RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.
Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future
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RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future |
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| July 9, 2006 Dear Readers, Ralph and I left the U.S. June 23rd and arrived in South Africa June 25th. Ashley, our 15 year old grand-daughter accompanied us on this trip. We spent a day with friends in Pretoria, SA and then all of us drove to Krueger National Park. The trip to the park was for Ashley’s benefit. We felt that a trip to Africa would not be complete without the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Our trip involved a stay at three different camps in the park. Ralph and I were disappointed that we did not see more animals than we did. However, Ashley took lots and lots of pictures. The only major animal that we did not see was a rhino. We saw a leopard but it was too far away to get a good picture. Just before we left the park, we saw vultures in a tree and then noticed a spotted hyena pacing around. There was apparently a kill not far away. Unfortunately, the vegetation was too dense to see anything. On several occasions we saw elephants up close. July 1 we attempted to cross Beitbridge into Zimbabwe. Our plan was to cross early in the morning and drive to Harare that day. However, best laid plans do not always work out. Perhaps God was reminding us that patience is necessary when we come to Africa. This day was a true test of patience, 12 ½ hour test. It always takes a couple of days in Harare to get oriented and ready to come to the school. We arrived at the Mission site on Wednesday, July 5 early afternoon. The children and staff were anxiously awaiting our arrival. The children were especially fascinated by Ashley. They followed her everywhere she went wanting to touch her or hold her hand. She had music playing outside our house. The children gathered around by the hundreds until it was difficult to find Ashley. Yesterday, Ashley found several games in the storeroom. One is an excellent game that teaches eye/hand coordination. She spent part of Sunday playing the game with Justice, Mr. Bondeponde’s son and also with Mrs. Bondeponde. Today, Monday, July 10 Ashley spent time with the Pre-school class. She reviewed their colors with them and then she played catch with them. The children need so much work on eye hand coordination. While Ashley was busy with the preschool class, I was called to the dispensary on several cases. I never cease to be amazed at the injuries these children suffer. While I was with Ashley in the 6th grade class on Tuesday morning, Ralph called me to the Orphan Care Center. A boy had been brought with terrible wounds on his upper legs. See attached pictures. The boy is registered with the OCC and has only a mother. The father has passed away. Apparently the legs have been like this for more than a year and they cannot afford the recommended surgery. Ralph has taken the child and the mother to the clinic to begin the process necessary to get him admitted to a hospital in Harare. Surgery will be required. Things have not changed. When word gets out that we have returned, serious cases begin to appear. The clinic sent the boy (Prosper) to the Dr. in Murewa on Tuesday. The Dr. said that he would do the necessary paper work to try and get at least a portion of the surgery paid by Welfare. The Dr. indicated that the surgery will be very expensive, approximately 40m dollars. This will put a terrible dent in our building fund. We have no choice. The infection is severe and I am surprised that the child is still alive. He can only walk a few steps and is in great pain. I wish all of you could see how well Ashley has adapted to the conditions we are faced with here. We keep telling her that she will have so many experiences to tell about when she gets home. The children love Ashley and since she has introduced them to several games, they come to our house wanting to come to their classes. She says children are always touching her hair. They are fascinated by her long blonde hair. Ashley taught some of the First Graders an Addition Bingo Game. The teacher said that after Ashley worked with the children their addition improved significantly. Ashley has been teaching some of the classes some little songs about Jesus and the Bible. Next week her plan is to put the words to music, but she wanted them to learn the English words first. They are really going to miss her when she goes home. We are in Harare at the moment and so I want to finish this and send it, if the phone line doesn’t cut out on me. Where we stayed last night in Harare there was no electricity, no water and no phone. We are at another location for this evening. Here the electricity has been out all day but is back on at the moment. Tomorrow, we are taking Ashley to a rural Mission Hospital. Since she is interested in nursing, we felt this would be a good opportunity for her to see the medical side of things in this country. This hospital is the only hospital for a surrounding population of 250,000 people. The hospital has only one doctor. On Saturday, we plan to take her to Victoria Falls by way of Bulawayo. We will stop to see Reggie and his church while in Bulawayo and then drive to Victoria Falls the next day. The time is getting away from us. Ashley has been with us for three weeks and she has been disappointed at having to be gone so much from the Mission Community. I think she has fallen in love with the children. In His Service, Ralph and Roberta |
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Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, Inc. | a 501(c)(3) charity | P.O. Box 1476 | Castle Rock, Colorado | 80104-1476 2006 Journal 01 |