and relaxing on the beach! 6 months without the sea was too long for me! Then when I got home Mama Sarah and I went to a shopping mall and looked around and then brought for so I could cook them all some mexican food for my last night there! They loved it! And since it was my last evening Gigi and I got dressed up and went out for drinks and cocktails at a nice place somewhere in Cape Town ha. And we met some guys that we sokkied with!! So much fun, proper african dancing.

Thursday was the day I had to leave but first I went to the beach in the morning and then Mama Sarah and I had to put 4 loads of washing in at the lauderette and before I left I decided I just HAD to do wine tasting. So it was rather rushed, but we went to a beautiful place in Constantia area and did some wine tasting - the Port was by far my favourite! Then quickly packed my things and boarded the plane back to Jo'burg. So sad to say goodbye, such a beautiful family.

When I arrived in Jo'burg I took the guatrain to Centurion where I was met by Bri. We then went out that evening to Cam's place where all his friends were and we stayed till about 10.30 then headed into Hatfield Square where we spent the rest of the evening. They even brought little bottles of champagne that we sneaked in for when it turned midnight!! So so sweet.

My actual birthday was spent with their family most of the day, we picked Ken up from school and looked around the shopped, stopped in at Bri's boyfriends house for a bit, and helped the family as they are currently moving rooms around. That evening they made a lovely meal for us all the enjoy and even got Milk Tart and cupcakes and sang me happy birthday! Then, Briony, Levi and myself headed to Jo'burg with 2 of their friends to go to a place called Manhattans where we danced the night away till about 1.30pm then got Mcdonalds and headed home!

Saturday was a lazy morning and then Ken, Cam and I decided to bake some cookies! Then Cam's friend had a 21st braai in the afternoon which we went to and then we both dropped into Hatfield Square again as they were having live bands play in the Square most of the afternoon/evening. December Streets were the best band there and most of the band members fo to Cam's university. Then we headed back to his house with his housemates and attempted making waffles which failed miserably.

Sunday we had egg and soldiers and it started thunderstorming for hours, hailing it down! So we watched a movie and chilled out, played pool for about 2 hours then went with one of his flatmates and a couple friends to Menlyn where we did Ten Pin Bowling (which I absolutely suck at!). We then went to church in the evening which was great. Then Bri picked me up and we went back to theirs (well.. eventually after power cuts stopped us getting into their house because we couldnt open the gate!).

The next morning we WERE going to spend chilling by the pool and go for a bike ride and then were going to see a rugby game in the evening but Mark called to come pick me up as it was easier to get a lift back to the farm there and then. So I departed monday and arrived back here midday. Was great to see the children again and they gave me huge hugs!

And that pretty much rounds up my holiday! I will tell more on my last month here next time I get around to filling you all in :)

All my love and thankyou for all the birthday wishes, I had a great time away!!! x

Lekker!

So I am here sending my christmas and new year wishes to everybody - slightly late I must say but a long time with no internet and power cuts almost daily doesn't help! I will pick up from where I left off.

So Thursday 22nd December 2012 I will forever as the day we said our final goodbye to our baby boy, just four months of age. It was a lovely funeral, a world away from the ones Im used to. His mother and grandmother attended the funeral, and I have to admit I had a misconception that his mother did not care. Of course, any mother, no matter the circumstances, would be affected by loosing their child. We showed her a few pictures we had of her son, the son she never saw and her cries will ring in my eyes for a long time. An emotional yet joyful day. Joyful because he is now with the Lord.

That sunday was christmas as we all know and what a day! On christmas eve I got to be Santa's little helpful filling the toddlers stockings and wrapping the few presents we bought for the babies. Obviously we don't go overboard with christmas as we have 18 children here at present but they each got little things.

There were 35-40 people at the supper table that evening - all Mark and Chris's family and loved ones. Was such a great time to spend with many different people and they shared presents between themselves which was nice to see.

Maggie, the other volunteer, then left on holiday with her family for 2 weeks which left little old me on my own for 4 days before the new volunteer arrived. As you can imagine I didnt get much time to stop but was great, we still had family coming and going, and the children were good as ever.

That thursday we also recieved news of a NEW premature baby girl who would be joining Tshepo Ya Bana! She weighed just 1,6 kg and is so beautiful. Looking at her and seeing her progress these last few weeks she is doing excellent and started drinking just 25ml... now we are making bottles of 60ml!!

Most of the family had left by this time but one of their daughters who lives in South Africa stayed for the whole wek with her 3 children ages 18, 16 and 14. And they were brilliant fun as they played guitar (so we did lots of jamming) and played lots of games and watching movies together which was awesome.

That saturday on new years eve more fmaily came up to the farm so we had a big Potjie (three infact!) one Impala, one Chicken and one spicy chicken. Again we had around 30 people at the supper table then we shared some time around the bonfire and singing.

The last few weeks were getting back into the routine of things as more and more volunteers have been coming (thank goodness!). Auntie Arika arrived from Holand and also a couple who have been here previously came to help out also and they are from New Zealand. I have met them many times before and they are a great couple and stayed 10 days will Maggie returned from her holiday.

On 4th January we had another volunteer arrive from Holand also he called Ruben and has been travelling around SA lately. And saturday just passed we had ANOTHER volunteer arrive called Tine who is from Belgium. Right now we are having 5 volunters which is fantastic help.

Besides the news about the premature baby the children are the same as ever, we have started to potty train our two-year-old and he is fantastic! Doing brilliantly (she says after having to clean up a rather nasty suprise in his pants this morning) yet besides that he is picking it up super quick.

One of the toddlers has also been making me laugh lots and lots - the other day we were outside and the wall was sizzling hot and when he touched it he asked 'Auntie why is it so hot?' I replied 'Well, it is because of the sun.' After some deep thinking he turns to me and says 'Auntie Gemma. The sun is a little bit naughty.'

And the other morning when I was on first shift, I had finished all the baths and dressing them all and just crashed out on the couch with a big sigh and he comes and sits on my lap. He rests his head on my shoulder and shortly after he lifts his head and says 'Auntie, Im not sleeping Im just resting up!' Brilliant! I replied 'Dont worry, me too!'

The other week on my day off I also got lucky and managed to get a lift into Pretoria for the evening and stayed at a friends house and was going to get a lift home the next day. It was great, my second night out in 6 months! We went to a nice bar in town and the next day we walked their dogs, he showed me around some of the places in Pretoria etc. Was nice to meet people and get out for a while!

This time next week I will also be on a plane! I am travelling to Cape Town for 9 days and then will be spending my birthday weekend in Pretoria with friends. Can't wait - a well earned break I feel! My flight home has also been arranged for 24th March but I will be elaving Tshepo Ya Bana on the 14th and hoping to travel and see some people before flying back to the UK.

I will update you all next tine on my holiday and travels!

Sending all my love to you and hope your festive seasons were full of joy!!

Brap! xxxxxx
P.S Happy birthday to Josie and Rachel and Guy and Lee and any others that have slipped my mind just now! Love you all tons and tons!

Gone but not forgotten.

Im sad to inform you all that our little premature baby boy, died on 15th December 2012 at 5pm (3pm GTM) after suffering lung failure and cardiac arrest. He had been kept on ventilators since monday and had to be resucitated three times.

He was visited during the hours of 3-4pm and when Chris arrived home she recieved a call to say he had passed away. As you can imagine we are all in complete shock, although he was 12 weeks premature, he arrived here at 5 weeks old and has been a strong healthy baby since.

We must celebrate the short life he had with us, the only family he ahd ever known, and praise the Lord for him. I hope you will join us all in this prayer.

November and December update so far

Well what a long time since I blogged, quite mad at myself because now I have to try and think of everything thats happened so I will try and keep things short and simple! It has been quite a rollercoaster as usual.

Our little girl who had been in hospital is doing very well, making progress every week little by little, she can almost poke her tounge out a little and is starting to hold her head up for longer. Still a long way to go, shockingly there has been no follow up appointments or explanation from the hospitals so we must just keep at it.

At the end of November the other couple who are volunteers, Herrie and Hans travelled home to Holand for one week as they have just become grandparents! SO that was lovely news for them. it meant a tough week for me and Maggie looking after all the children but of course you just have to keep yourself focused on what needs doing.

And on the 1st of December Kirstin actually come home from Belgium, she had a problem trying to find a family so after about 6 weeks in Belgium she decided it was best to come home and find work here. It was unfortunate for her but nice for us girls to have some more company! Though she is not on shift like us volunteers, she gives the odd help to feed a baby etc.

That sunday Mark and Chris were going, with the four older boys, on holiday. They have all just finished their school year and have 6 weeks off, exams all finished, and they havent managed to have a holiday in I think they said 6 years or something! They left on sunday and were staying 4 nights.

Although it was lovely for them it meant a heck of a busy time for us, luckily Kirstin did night duty every evening and me and Maggie did back-up 2 nights each. Then Herrie did the cooking and helped in the day, and we had another girl come and help called Briony, her sister also came down for 2 nights to help. It was a non-stop week.

Sadly I have some very bad news to report though. On the sunday evening Kirstin noticed our premature babies breathing was really fast and so we took him to the clinic the next day. They thought it was just very mild pnuemonia so gave him some medicines and vitamins for us to give him. But that evening we were all incredibly worried because he was breathing around 60bpm and not drinking his bottles much, maybe 40ml ervy 4 hours or so. So then we were worried he may start becoming dehydrated and keep getting worse.

That evening we took him to Jubilee Hospital, they carried out some tests but said the same as the clinic and told us to carry on using the medicines, if he didnt improve in 4 days time to bring him back. Considering he was 3 months premature, and 4 months old yet only weighed 4kg, we were till very on edge.

By wednesday evening I was with him the whole night and there was still no improvements. He was on my chest for about 4 hours and his breathing was horrific, 100bpm. I was on night duty with Kirstin and was going to just keep him on my chest all night to monitor him, yet I knew this was not right. So we called Hans to take him to hospital again.

He was admitted overnight, and when we visited him thursday he had a very slight improvments. Chris then arrived home on thursday evening and I went with her on fridya to visit him. (It was really sad for me, as it brought back memories of when i brought Oarabile into hospital) He had made great progress, he was just on a drip and being fed from a cup. Saturday he was also visited and was doing well, the nurses were hoping he would be home with us by monday.

Sunday no-one was able to go visit him, as it was just such a busy day yet monday morning at 11.30am Chris got a phonecall to say they wanted to move him to another hospital (the same hospital Oarabile was transferred to also) and that he had massively deteriorated. Chris was in Pretoria but went straight to hospital, and considering it was emergency it took them 3 hours to get an abulance! He was put in an incubater, with breathing tubes, feeding tubes, everything.

Yesterday was my day off and I was so blessed to be able to go with Chris to see him. He is in the Adult Intensive Care Unit. Well, what can I say. A very emotional time. He was in the adults ICU for some reason, we can only assume maybe he will be cared for better there than the children unit, maybe better equipment and staffing. So he is in a room with 5 other grown men. I was looking around dreading to think how they all got here. And our little prem baby looked so tiny on this huge bed, with 6 or 7 different tubes. They were even giving him blood we could see.

But all of a sudden, the staff gathered around and started to sing, the most beautiful harmonious African song, and then held hands and prayed. Would you ever see that in England?

There is no improvements with our little man, we are just hoping he gets better and better with all the tubes he is on etc. A very emotional time.

Then the other thing that happened on monday - the two year old boy that went back to his family in October, has now been brought back. The mother has disappeared, and the faily have heard nothing, she has a history of running away with men so we assume she has just run away again and left her poor son. The aunties and famliy are not willing to take care of him, so after just 2 months he is back! Its horrific. He is the most gorgeous little boy, and he has also changed a lot. It's so hard trying to get him back into the routine of things here, he is incredibly naughty now and demands all your attention, he's obviously used to being the children. He has also lost a lot of weight which is worrying.

Now Im not sure who knows about my visa situation but I had trouble getting it extended. It actually meant me and Mark taking a little road trip! We travelled to Botswana to the border crossing at Martin's Drift on 23rd November. It was wicked, we drove through all the mountains and it was beautiful. We also drove through some of the most desolate places, many little townships where people live in little shacks. Saw some horrific sights, but also some beautiful sights. When we stayed the night in Botswana, we stayed at a lodge and had a nice braai in the evening, and even had a hippo laid on the embankment on the river, just in front of our lodge! And the next morning were awakened by monkeys at the window and climbing the roof!

It was about a 6 hour drive to the border, and back home took a little less, but had to stop for food etc. but it meant my visa is now sorted till my flight in January. But yesterday I went again to Home Affairs to see if I could extend it a further couple of months. Eurgh it was a drag, its like standing in a sauna, no proper lights, the smallest stingy room, waiting in a queue for almost 3 hours. Had to see the lady then go and queue to pay the fee at a different counter then go back to the original lady to show her the reciept, only to find out I dont know if it will be accepted or rejected, I must go back in 30 days.

So Im a little confused because they took the money etc. and if I am staying I must change my flight, yet there is still a change it could be rejected for whatever reason so will have to make a decision on whether to change my flight or not yet.

Today Hans and Herrie have left Tsepho Ya Bana, so now we are jsut myself and Maggie till after Christmas when we get a new girl coming on 29th December. But Maggie is actually going on holiday with her family on Boxing Day so I will actually be alone for 4-5 days..... HELP!!! Hopefully Briony may be coming up, and assuming Kirstin doesnt have a job by then she will most likely help also.

Anyways, best be off now. Its 2 of our boys birthdays today - one has turned 1 years of age and one has turned 4!!!

Speak to you all soon xxx

This I wrote yesterday, but we had no internet again due to huge storms so Im uploading this a day late. But it also means I can update on further news about our little premature baby.

The nurse caleld this morning to say that there are no improvements, his heart gave in twice (yesterday and this morning) and they had to resucitate him both times. The nurse did not sound very hopeful, awe are expecting the worst and it is such a horrific time. I keep looking at his cot, and his bottles that are sterilised ready to make a bottle for him, and his tiny premature clothes and nappies. Every time Chris' phone rings we are all on edge.

And even worse, the mum and dad were called by the social worker to have a meeting to explain to them that their child is extremely sick and fighting for his life.... the parents never even showed up.

All we can do is pray, and we place his life in the Lord's hand. His will be done x