My time in Africa is nearly over....

My 4 weeks in South Africa have been a fabulous tour of a beautiful country taking in some of the sights this beautiful country has to offer.

I've been on the windy east coast in Gordon's bay and in Fish Hoek both sporting beautiful white sandy beaches. And in Paarl a stunning and lush inland town right in the centre of the wine lands.

Each place is different, the projects GVi supports are benefitting from the time that young and older volunteers give to them but right back comes an amazing feeling of look what I achieved by giving something back. The volunteers pay to come and gain this experience, I am imagine most leave feeling good about themselves having gained new skills but having made a difference in a country that needs all the help it can get.

The pictures of the children here show them all dressed well, it's a cultural thing, sadly that can become more important than food!!! All of the children have a story a background wether they come from a family home or live at the Orphanage.

I find when I look at my photographs, children smiling back at me, but when I look closer their eyes often say so much more of the troubles that lay inside them... Don't get me wrong, they are the most happy children you could ever come across but there are more troubles that you or I will ever know that lie beneath that happy face...

Please pass this on to your friends and family anyone you know who might want to volunteer anything form 2 weeks to 12 and beyond..... It could change your life aswell as the children.

http://gvisouthernafrica.blogspot.com/

http://www.gvi.co.uk/programs/search

The pictures show some of my budding photographic students....

Also my boy Lwando happy and smiley.

The kids from ACJ school and one or 2 wildlife numbers. Including a shy giraffe and Monster the lion cub who isn't so small now!!!

The winds of time sure blow strong in Gordons bay

having arrived in Gordons Bay a return visit the winds have been blowing strong, I walked along the Strand earlier today only to be sand blasted from the seashore, I may need to exfoliate but a little notice and time for a pamper would have been preferred...

I have visited the schoo,l the nursery, the sports programme and the Orphanage, there is so much going on here with GVI it's kind of hard to keep up, well despite this and a little sunstroke to boot, I have had time to kneed some bread, a project being developed to produce bread and supply GVI from the village, meet the children I worked with last year and of course revel in the sounds of the children shouting teacha Shark my fondly remembered AKA.. I thought it was cool!!

a few pics form some of these adventures oh that is Nick beginning the surf programme......

Ofrwas it his beach boys impression...?

WEDDING suppliers

The lions and cubs are let loose in Paarl

Having arrived in Paarl I have settled into my new home but for just a few days, during this time I have had the pleasure of the company of some wonderful people who have given up their time to work with GVi and the children..

In charge is Erik from the US and alongside him Jess who his from just up the road from me in Hastings. Jemma & Caity from Oz are full of life as is Caro from Germany, working with the babies and toddlers Helen and Tom from the UK. It would be rude not to mention Kim (US) my roomy for the last few days who is out here long term and I don't think she wants to go home, where is home... For me, where my heart is and it's hard to imagine that you don't leave a part you here in Africa. T.I.A. This is Africa...

Well Wednesday afternoon was a real treat, after several false starts the children were transported from the Hope Centre to a field where the sprinklers were on and the following fun times were had... I will eave you with the pictures... such amazing fun and the kids were loving it...

Fish Hoek GVi

Cape Town Suburbs

Here we are in the beautiful land of South Africa, my second visit to this land with awe inspiring beauty. When you drive along the south east coast from Fish Hoek to Hermanus you pass by some of the most spectacular views you will ever see. The mountains rising from the sea, the shining white sands edged with the crystal waters.

It's hard to imagine the poverty that lies just a few hundred metres away.

South Africa is a mix of wealth and poverty and the colour divide is very evident. The Charity I am working with is GVi Global Vision International they are an innovative charity who work with some fabulous people who are running projects and have really benefitted from the help GVI can bring.

Jabalani and Ibis are creche and preschool establishments in the Westlake community, Cynthia is the lady who had the vision and desire to help the children that she saw daily alone on the streets, their parents either having to take the work they were offered and had no child care or some are simply not fit to care for them.

25 children attend each day and Cynthia has now got a couple of local staff helping on the projects. Gvi has a team in Fish Hoek that go in during the week to run an educational/care program. Headed up by Lisa and with Holly in support they co-ordinate the volunteers who stay from 2 weeks to 12 or longer..