Home

I arrived in Thunder Bay at 9:30 pm and was greeted by my little friend, Eddie, he was beyond excited to see his gramma, lots of kisses. Oh and Roger of course lol.
Came to Lisa's to spend the night and today we will go home.
For all the Bobbi bear Team, I just want to thank-you for everything, for supporting me through the tough times, and laughing in between. It was a journey I will never forget. I carry you all in my heart, you are truly an inspiration to me.
When society dictates that someone is unworthy, you are there to prove otherwise, you love unconditionly, never judging a person.

Talk about ups and downs, we all went out for supper and then to the bar. I promised I would go once, tonight was the night.
The music was playing, Veerle sang, she was awesome, I was so impressed.
I was sitting on a bar stool and just looking around and I saw this guy come towards me. Oh my, I had to look away, I really did not want to dance, well he grabs my hand, and takes me to the dance floor. Of course the other volunteer's are laughing so much. I am dying, cause this guy is trying to dance like John Travolta. 
Then he tries to man handle me, and I walked away as quicky as I could, it was good for a laugh, but I was totally embarassed. 
We stayed till midnight and Michelle picked us up.
We were just saying when we got home, that it was good to go out, not talk about everything that is going on, and has happened. The music was too loud for conversation, so we just had fun.

Well our day here started very sad, the little baby that had the rash,over her tiny body, died through the night. We went to the park to talk to the family and the sister who is 12 was so devasted, it was all too sad, and very confusing as we left her yesterday and she seemed ok, a little listless maybe. She was vomiting bile and stopped breathing, she was rushed to hospital and died on the way there. 
I have a picture in my mind, this beautiful little baby with the bright blue eyes and cannot believe she died.
So as we were all talking about this in the car and driving along, Michelle asked me how I was, I told her I could not stop thinking about the baby and the sister.

I was interested in seeing Caravan park, it was more then I could have imagined, very, very depressing. A dirt road leading to various stages of shacks ( and or) Tents.
We are there to visit a couple of young children who are not wanted by their care givers anymore. It was so sad, they were so happy to have Jackie talking to them, showing such interest in their lives and showing that she cared. They relate to her, they talk freely to her, because they know and trust her. She is truly an inspiration to me. 

Ok, much to my friends disappointment, I did not trip or fall over, I was so proud of myself. lol
It was the nicest send off anyone could ever have. We were first dressed in the Zulu costume, Willeke, Anke, Lianna, and myself, the skirts, necklaces, etc, I was really nervous about being the center of attraction in that way.
We kind of marched our way out with the zulu women, dancing and trying to follow in song. 
Their voices are so pure and from the heart, it actually gives me goosebumps. We followed them in their dance, we held hands and danced more. Then the women came forward to do their traditional dance, ( we were told that we were being challenged, and that this is an honor) so one by one we danced to our own culture as we were told to do. The women clapped and sang and laughed, I wanted to hold that moment forever in my mind. It was so beautiful. 

Well I was hopeful to see my little friend today, but the social worker cancelled and said that I could come tomorrow. I am not too worried as I know Michelle will make it happen before I leave.
I attended a police/ community meeting with Austin today. It is good to see the people taking an interest in what is going on around them, they are tired of the crime and want to work with the police. There are just not enough police to handle the crime so the community must come together. Austin works closely with the police and knows what and where things are happening. 
Prostitution is also a problem among young girls here, there is talk of trying to legalize it before the big soccer game, so they can control it , I don't think this will happen, and if it does, there will still be no control over young girls selling their bodies for money. 

Wow, what can I say, the last two days have been so exciting. Veerle, Anke, Willeke, and I went to Hluhluwe park for 2 days, I did not have great expectations because I know that sometimes the animals are just not around for whatever reason. I told myself if I saw elephants I would be more then happy.
Day one, we left here around 6am and headed straight to the park, about 3 hours away. 
We got our cabin and dropped off our stuff and went to look for animals. Our first stop was to see a very large herd of giraffe's. There were 3 young ones frolicking about, swinging their necks, chasing on another. It all appeard to be happening in slow motion as their long dangly legs followed behind them.  What a sight to see them play!!!

Another interesting court day, we attended the case again of the young man who is a serial rapist, and killed an 11 year old girl.
Veerle had the same feeling's as I had yesterday in regards to how the accused might look, as this was her first time at this case. When he entered, she whispered to me, that he looked like a little boy, which he does. 
The case against him today was he fleeing custody, with handcuffs on, and the police chasing him. THe other more serious charges will go to a higher court.
When his lawyer asked him how he pleads, he answered " Not guily" she was trying to reason with him by asking him " so you are pleading not guily even though a police chase ensued. Then the majestrate talks to him telling him that there are 3 other witness's who are going to testify against him. He does not change his mind he is not guilty he says.

My day started so hopeful, I phoned the colonel, sergeant, whatever, and told him I had a complaint, he listened with interest to my story of the old woman who is scared to death of her son, I asked him why an arrest had not happened. ( so funny to be talking like this) He said yes, yes I will look into it and get back to you. Sure, sure I am thinking, but low and behold my phone started ringing when I was in court and could not take it.
Once there was a recess I called, he informed me that he had sent 2 of his officers on a wild goose chase, I was like " WHAT" " Yes he continues, you sent us to the clinic and she was not there", I told him that I did no such thing, I told you she was at home. He apologized and said there was a misunderstanding. He then said he would send the police officers out again, oh man how frustating, I thought I spoke very clear english, until I came here!!!

Today at tree one of the two boys showed up in his new clothes I got him, I was so happy to see him. I told him he looked so handsome, he was a little embarassed by this compliment.
I asked him how he was and he said he was very happy. The man who took him in for a few days has decided he can stay and go back to school, I was so excited for him. 
I was a bit anxious today at tree because I was waiting for my little old lady to show up, the one who's son has been beating her. I was sitting and clapping along with the music when I noticed a woman walking slowly down the road, I knew it was her, even from a distance.. I jumped up and ran to her, she threw her arms around me, I told her how worried I was about her. 

I did not write my blog yesterday for fear of boring you all with not really having much to say.
Veerle and I were at Umlazi police station at the bobbi bear container most of the day, with no incidence. It was a long day, trying to find things to do with little luck.
While we were there Veerle and I started to talk about our first girl that lived here with us at the bottom cottage. I did not write about her but her story is an interesting one. So I will tell it now.
She was dumped in a trash can at birth, went from foster home to foster home and was sexually abused at them all. 
The Zulu culture believes in demons, and evil spirits etc, This young girl believed she had I believe 6 demons in her. At one point she told the staff of bobbi bear that if they tried to take her to the hospital she would make sure the car crashed and they would all die. This frightened them so badly that none of them would take her. 

I was in Folweni Today to attend an education session to first grades 1 and 2. Mildred did the talk in Zulu, so I had to ask questions after. There were 935 children. 
Because the Zulu's are taught not to use proper names for their private parts, Mildred first asked them what they call them, I could hear various names, cookie, sausage etc, the kids were laughing and excited to raise their hands to give a name. 
Mildred went on to tell them that using the proper names was a very good thing to do, that it was ok to call the body parts by their correct names.
They sang a song, I was curious about this song, it was about their panites/underwear, and how no one is allowed to remove them, if your mom bath's you, it is ok, if a doctor has to give you a needle it is ok, but no one else has the right.
If this does happen they were told to tell someone they trust, a teacher, a parent, etc. 

Yesterday we took our little girl to the Highland Gathering. There is all kinds of booth's selling things, food booth's, and bagpipe competitions, and a kids area. She played and had alot of fun. I went on the ferris wheel with her, I barely fit, we were laughing.
I think the day was alot for her, as she was not feeling well last night and went to bed early. 
Today we are off again, nice to have two days in a row, we need to go grocery shopping, and I am not sure what else, we will see what the day brings. 
Austin was laughing yesterday about " MY two Boys" he says they are thieves, of course I said maybe not, he was surprised I would not think that from the stories of them being kicked out of everywhere." Oh well I said I got them some new t-shirts and shorts, anyways, even if they are thieves, as long as they don't know where I live lol"
Have a good day
Debbie

I like to get up early, even if I am still tired, to make myself a coffee and sit and listen to the birds, and just have some peaceful moments.
This is when I think of all that has gone on, I read the wonderful comments people leave, and I reflect on it all.
I think of how hard it is going to be for me to leave, and quickly change my thinking to more pleasant thoughts.
I am just so grateful to have been a part of the lives of people in need, I told the boys yesterday, it is me learning from them, not the other way around. I listen to them speak, I see the tears, I hold them, it is hard for them to have such human contact, they are not used to such.
I tell them they are cared for, this is also unusual for them to hear, they are shy, and look away. 

I met two young boys the other day at tree, they had no place to sleep and were sleeping under the bridge. Today we got them to come and tell their story. 
Sweetie is truly amazing, she knows how to tell these kids to relax and just tell the truth, even if your story is a bad one, be honest, and I will help you, I loved watching her with these boys. Marbel is also so great, they talk to them, they tell them that we care, and not to disappoint us, because we are there for them. 
Both their life stories are tragic, foster homes, sexual abuse, physical abuse etc etc. I took down their life stories and they really have lived a long hard life for young adults.