Picture this; a group of small children waiting by a locked gate wearing no shoes, ripped clothes, and dirt in their hair, but with smiles from ear to ear on each of them anticipating our arrival because they knew that they would be receiving love and affection. Today, group one joined with half of group two in aiding group three in their project. When we arrived half the group went right to work, while the other half had their hands full with picking up and swinging the children around. The group that went right to work was working on a corner of the yard by picking up glass and big rocks that are hazardous to children. The backyard was in a very dangerous condition with shards of glass everywhere, garbage on and under the dirt and dog feces everywhere. Mind you this is where the South African Social Service sends there abandoned children.
Pictured below--the backyard before group 1 & 2 united with 3 to clean up the yard
Pictured below--the group in action 
The yard was the former home to a dumping ground so every imaginable thing could be found in the yard from beer bottles to wrappers to tires and old toys. We managed our time playing with the kids and picking up garbage as shown in the pictures below. We sang a few songs to pass the time and the kids were on our shoulders singing “I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky”. It was so heart-warming to see these precious children enjoying themselves.
Pictured below-The children
The only way you can slightly understand what we saw is if you ever watched one of those church commercials where a man is walking through a township with a small overwhelmingly grief stricken child. Today we were there.
Words really can’t express what we went through today and pictures can’t do justice or pass on the emotions that surfaced amongst ourselves. It’s like a man who went to war; it’s just something you have to experience to truly understand the pain and desperation. It was beyond heartbreaking leaving the children behind knowing that we probably will never see them again.
For us to carry on talking about the things we saw today will never really make a substantial difference in the lives of the children we saw. All we can do is spread the word and recommend sending money to developing countries where organizations like this are prevalent. Keep sending your children to do good work and push them to do community service. Thank you for reading our blog but now take the next step, whatever you feel or deem appropriate.
We hope that these pictures have an impact on you and that you will keep the children in mind as you live your daily lives, as well as the inhuman living conditions of their home. We speak for all of us when saying, “we will truly never be the same”.
1 comment:
You have opened our eyes and hearts to the hardships these children face daily. Thank you for your brave efforts. The time spent with these children demonstrates how fourteen, young, courageous, college students can make a difference. Your actions speak of hope.
Congratulations.
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