Awakening Hearts

Almost Home

2008-06-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Message from Bonnie Smith:

We are safe at Heathrow Airport in London after a day of touring.

Michelle, Scott, Lisa and I are awaiting our flight now. We left Saaraa and Jess this morning as they have a few days in London on their own. We left Ed, Mark and Barb in Johannesburg for their Capetown vacation. We also left Morgan and Heather at ASM (Africa School of Missions) as they are staying on in Africa.

Our little group is now only four!

See everyone soon, Love Bonnie

Do lions get the right of way?

Message from Barb and Ed Damour

2008-06-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

There are so many opportunities to serve!

This week we've been training with the Home Based Care workers in Cork and Welverdien. Both communities are in great need.

On Saturday, the women on our team were a part of the young moms group in Cork. We shared stories of being moms and daughters. Leaders from the young mom's group in Masoyi, which is more established, came to support and encourage. God is at work here in the lives of these young women. They are a real inspiration to their peers and others as they deal with their own challenges. They bring their babies too so it's another wonderful opportunity to hold a baby!

Ed's tippy-tap demonstrations have been well received. It's a simple concept for hand washing and hygiene which will work well in the communities. What a blessing it is to be here and experiencing God's love, grace, and singing praises with the people of South Africa.

- Barb and Ed

This is Barb with her son, Mark Damour, who has been living and serving in Africa on and off again over the last few years. What a blessing for his parents to go on a team and see him in action and join him in sharing love with the Africans.

Lisa Dalley- Team Leader

2008-06-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is our leader enjoying tea time.

Heather Yourex- future

2008-06-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy right now.

Really. Happy.

There are some horrible realities about Africa and I know I have not even begun to see how dark this place can be...but when I sit in a church and listen to the booming 10 part gospel harmony with the voices of the little 10 year old boy in his shirt and tie and the 60 year old go-go (African Grandma) in her church hat coming together... I can't help it... I fall in love. The rolling hills, those sprawling trees, the fact that anyone you smile at returns a grin that just pops with joy and instantly fills you up with with this connected feeling. I feel like I live in a musical right now ... And, AND! In 2 weeks I've become one of those "huggy" people. I love Africa. I love, love, love Africa.

Yesterday I met with Lynn and Jayme. The couple from Calgary I first made contact with to come here. The two of them are living and volunteering for hands full time and are at present handling communications and marketing. My team leaves at the end of this week and this meeting has given me a better idea of where I can actually be useful.

The thing about hands at work is that its pretty grass roots. There are no paid staff... The organization is about creating programs for communities with communities and eventually handing the programs to communities. Its mandate is to provide the basic needs for 100,000 orphans by 2010 and so far Hands is in SA, DRC, Zambia, Nigeria, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Its funny... I thought I wanted to come here as a journalist or a filmmaker. Then I felt frustrated I wasn't a nurse or a construction worker. But it turns out that I can actually be useful here as I am. Hands is in need of video right now to help with fund raising and the search for volunteers.

Its an overwhelming feeling when you feel like you've found what you're looking for. This place, these people, this opportunity and just knowing that, Yes - I can do this and I can actually be of use in a way that is actually meaningful! I'm a lucky girl and right now I'm very grateful.

I'm hoping to stay until mid November and get as much done on the wish list as possible. Already July is looking incredible with trips in the works to projects in Swaziland and Mozambique. This is going to be an amazing 6 months for me!

Heather preps for her workshop

Morgan Dalley Reflects on Their Last Sunday in Africa

2008-06-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

Today was our last sunday as a team in Africa. We went to Angel's church, a community church in Masoyi.

Today was our first opportunity to teach sunday school. We did the story of Noah's Ark. We sang song's and did a craft. Each child made a mask of the animal of their choice. It was a great opportunity for us to experience a true african church. The singing was incredible and we were greeted with such a warm welcome.

Today was also our move over to the ACTS clinic. We are staying on the campus which has a clinic and an out patient care center. I can't believe we only have a week left as a team. The time has flown by.

It seems as though we have just begun.........

More Pictures!

2008-06-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Jess at Angel's church

Jordan Dalley reunited with Michelle

Saaraa Stainsby

2008-06-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Saaraa Stainsby:

We had a most wonderful day in the village of Cork.

Today we launched the young moms program and it went really well. We sang wonderful praise and worship songs and played many ice breaker games. It was a great experience!

We also got the chance to share our stories about mum's and daughters and the impact it's made on our lives. Tomorrow we are going to Angel's church in Masoyi and we are preparing for our big move to the ACTS clinic!

More New Pictures

2008-06-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Lisa found a baby to love!

Scott is staying in Africa to preach ........

Jess 'n Saaraa with mom Tinyiko and 2wk old!

Barb Damour helping make a tippy-tap.

2008-06-20T17:03:00.001-07:00

And this is Bonnie's new hair style- you like?

This is Alex who asked specifically that Bonnie say "Hi" to Catherine, a past team member to South Africa.

2008-06-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Brick and rain day:

Here's Ed getting "washed" by God

Awesome-ness

2008-06-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Posted by Heather Yourex:

Under a still, black, perfect sheet of stars... Next to a pretty little African farmhouse... I went, tonight to a South African braai (pronounced bry- like cry) good bye.

(A braai is a South African BBQ)

You know... People can really be amazing. The people I've met here... To say they are inspiring doesn't quite do them justice. Tonight's braai was a going away party for Dan.

Dan is a 24 year old Calgarian who at the moment resembles that guy from "into the wild". His red hair continues down his face into a bushy 6 month grown beard and mustache... He jokingly strokes when someone says something worth pondering. It takes about 10 seconds to decide you like Dan, and about 3 minutes of watching him interact with one of the local kids or a student in his forward education program to be inspired. Dan - like many of the hands staff (all of which are volunteers) walked away from the comfy Calgary life a year ago to "serve" here in Africa. Its easy to see his impact has been profound.

Guys... Its hard to describe. We owe a lot to the people here - like Dan. I'm filled up with so much energy and gratitude. Its this raw, potent "kindness" these people dish out... Kindness that is so much more infectious than any virus.

This is what its about.

If I get nothing else from my time here in Africa...I will have the incredible understanding that these people walk among us. Quiet heroes that radiate all kinds of awesome.

There are no words for how happy I am to be right here...right now.

When you see what we are truly capable of...this world is truly lovely and amazing.

Heather Yourex- Perspective

2008-06-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Its been two weeks all ready and right now I would love to be in my own bed. Only because I'm kind of sick and being a big baby. Feeling under the weather has given me a whole new level of appreciation for the people here.

We spent the morning out with the home based care workers in Cork. Walking to the homes of 4 different AIDS patients. All were clearly unwell but - on a promising note - all were on ARVs and were doing better than previous visits. Honestly - this was a selfish day for me - walking and walking in the sun and the dirt all I could think about was getting into bed and sleeping until my headache and sore throat went away.

But I wasn't the only one feeling shitty. Scott and I walked with Martha and Ruth. Martha also had a headache and a stomach ache. The mother of 7 (with 3 grandchildren) walked 3 hous from her community to Cork to take part in home-based care training. (Work that is voluntary). Ruth explained her typical day... Up at 4 am with the wheel barrow and jugs to go fetch water... Back to start a fire... Make porridge for the children... Wash everyone.. Care centre for 9 to walk and visit patients)

Of course her day doesn't end there either. I, on the other hand, crawled into bed by 1 that afternoon and slept until 6 and got up and fixed myself tea, toast and fruit.

Yep - I may still want my own bed but compared to these amazing women - I'm pretty lucky to be exactly where I am :)

((Oh! And Kristen... Ruth sends her love))

Then Reality Enters the Equation

2008-06-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

Note from Heather Yourex:

I'll admit it ..a little voice in my head is telling me something I'm not sure I want to hear. I'm starting to feel like I need to spend my entire 6 month leave here in Africa.

Not because I love it so much.
Not because I've fallen in love with the people and feel like I can change their lives with my amazing and generous presence.
And not because I've experienced a miraculous awakening.

Truthfully... I'm incredibly uncomfortable here. One minute I feel like I'm relating to the girls of Masoyi and then reality hits me between my eyes.

For one... This place is so isolating for me. I don't have the same kind of freedom I do in Calgary because - quite honestly - its dangerous to be out after dark or on my own at all.

I feel out of place and awkward. I feel shocked and disgusted often and there hasn't been a single day where I haven't had tears in my eyes.

There are so many awful things about this place.

So why on earth do I think I need to stay longer?

Put simply -because I'm a little terrified.

I'm in this murky place right now where my stomach feels knotted and my head is overwhelmed.
It was youth day today. A national holiday (Google it to find out what happened on this day in 1976). We spent the day with kids, teens and young moms with their babies. There was singing, dancing and inspiring dramas and speeches.

It was almost like any special school event... Except the kids were all orphans and most of them were really hungry. Making matters worse... I learned of something else going on that is behind this constant queasy feeling I have tonight.

Its called "mountain school" Its happening right now on the same mountain we're sleeping on this very night. Its a cultural right of passage for the kids of Masoyi. How the boys and girls become men and women.

Bribed with food, new clothes (and I've also heard some are taken against their will). Kids older than 7 are taken up Mount Legogote for 3 weeks.

During that time... The boys are circumcised and told to rape the girls. Many of the young girls come back pregnant.

And considering that many kids begin life HIV positive... The virus likely spreads here too.

What is going on?
How can things be this bad...on top of everything else.

The reason why I'm so scared right now is because I want to go home. I want to pretend this stuff isn't happening or at the very least isn't my problem. I mean - I know I can't fix anything, right?

It would be easy to to be able to fix everything or on the other hand to be able to say its not fixable and walk away.

I'm realizing the hard, incredibly uncomfortable, awkward and often painful stuff all falls in the middle.

Ugh.

I think I have to stay.

Jessica and Morgan here:

2008-06-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, June 15th was a fantastic and eye opening day for all of us. We drove two hours to Bushbuck Ridge to support George (Founder of Hands) in his efforts to reach out to their community. We began with worship and it was like nothing we have ever seen before. We were asked to sing and we were pathetic compared to their angelic voices. George spoke about what it means to be a Christian. It was so touching and brought most to tears. To see people who we perceive to have so little, have so much compassion and genuine love for one another was humbling.

In the evening we invited the Hands staff to a BBQ(they call them Brie's) at our place. It felt so nice to juts sit back and relax. The people working here are amazing people and it was great to visit with them and hear their stories.

Today was Youth Day!
300 plus kids of all ages joined us at K2 (Masoyi community centre) to celebrate the festivities. There was singing, dancing, acting, and eating. Most of the youth participated and did an amazing job. We were very proud of them. Most of the performances were related to HIV and AIDS, as well as pregnancy and young mums. We were pleasantly surprised by how well 300 plus youth managed to stay so organized and well behaved during all the performances. Once all was done, everyone got to eat and visit with on another.
We have met so many amazing people and have experienced incredible things that have inspired us to stay strong and continue our journey helping others. It is so hard to put into words what we have seen and experienced but it has been one of the best journeys for all of us. We have grown stronger as a team and as individuals.
We look forward to this week because we starting to teach out programs in the community (hopefully, because everything changed on Africa time) and get to continue building friendships with everyone we meet.
We will keep you posted on what comes our way.
Jessica and Morgan

Heather Yourex- hanging out with the girls... and eating worms

2008-06-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

What a busy first week it has been!

I'm laying in bed - having to get up and take an ice cold shower soon - and I'm a little bit tired! I love this.

One of the reasons I came here was to find a way to relate and connect to the "people living in third world, AIDS ravaged africa". The people that have become background to what bono and oprah talk about... What Fred Penner asks us to think about when he's asking for money on behalf of World Vision.

The thing is - that flat background isn't real at all. Relating and connecting has been easy. I did not expect that. We have so much in common and really, we want the same things.

Friday afternoon the girls on the team went to Masoyi to be part of some of the young mom support groups. A group of Moms gathering to talk about life and motherhood in somebodys backyard. We can relate to that!

The girls in my group were between 18 and 22. They all introduced themselves and explained how old their child was. Some were a few months... Some 5 years! A couple of kids were there... A little girl who was right in with the rest of us singing with all the actions.

The thing that struck me about the meeting was how comfortable it all was. We were just talking about goals and school and careers. Most of the girls are writing exams now. The topic of the meeting was goals... Where do you see yourself in 5 years.

There were 4 canadian women in the group and 8 young moms from Masoyi.Our goals were very much the same. Afterwards Nomfundo... A young girl who has lost a child... Invited me to spend a night at her place. One girl asking another for a sleepover. I hope it works out before I leave!

Oh and I had a fried worm yesterday... It was... Chewy

Saturday

2008-06-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all......We just finished our sightseeing day in South Africa. Saw God's Window, the Potholes, and Sabie falls. The weather was great, the views incredible and the company outstanding. Lynn and Jaimie joined us as well as Jaimie's sister Jennifer and her husband Alex (on their honeymoon!). A great day had by all and topped off with dinner on the patio of Pappas Pizza! Off to bed now as we have church at Welverdeen tomorrow and leave at 730am. Bonnie

Happy Birthday, SCOTT!

2008-06-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

On June 10th, the team celebrated Scott's birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Bonnie Smith is in LOVE

2008-06-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

Pictured above is Bonnie Smith. I heard from her a beaming snippet of how much she is LOVING Africa.

Desi and I are now teasing Paul Smith, her husband, to get ready to sell the house... 'cause she seems to be liking it A LOT! Fortunately Paul has just returned from his own adventure into Africa to build a school, so now they've got a whole new world to share.

Bonnie managed to upload a couple of mobile photos while in the back of a pick-up being driven to work Home-Based Care in a nearby community.

First Day in the community of Cork

2008-06-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Heather Yourex writes:

Hard to believe its all ready been a week!

So today I made my first trip to cork. A more rural, less developed community that grew out of a refugee settlement of those that fled violence in Mozambique. It makes Masoyi look like MacKenzie Towne.

Hands at work came into cork a few years ago but had to pull out last year completely because of problems with the local chief. A new government is now in place so hands is back... But only since april.

The kids are back at the care center (12 tiny children who are all double orphans ... Who leap into your arms as soon as you get out of the van). The care center needs a lot of work compared to Masoyi... For one there's no place for them to play outside.

Our task for the morning had to do with the upcoming launch of the young moms program in cork. It meant we spent the morning conducting research. Completely fascinating again! I ended up with a few others at the local high school. We spoke with two teen guys, two teen girls (one who had a child), a male teacher and a female teacher...after we went to a nearby home and spoke with a go go (grandma) who takes care of her great granchild... Born to a 15 year old Mom.

I was surprised with what I learned. Everyone agreed teen pregnancy is a bigger problem than aids and even the lack of food. Girls are getting pregnant on purpose as a way of getting money. The SA govt offers a 200 rand a month grant for children born to single mothers. The boys - we learned - most often don't take responsibilty and wind up fathering many children with many girls. A lot of the problems stem from the fact that many of these young girls have grown up without parental guidance or rules... Running wild and free. As a result... Child abandonement is a big problem in cork.
I cannot imagine being a child here! Teachers admit they can't really teach...school is more like crowd control. Kids have no one... And wind up being parents without ever having learned to parent.

The afternoon howeve held some inspiration. The team went back to K2 (a care center in Masoyi) where the Masoyi young mom support group leaders were meeting. This is an inspiring group of girls who are working hard to make the best out of a limited amount of options before them.
Monday is world youth day. A big deal here and everyone is working on songs, dances and dramas. We watched the young moms rehearse as we held onto the babies. I'm shooting the performances... I decided not to shoot anything until next month but I'm making an exception.

So that was today. Otherwise things are good, eating so well here - I feel so bad sometimes. The fruit here is unreal po pos (papayas), oranges, avacadoes are all in season and amazing.

It was hot for the first time today. Yay!

Friday: Young Mom program workshop

Saturday: day off...we're hiking up to a place called gods window

Sunday: we're heading to a new community to attend a church service. Wolverine has no programs and no water. The founder of hands is speaking at this church service...I can't wait.

The very wrong reality of the Child Headed Household

2008-06-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Note from Heather Yourex:

I'm on a real computer!!!! Woo Hoo.

Today I spent the day at the Lula centre. Its a daycare in Masoyi (which is actually smaller than I thought - population 220, 000). The Lula centre opened 4 years ago with the help of Hands at Work and at the heart of it is Ma Beauty.

Ma Beauty is a gigantic woman with an amazing amount of heart. I had heard so much about her that when I saw her I ended up running right into her arms.

Oh... I should back up to the morning meeting. And - no offense guys - this one kicked the 9:00 news meeting ass. ;). The Masoyi home based care workers were having a prayer meeting and so 30 of us crowded into the Masoyi office. Half of the team got to be apart of the meeting and we and 2 others were the only westernes there. They sang... every day is filled with so much singing. Gospel songs where everyone sings in harmony 10-12 part harmony. In Siswati and English... and then prayer requests. The requests alone will break your heart... for orphans, for the care workers, for travellers, for a couple in the Congo who just lost their baby. By the end of the meeting, a few of us were in tears.

I spent my day at the lula centre in the kitchen with Ma. She cooks the entire day... and the kids have half a jam sandwich with ovaltine fortified tea in the morning, a traditional lunch that today was hard pap (maize flour and water) with soup (beans, macaroni, tomato paste and vegetables) and cabbage and carrots. Then in the afternoon - another half peanut butter/jam sandwich and juice. At around 1 pm... older kids begin arriving - including a helper in the kitchen 19 year old Floyd.

Floyd was a pretty typical teenager... we washed dish after dish, a served up meal after meal together. Chatting about cars, and sports and Kanye West. He was a really cool guy who is in grade 10, struggles with english (if I could just get a dictionary it would help), likes phyics and plans to be a mechanical engineer. (If I can be a manager with the local power company I can get a BMW in 3 months - he has a photo of the dream car on his cell phone). Its starting to feel like a normal day... there's running water, plenty of food for everyone.

Of course... things aren't what they seem to be.

Before lunch I'm playing with some kids when a "go-go" or grandmother came to say hello. Her name is Joanna... and she has two children here at Lula. The kids are going on a field trip to Kruger Park on friday so many of the caregivers were there for a meeting. In total Joanna has 7 grandchildren in her care... one great grandchildren. Both her daughters have died in HIV in the last two years. She pointed to two little girls... Pretty and Princess. Princess she tells me has HIV.

Later - a white woman with a strong south african accent drops by. She works at the ACTS clinic and is here to check in on an out patient. We chat and she points to a little boy on a tricycle... an active boy I'd been chasing a little earlier. He has HIV, she tells me, 6 months ago he was so sick, so thin - we didn't think he was going to make it. Now - he's on ARV's and tearing around the yard like all the other boys.

And then - there was Lloyd himself. This totally sweet teenager - good looking - spending his afternoons volunteering at Lula. I finally asked - dude, why are you here?

He looked at me.

Because I'm an orphan - he simply said.

The ride home was probably the hardest part of the day. My eyes were burning with tears by the time we pulled back on to campus. The busses are driven by Hands at Work drivers and they take the children to their homes around the community.

Little children... 2 year olds sleeping on the seats... and when we get to their drop off points.

Nobody to meet them.

That sleeping toddler... met by an 8 year old girl. Giggling with her friends. Peter - the driver - tells me, they have an older sister. Still, even she is only 15.

And the image that is brightest in my mind today. The image I caught in a quick photo. 3 kids, ages 4-6 off the bus by themselves - right next to the busy highway taking each other by their tiny little hands and walking away.

Alone.

I waved and the little girl that refused to talk to me or really smile all day. The little girl who I just kind of grabbed and held on to. Turned and saw me waving in the front seat - and she actually smiled. I blew them kisses and the little boy gave me a thumbs up.

Then they kept walking.

They call them Child headed house holds... how on earth is this right?

Day Two- Heather is falling in love

2008-06-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

This is a note from Heather Yourex relating her second day in South Africa:

Finding love in the back of a pickup truck. Yeah it sounds kind of dirty but it's the truth. I'm falling in love with this country from the back of the "bucky".

First off I should explain this country is COLD right now. Not Canadian winter cold but when you're dress code is long skirts and you've got only thin sweaters 7 degrees leaves you feeling popsicled. I should also point out that the second leading cause of death here is the crazy traffic. So I had my first "TIA" or "this is Africa" moment when someone told me I'd get a lift into Masoyi in the back of the truck. There we were... 12 of us... 3 white girls with 9 locals. Some nurses... Others just health care volunteers and people like me to observe. The first ride was awful... I was a little bit terrified.

By the end of the next day, I can't imagine getting around any other way. The rolling hills with so many homes... Shacks, stone houses with carefully swept dirt patios, young people everywhere in bright blue school uniforms, the too cool guys with their hats off to the side, gigantic roosters everywhere, women carrying all kinds of things on their head... It doesn't feel third world...just different world.
And for all the horror stories it is also stunningly beautiful.

The entire day was stunningly beautiful. Just before lunch I met Zodwa. A mother of 2 and a home based care worker in the community of Nthimba. We sat outside the clinic talking, for an hour as I waited for the truck. Zodwa is one of those people you meet that leaves you feeling just so full of awe. Her entire life now is about all the orphans. Children living alone throughout her community because their parents are dying.

Its very difficult, she tells me. They all need to eat - who is going to make sure they eat.We talked and talked...I couldn't stop with the questions. She is grieving the loss of her husband...but talking to me she smiled so often. Many time she had me in tears. When the truck came we hugged... I explained I was a journalist and was here for 2 months with a camera. She asked me to come back to Nthimba to meet all of her kids. " Let people see them, love them. We need help". I'm still awed by this soft spoken woman... To see the love and courage flowing from her.... I am very very lucky to have met her.

*In SA an orphan who has lost one parent receives 200 ran per month (even if the other parent has split long ago)
*An orphan that has lost two parents receives 700 ran/month up until age 15
*Orphans do not have to pay school fees but must buy a uniform - at a cost of 220 ran. (About 30 Canadian dollars)
* The price of bread has jumped from 2 ran a loaf to 7 ran
* An apple has gone from 50 cents to one ran 50

Tomorrow: I'm scheduled to work at the Lula Centre with Ma Beauty. A daycare/pre school center operated by Hands.
Thursday: Off to the community of Cork... A community with more problems and fewer programs. Laying ground work for the launch of the young moms program. We will be looking for new Moms for the program...in primary school. Young orphan girls age 9,10,11,12 are vulnerable to pregnancy... Because, I'm told "they're craving love"

First Day in Africa- Heather Yourex

2008-06-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

All the reports back have been so positive. The team is loving Africa.
This note is by Heather Yourex as she relays her experiences so far:

written June 9th:

What do I do now that its real for me? Day one and I can't help but wonder what I've done. 24 hours ago this was still a world away problem... Something that I believed to be true but didn't really exist to me - personally.

Now I've gone and looked and in a way that makes me feel terrified and overwhelmed tonight...things have changed.

I spent the day with a health care volunteer today in what seems like a sprawling city slum. Picture something like stand off...the size of brooks.

Three patients...three people...three probable AIDS cases but no hope because each one of them refused to be tested.

The first woman was fairly healthy... But at 40 something she had shingles and wasn't getting better.

The second man was thin, sweating and trembling...he was being treated for TB but wasn't getting better. Again and although AR drugs are available and could still save his life ... He refused to consider HIV as his possible ailment.

But it was house #3 where I finally really looked into the eyes of this horror story.

In a house the size of a bathroom with only a matress and a few stools we walked into find a tiny remnant of a man laying in the dark. His eyes were wide and the white was so bright. He smiled at me and said hello, how are you in english. Then in his language he spoke with the health worker.

I couldn't understand what was being said but it was clear. I was looking at a man, dying of AIDS alone in Africa. He was looking right at me. He was born into a nightmare... I was born into a winning lotto ticket but for 1/2 an hour we sat in the same room.

He couldn't admit that he was HIV positive until it was too late. I was asked to pray for him at the end of the visit. Not really knowing what to do I stammered something out.

I keep repeating that prayer now in my head... Alone with AIDS in Africa. Its actually real...no closing my eyes to it now

When first and third worlds collide...

2008-06-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

The man looked scared. He was frantically waving us down on the side of the rural road. Barb was the first to see he had some kind of sword or machete. Marc - her son - told us to lock our doors. We listened. Marc has been living here in africa for 8 months and in fact we - and his parents - were about to see where he has been living.

None of us expected what happened next.

The panicked man ran over to the other white van. The one carrying the other half of our team as well as fellow calgarian Dan and Crystal from Lloydminster. Both live with Marc at the farm house.

From our van we see the window in the other van roll down. As the man speaks quickly, Dan gets out of the car ... Soon Marc joins him and after telling us to stay put and keep our doors locked, Marc, Dan and the man are speeding up a dirt road standing in the back of a hands at work truck that had sine pulled up.

And we were left to wait...

Left to wait and wonder what on earth was happening.
Left to wait as Marc's parents wondered what exactly has their son been dealing with all these months and what exactly had they come to see.
Left to think about the xenophobic violence we had been watching on bbc.

After some time we were told it was okay to come up the road too.

We soon learned what and happened. The panicked man was a guard hired by hands at work to keep watch on the property when its residence are all away. He was doing just that today but 5 men from a nearby community challenged him. Badly outnumbered the guard was forced to run. He jumped the fence and took off down the road whn he found us.

The truck carrying Dan and Marc managed to scare off the men but not before they knocked down a door and robbed one of the homes.

A tv was gone...some property damaged and a lot of nerves were rattled but for a team of canadians here for the first time...there was also an important point.

Up until that we had only seen South Africa's first world. Coffee shops, convenience stores and ATMs. But closeby to the world so similar to the one we left in Canada is a world in desperate poverty.

"When things like that happen," we were later told "its not because they mean anyone any harm. Its because they need something to sell to feed their families."

The crime is one of the reasons having groups like Hands is so imortant - because just as it is in so many other cases...the best way to make communities safer is make everyone more secure. And security can only happen when there people aren't left in desperate need.

Tomorrow: our first look at that need

Half way there...

2008-06-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

The team away has arrived safe and sound in London.... and I (Heather) am not doing well at trying to stay away from e-mail and internet :). We've had luck on our side so far, the airplane was half empty and so most of us were able to stretch out across 3 seats and get a good few hours sleep. A few more hours at Heathrow and we're on another plane.

Africa awaits!

We leave today!

2008-06-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Today is the day!! We have spent so much time preparing and training and the day has finally arrived. We leave later this evening and should arrive at our final destination around noon on Sat. There is an 8hr ( ahead) time difference for those of you in Calgary, so for you it will be approx. 3am on Friday. For our readers in Ontario there is only a 6 hr. difference.

We plan on updating the blog as much as possible to keep you all informed. Thank you to all of our friends and family for their love and support.
Talk to ya from Africa!
-The Team

Meet the Team!

2008-05-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

We're busy getting ready to go! Less than 3 weeks until we leave.

(left to right Ed Damour, Morgan Dalley, Barb Damour, Michelle Rowland, Saaraa Stainsby, Scott Rowland, Heather Yourex, Lisa Dalley, Jessica Harty, Bonnie Smith)

It's Your Time

What a celebration ought to be going on inside you at this moment. There ought to be a threefold celebration going on in your heart right now. First, you ought to look back over the times of obscurity, when He was plowing and fertilizing you, and thank God that you are still here to attest to His sustaining power. A lesser vessel would not have survived your testimony . Second, look around you at the blessings that you have right now. With a twinkle in your eye and a melody in your heart, thank God for what He is doing even at this moment. Your freshly cultivated ground is full of seeds and unborn potential. Who knows all that God has planted in you. He has begun a work - a good work - in you. Celebrate that every time you wake up in the morning. Look over your straw covered fields, fan back the birds of doubt and fear, and thank God. Breathe the fresh air into your grateful lungs, be glad just to be here

Third, you should celebrate what God is about to do in your life. Your heart ought to be thumping in your chest; your blood ought to be racing like a car engine about to peel rubber! You are about to step into the greatest harvest of your life The enemy knows that you are about to be harvested. Thatʼs why he fought you like he did. He realizes that this is your time. Don't you? A powerful prophetic move is about to explode over your life. Are you ready for the Word of the Lord that was spoken over you to come to pass? Get ready! Hurry, get your mind ready, change your clothes! Put on your shouting shoes! When the news thatʼs in your spirit gets to your mind, tears of joy will wet the runway for your take-off. Don't ever read about anyone else and wish you were him. Don't ever wish that you had lived at any other time. You were created for this moment-and this moment was created for you! Stop reading and look at the clock. Laugh to yourself and praise your GOD. Do you know what time it is? It's your time!

T.D. Jakes Devotional and Journal

Benefit Concert

2008-05-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

A night of live music and inspiring stories about communities struggling with AIDS, poverty and orphans. Learn about Hands at Work and support a great cause.

Meet Heather

2008-05-12T08:35:00.003-07:00

Name: Heather Yourex

Age: 26

Favourite Quote:
"We live in the gaps between the stories" -Margaret Atwood

Song for the Trip's Soundtrack:

"Speaking in Tongues" - Michael Franti & Spearhead

I'm going to South Africa because...

Last weekend I heard someone else sum it up the best. Desi came out to talk to us about why he went to the Congo last month, why he's gone to Africa several times now. And, like a good little reporter, I wrote his quote down. He said, "I needed to see what was going on. I needed to allow that to start changing and impacting me." We hear about what's going on in Africa, we hear about the AIDS pandemic, the poverty, the orphans. Usually we hear about whats happening from the news - through people like me - but how do we connect to that? How do we go from hearing about it and doing nothing... to being moved by whats happening in a way that propels us into action. That's why I'm going... to see what's going on - to allow it to start changing and impacting me. Maybe I'll find a way to share what I see - so that you can be changed and impacted too!

Favourite Place to be: Anywhere there is sunshine or music!

Is addicted to... Writing, Diet Pepsi ... and facebook.

Meet Scott

2008-05-12T08:35:00.001-07:00

Name: Scott Rowland

Hometown: Hamilton

Family: Father to Michelle, Mark & Alecia, Husband to Eileen

Favourite Quote: "The best exercise for the heart is to lift someone else up."

Song for the Soundtrack: "One Tin Soldier"

I'm going to Africa because....

I have a genuine compassion for people in daily life, but few times have the opportunity to show this in the “rat race” that is the corporate world.
It is a great opportunity to share something very meaningful with my daughter Michelle - to get to know each other better, and to always have this experience as a common bond.
I feel a short term mission and the immersion it provides is the best way to get emotionally involved and committed… from the preparation, to the visit & hands on help, and then sharing the experience afterwards.
It just feels like the right thing to do at this time in my life.

What makes me smile... watching my kids play

Most exotic food ever eaten: Sushi

Meet Michelle

2008-05-12T08:34:00.006-07:00

Name: Michelle Rowland

Age: 18

Hometown: London, Ontario

Is.... a student at the University of Calgary

Favourite Quote: "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile cando"-Mother Teresa

Song for the Soundtrack: "True Colours" - Kalan Porter & Teresa Sokyrka

Is going to Africa because.... It all started with my best friend, Jordan,going on a trip with Westside to Africa last year. She had trouble puttinginto words the experiences and feelings she had, but I knew from what shedid say that it was a life changing experience where she met some trulyinspiring and amazing individuals. When she returned to Africa last fall,we somehow stumbled upon the idea of me going to Africa as her mom wasleading a team! I was so excited to be able to experience the things Icould only imagine she experienced, and get a chance to make a differencein someone elses life, if even a tiny one. Before deciding to go toUniversity this year, I researched a couple different organizations (suchas UNICEF, Amnesty International, etc) in which I could possibly volunteerwith or do an internship with. I coulnd't find anything that worked for mysituation, so I gave up on the search...the proposition of going to Africawas, in a sense, what I had been looking for all that time! Anotherimportant reason as to why I am going, and something that was put intowords beautifully by Desi, is to share with others my personal "overflowof blessings". I have been given SO much in my lifetime (which I am verygreatful for - thanks mom and dad:) ) and to give something of myself backto others, if even a kind word of encouragement in a time of distress, issomething that I am humbled to be given the opportunity to do. Yet anotherreason enticing me to go was the idea that I can learn so much from thesepeople, as I expect them to teach me as much about life as I am to teachthem through the programs we are conducting there. I want to experienceall of the amazing stories I hear of Africa for myself, as I'm sure itwill be something that will give me a greater perspective of the world welive in, and humanity in general. (Also a bonus about this trip- Part ofmy University degree is International Relations, so this is an experiencethat will undoubtedly help me out with my potential career pathway!)

Is known for " eating " in the kitchen

What makes her smile: Seeing other people happy

Meet Barb

2008-05-12T08:34:00.005-07:00

Name: Barb Damour

Hometown: Summerland, BC

Family: Wife to Ed, Mother to Marc and Michelle

Favourite Quote: "Actions speak louder than words. "

"We must never give up! We might be the one to communicate hope to someone else, maybe by a gesture, maybe without words. We must love and pray and hold one another up."

– Mary C. Crowley

Song for the Soundtrack: "Iwoya" Dave Matthews & Angelique Kidjo

Is going to Africa because... My desire to go to Africa is inspired by my children, hearing the stories and living vicariously through others who have experienced and have a passion for the people of S. Africa and their circumstances. I’m thrilled to be connecting with my son there and with those that mean so much to him. I’m excited, scared, and hopeful and feel very privileged to go. My hope is to be a support and encouragement wherever possible. I can hardly wait to get there and see and experience for myself.

If she could be an animal it would be an... Eagle... to see all they can see

The best vacation she ever had... was with extended family either in the Okanagan or to Disneyland

Meet Bonnie

2008-05-12T08:34:00.003-07:00

Name: Bonnie Smith

Hometown: Moose Jaw

Family: Married to Paul, Mother to Matt, Zack & Jeff

Favourite Quote: "We have to let go of the the life we had plannedIn order to live the life we have waiting for us."

Song for the Soundtrack: "Storm" Lifehouse

Is going to Africa because...

Africa has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to see. The rugged beauty of both the land and the people have drawn me to it. This past year I have been working towards a certificate in International Community Development and it seemed that for each topic we studied, I envisioned Africa. The more I read and learned about the issues and difficulties they struggle with, the more I could imagine myself there doing what I could to make things better. There is a saying that I know that says To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world. If everyone strove to make a difference in the life of one person in need, these problems could disappear overnight. So I accept this challenge and commit myself to be present to those I meet. I also believe they are very likely to be the ones to make the difference in me. So with a heart ready to serve, learn and grow, I am honored to share this experience with my nine special teammates. May God Bless us all,

Favourite Vacation: Her honeymoon

Favourite Place to Be... by the ocean

Meet Jessica

2008-05-12T08:34:00.001-07:00

Name: Jessica Harty

Age: 19

Studying: education at Mount Royal College

Favourite Quote: "Live, love, laugh"

Song for the Soundtrack: "Blackbird" Sarah Mclachlan

Is going to Africa because... Both of my older siblings have done missions trips and have encouraged me to do one too. Hearing my sisters stories of her trip to Africa, I have had the urge to go ever since. Being able to go on this trip is alowing me to actually see something I could never imagine and experience something new. I look forward to what this journey brings and pray that I can make a slight difference in this world.

Most exotic food ever eaten: shark

My new favourite thing is... my new bed

Meet Saaraa

2008-05-12T08:33:00.003-07:00

Name: Saaraa Stainsby

Age: 20

Studying: nursing at Mount Royal College

Favourite Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world" - Ghandi

Song for Soundtrack:

Is going to Africa because... I’ve always found Africa to be extremely fascinating and believe it is so imperative to explore and educate ourselves on diverse areas of the world. I have an immense desire to impact lives and deem that every one of us is capable of just that. When we take the time to care for other people, not only is it humbling for ourselves but we move people in more ways than we can imagine. I am going to South Africa to experience this incredible journey and knowledgeable experience that I trust will vividly stay with me for life!

If she could be any person living or dead for a day, she'd choose: myself as a kid again!

Favourite place to spend time: On Vacation with family

Meet Ed

2008-05-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

Name: Ed Damour

Hometown: Moose Jaw

Family: Married to Barb, Father to Marc & Michelle

Favourite Quote:

Song for Soundtrack: "Better Together" Jack Johnson

Is going to Africa Because... Our daughter Michelle, son Marc and our niece Megan have all been to Africa. This is an opportunity to share with Marc and be a small part of his S. African journey; be a member of a super team, to learn, understand, help others and journey myself.

Is addicted to... the woman I love who has shared her life with me

If I could be any person living or dead for a day I'd choose: to be every person I've ever known

Meet Morgan

2008-05-12T08:32:00.001-07:00

Name: Morgan Dalley

Studying: Multimedia Design and Production

Favourite Quote: " Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass ... it's about learning to dance in the rain"

Song for the Soundtrack:

Is going to Africa because...

I am a strong believer in the power of knowledge. I embrace the opportunity to learn and share culture and explore the opportunity to better the quality of life for all involved. Knowledge expands beyond what you read in a book, The opportunity to teach someone that they are loved and appreciated and worthy of this love is equally as important.

My favourite new thing is... my new apartment

If I could be an animal, I'd be a.... a fish because I love the water

Meet Lisa

2008-05-12T08:29:00.001-07:00

Name: Lisa Dalley

Hometown: Windsor, Ontario

Is... The team leader! Her family includes: husband Brian and three children Morgan, Jordan and Chad. She has as been to Cork, South Africa once before.

Favourite Quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5,6

Song for the Soundtrack: "What a wonderful World"

I'm going to Africa because:

This will be my second experience in Cork, South Africa . I am very excited to return and witness for myself the progress that has been made there. Having been there before I am aware of the conflict and stress in Cork . It is palatable among the people. I am honored to work within the areas that are most vulnerable and I hope to continue to help develop Cork at the community level. I will continue to do my part in this community to help them build their capacity to do the work that needs to be done, for them to continue to live as families. The need for employment has led many –mainly men-out of the community searching for a better life. Many never returning to their families. Or returning with illness that leads to their death and/ or their wives inevitable demise. In which case orphans are left to raise themselves. Our job now is to support the youth in their decisions and educate them to make better choices. We will continue to support and educate the women of the community, the Homebase Care Workers, who give so much time of their time to the orphans, the sick and the dying.

To go to Africa for me is to truly feel God’s presence—I can’t wait to go.

Favourite Place to Spend Time: The Hot Tub!

Is known for "my takeout menus" in the kitchen