Maggie, Carrie, and I are volunteering at St. Anne’s home. This shelter has been helping abused women and children in South Africa for over 100 years. They provide many resources and guidance for both the women and children. Mother’s are given basic skills training, typing classes and computer literacy, along with skills and assistance with job searching. In addition, they are educated on many other things such as HIV/AIDS and self-esteem. While the mothers are at work the center provides care for the young children ranging from age 1 month to 5 years. Educational tools are used to stimulate the toddlers’ along with recreational play. The babies are looked after in another room where the play and sleep. There aren’t many children in the shelter right now because the parents leave during the holiday. The children that we have cared for thus far are adorable, energetic, loving, and entertaining.
Within the past couple of years the shelter’s fallen on hard times due to loss of funding. Our mission coming here was to help and contribute to the community the best way we can. With that goal in mind, the 3 of us gathered a list of supplies the shelter needed and bought them. Today we delivered the materials to them, which included diaper cream, baby wipes, a thermometer, teething powder, baby formula, baby wash, cough syrup, Vaseline, bottles, gloves, insect repellent, hand soap, and various other items. They were very grateful to receive the supplies. One of the teachers told us,“ You saved my life.” The satisfaction of knowing that we are making a great difference in their lives made today a great day and makes this trip all worth the while!
