My friend Julia |
I had wanted to get in touch with Julia DiKhalma, a teacher from Thaba Tseka, to see if she was coming to the Camp. She was my wonderful sister, the lady who took me riding in the mountains of that remote village five hours from Leribe when we visited sponsored children in 2008. I failed to get in touch with her before I left Canada. When she walked into the Camp, we were both happy beyond words to see each other. I had to measure my reactions and time spent, as jealousy would be real and destructive overall, but I managed a couple quiet chats. I found out she has 17 people in her home and under her care and can’t retire from teaching. A son died and his wife came with their two children and two other orphans to live with Julia. The wheelbarrow I gave her a year ago to take her produce to market has been destroyed and she can’t replace it. Her husband drinks too much. Her life is hard, yet she has a magnificent spirit. The night I spent in the teacher’s dorm playing cards with them was my favourite night. Julia’s laugh fills a room, and I lost a Basotho game two times – inheriting the Joker, thereby marrying the bad man. They all concluded I would have to stay in Lesotho married to this bad man.They all fought the bedbugs and we , in our room, did not. I wish I had been able to bring a few more clothes to give her.
The next few days will bring a visit to another orphanage, one run by a local woman , accompanied by another Canadian who is working here for her second winter. Centre issues in the afternoon. I will work with the Sponsored Child lead, M’e Mampaka, and a Canadian intern, Alison, for the week getting the kids outfitted and back to school. Thankfully, they now have vouchers and so we just have to hand out and keep tracks of these, not buy 250 pairs of shoes, 250 uniforms etc.
I hope to see a grandmother visit, probably in a remore village, this week soemtime and go to the Orphanage in Maseru next week. I will try to get another letter out next Monday or so. It will be a very short visit.
The gifts, craft supplies , glasses et al very appreciated and well used.Thanks
Thinking of everyone at home and wondering what you would all think if you could be here in my shoes.
Happy New Year.
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