The Miracle of Water and the Blessing of Chickens (6-5-15)

Danie, first guy on left in photo below, brought his BIG truck in to blow all the years of debris out of the well, so Peter could repair it.  Danie charged us minimal, so Helping Hands could afford to do this project.

We just got word that the hand pump is now installed on the well and is working great!  The people are so grateful to this man, Peter Pelser.  He not only repaired the well, but he came back to the settlement 4 times to refill the big JoJo tank (at his expense) so the people would have water until he could get the pump handle installed.  There really are “good” people everywhere. 

We have shared the water project at Brondal Settlement.  These two special people, Stephanie and Ian Milne were helpful in many ways to accomplish what almost looked impossible.  They run the Ekukhanyeni Lodge where we stayed while working at the project. Ekukhanyeni means, “place of Light.”  When Stephanie and Ian learned what we were doing at the Settlement, they instantly wanted

to help and made it possible for us to bring the Creche to Brondal for their little children.  We were blessed with their kind generosity.

Alick Kumalo showed us the computer lab at Dadani.. Though it looks like they have MANY computers, only two of them work.  The broken ones are used to allow the students to learn key board.  The class has to cram around two computers which makes it difficult for them to learn.

Upon our return, we brought Dadani another “working” computer.  As you can see, Alick was truly happy for this gift.  The books are still in limbo.  We will keep you informed.

Modester and Trust were able to sell ALL their 102 chickens from their first batch.  It allowed them to pay for their daughter’s school tuition for two terms and to purchase a small freezer.  Now, they can freeze chickens that don’t sell right away without losing profit feeding them beyond 6 weeks.

Modester is an astute business woman and keeps impeccable records.  Trust wanted two chickens for a cook out with us.She handed him the chickens, but he had to pay for them.  I said, “Modester, I can’t believe you charged your own husband for two chickens.”  To which she replied, “This is a business!”

I have to admit, those chickens were really tasty.  As you can see, we ate right next to the coop.

Craig helps his Mom with the new batch of chickens.  Their profit will be greater because of the additional 25 chickens they got.

Modester and Trust, Maurice and Mho are all on their second round of chickens.  They are very excited about how this has changed their lives and given them a source of income.  Trust is growing their business and started with over 125 chickens for the second round.

The student HHTH is supporting at Dadani, Trafazda, is continuing to do well and carry high grades.  Please keep “Toughie” and his Mom in your prayers.  His Dad disappeared when he was a baby, so he has never actually seen him.  And she struggles to keep them afloat.  So, they were really grateful for the tuition from HHTH.  This is only possible because of your help.  You are helping to make a difference across the globe!

It is my joy to have such a bright and kind hearted daughter like CJ.  She personally bought a huge bag of clothing so we could hand them out to 8 elderly people in a home.  They ranged in age fro 65 to 104.  Yes.  One hundred and four!

Yes.  One hundred and four!  And here she is.  Amazing, and she still walks alone.  HHTH furnished them with seeds to grow healthy vegetables.

Bountiful Harvest (May 16, 2015)

Let me introduce you to the people who now can grow crops not only for their own family, but also sell their produce to support their families. This is Thiafate who lives in Dovho.  HHTH made a micro loan to Thiafate and he has already begun to enjoy the fruits of his labors in his garden.

Our 7 Men and a Garden have steadily worked in clearing, plowing and installing irrigation in their large garden. Their's will give these 7 men (and eventually more people) jobs. They have planted a huge field of okra that is now ready to harvest. Meanwhile, they are growing seedlings of tomatoes, onions and several other vegetables that will be ready for planting once the okra is harvested. Okra is a very popular crop not only for people, but farmers like to buy it to enrich the food they feed to their pigs.

This is one of two ladies who grow a garden at Dovho primary school. For their labor, they get 40% of the harvest and the school gets 60%.   Previously, they did not have adequate tools or seeds. Now they can reap a plentiful crop.

 There are other projects we will share with you later. All of this has only been possible because you who are reading this have supported our efforts in Africa. It is with a deep sense of gratefulness that we thank you for caring enough for the plight of others that you have
given from your hearts. You must just believe me when I say, YOU have made a dramatic impact on the lives of these people. They can see a brighter future, they can feel hope in their hearts. Please lie down tonight knowing you make a difference in this world. Thank you. 

With love, 

Sidney

The Thrill of Learning a Skill (May 16, 2015)

Five women were selected to learn to sew.  The Headmen of the five Venda Villages selected one person each to send to sewing classes.  These ladies had to walk or find transportation to attend classes taught by Sidney and CJ at Awelani Lodge where we stayed.

Here Hangri is learning to cut out a pattern.  They learned how to use their machines, sew different stitches, and finally produce a garment.

Marri was steady and intense as she learned to turn down edges and sew a straight seam.

By the end of 4 days they had successfully sewn themselves a table cloth, 2 headdresses And a wrap around skirt. Toadsi, 2nd from left, was determined to learn so she could make things for her children.  At the end of the classes each one was given their machine,  scissors, notions, material and a new table. We found out none of them owned a table.  No, not even a dinner table. So, HHTH got
them each a folding table they could use for eating on and for their sewing. They were very sad when the classes were over because we had all created a loving connection.  It will be fulfilling when we return to get back together.

Chickens All Over the Place (May 16, 2015)

We have shared the story of Trust and Modester's chicken business. Here are two more families on their way with their chicken business too.  Maurice, 2nd from left and Mpo (standing behind the children) have also launched a successful venture. Between the 2 families, they have 200 Chickens. They take care of them for 6 weeks then sell them for broilers and get 100 more each to go for another 6 weeks to sell another batch.

When the time is right, people in the Village of Sarani come chicken shopping. 

This discerning customer asked Maurice to let her see two chickens she had picked out. She hefted them in each hand and took the fatter one in her right hand. She marched happily home with a good chicken stew on her mind.  These two families now have good food for themselves and get to produce income by selling to others. Interesting side benefit from HHTH's networking... Gilbert, Fethani H.S. whom we also help, needed 25 chickens to celebrate a huge school event.  CJ asked him to please get the chickens from Maurice and Mpo.  He did and everyone benefitted.  I want to recognize the children and others at Kenwood Church whose funding made it possible for these two families to go into business.

Get a Chicken to Go (May 16, 2015)

We see a bright future for our chicken business owners. Modester and Trust will expand to selling to local restaurants in their area. Then their chickens can even be bought "to go!"

"Light In A Mason Jar" (May 16, 2015)

I have told you of the conditions at Brondal.  Another hardship they face is no electricity.  The sun is a wonderful source of light. HHTH purchased 18 solar lights. They can be set in the sun for a few hours then will produce light for 3 or 4 hours at night.

Recipients were chosen by Brondal's Community Committee.  We taught them how the lights worked by just putting the Mason Jar out in the sun for a few hours.  They marveled that they could magically get light without "plugging in" to electricity. So, we were happy to "put a little light in their life."

The Proof is in the Pot (May 16, 2015)

Let us go back to Trust and Modester and their chicken venture. We were just back in Zim to check on all our projects there and went back by to see Trust and Modester. They started with 102 chickens,
did not lose one to accident or illness. They dress the chickens and put them in a freezer to sell so they never have to worry about having to feed chickens beyond their due date and lose profit on feeding them. They sold all 102 of their chickens!  Two of them Modester sold to Trust. I ask her why she would charge her husband for 2 chickens. She said, it is a business and we must account for every chicken!!!  Trust had actually bought the chickens to have a celebration brie (cook out) with us. They shared the wonderful news that with their first batch all sold, they were able to pay all their daughter's school tuition, buy a small freezer for their chicken business, buy 125 chickens and all the feed and medicine for their next go- around. So they have increased their business by
25%. Trust and Modester both have experience in raising chickens from agricultural school and believe in slowly increasing their business. It was thrilling to celebrate their success.

Thembalethu Creche (May 16, 2015)

You were introduced to Brondal Settlement in the last blog.  It is composed of about 200 + dwellings that are constructed of scraps of wood, plastic and foil liners with dirt floors.  There are no toilets so they use the Forrest behind the settlement, which is a very unhealthy situation. And they have not had
water near by until HHTH helped get an existing bore hole repaired. Their situation is poverty to the  extreme. Their children can't go to school because most of them can't afford to pay tuition (they have to pay for primary and secondary schooling).  We found a good man, Roy Wakefield who has a prefab business and had him build them a Creche so the preschoolers can attend and get one meal a day. Apparently the government will subsidize them if they have a proper Creche. The people all got
out and cleared the area for the building, cleaned up the rubbish and will erect a fence with materials HHTH is having delivered. The name of their new Creche is "Thembalethu" (Tim-ba-me-Ty) which means "Place of Hope." We are working with local farmers and businessmen to transform this situation into a decent living community.  Donors Stephanie and Ian Mikne gave us the funds to build this Creche. Peter Pelser who repaired the bore hole did it for a huge discount,and Roy Wakefield also gave us a Large discount. Nothing is impossible for God.  He opens hearts in all corners of the world.

Living Waters (April 28, 2015)

This is a view of Brondal Settlement from the road. There are between 200 and 300 dwellings.

Today was unbelievable.  Last night I fervently prayed that God open hearts and the way to get potable water to these people. We went back to Brondal Settlement to see their water source. What we found was unconscionable.

To get water, the people must walk across the road and down a deep incline. So they walk down with empty containers and climb up with heavy containers of water.

This man had 2 large containers and had to stop for a rest before climbing the rest of the way out.

Next they must cut through the dense sugar cane field which is wet, uneven and slippery.

They finally get to the source of water where they draw it up to wash clothes and to take home for cooking and drinking.

This is not a spring. It is water run off the road down hill through the cane fields. Many people get sick from it. But it is all they have.

They carry it in back of the cane,

back up the hill to their settlement.

We stopped by to visit "Given" who wrote, "Never give up," on his door and asked to see the inside of his dwelling.  It was clean and orderly. We let him know we were inspired by his message of determination.

"Given" proudly shows us his kitchen.

And his bedroom. Though the floor is dirt, he has covered it with plastic. It stormed last night

which sent water streaming through all these little dwellings. Given had already cleaned his up before going off to work in the forest.

I heard wrong about their pay. Their minimum wage is 80 Rands a day which is not quite $7.00 a day in USD. And they do not get food. 

Given finished off by sweeping his yard.

Zanele's "house" is somewhat larger as she has 2 children and mother who live with her.

Her kitchen area. Again with dirt floors.

It is a amazing how they manage to keep it as neat and clean as they do with water being  such a problem.

We took 3 community leaders into Nelspruit in search of a well & pump company to inquire about a hand pump being installed on their bore head so they could have water IN the settlement and it be a healthy and drinkable water source.

A man named Peter answered his cell and I explained what we needed. He said he was on holiday 1 1/2 hours away in Hazy View. I told him it was urgent that we meet with him today as a water pump needed to be installed immediately.  He reluctantly said he would come meet us in 2 hours. We took the committee for a McDonald's which was a rare treat for them, while we waited for Peter, and discussed other survival needs.

Finally Peter showed and we met over bottled water. I plead with him to do the pump at a price we could afford and needed it installed within 2 days as we were leaving the area. We also showed him these photos. God touched his heart.  Peter knew the well and said it was a strong and good well. He needed to go call to see if he could get the necessary parts and if so he would come tomorrow and have it running in 3 hours. I told him to please take his water and go. He would call me soon.
Meanwhile, we went to a store to get 15 solar lights to give the most needy. I asked the store manager for a discount and told him what we we were doing. He granted us almost 10 percent.

Peter called. The parts had to be ordered, but on faith and his wish to help, he went ahead and ordered them without money from us. And, he said to meet him at Brondal Settlement at 8:30 am tomorrow and he would bring enough fresh water to fill their 1 or 2  5,000 liter tanks. I was overwhelmed by his generosity. Then, he also said he would not charge labor. The water he delivers tomorrow will get them by until he gets the bore head fixed. God answered all my prayers from the night before "pressed down and spilling over."

But that is not the end of the story yet!  When we came back to our lodge, the owners wanted to know how it went. After describing God's chain of events, Stephanie said to her husband Ian, "I Was going to speak to you about this, but I'm just going to say it."  She turned to me and said,"you, CJ and Wayne have come here and opened our eyes to what we have become too complacent to see. We
are going to give you this week's lodging as our contribution.  Your work has shown me what I as a Christian should be doing."  I was overcome!  God cannot be underestimated... He cannot be out given.

The 3 of us went to bed and fell into exhausted sleep.  Stephanie also will be go in the morning to witness the people getting the water. And, knowing how important photos are to our work,  she offered to take photos for us. I am still in a spin of wonderment. 

Brondal Settlement does not have water OR electricity. We got 15 solar lights and took to them to the people.

I explained how to set them in the sun during the day and they would have at least 4 hours of light at night.  They clapped their hands in amazement.  The 15 most needy were chosen. One will go to Given to reward his determination not to give up. Afterwards, we told them about repairing the bore hole. They couldn't believe it, as this has not been functional since 2012!  I also mentioned that they needed to clean up around the bore hole because it was overgrown with debris. Immediately, several got to work and cleaned it all out.

As a Mother, I am so very proud because helping these people with water and other urgent needs was CJ's idea. And donors to HHTH makes this all possible. The mark of American's generosity is flourishing here.

Brundal Settlement (April 27, 2105)

The Settlement committee L to R:
Sydwell-Spokes person, Percy (female) Community Structure Person, Thomas Khosa-Committee Member, and Zane Moengs-in charge of the youths.

Each person is allowed a tiny lot to build a structure. They are vulnerable to the winds a African storms.

This creative child had one flip flop and creatively fashioned a shoe out of a plastic bottle.

Many of these people work in the eucalyptus forest and make less than $1.00 a day and get one non nutritional meal. Fire raged through the settlement last year devouring 1/2 the dwellings and taking a few lives. (Our friends told us-they gathered clothes and food to take them). Please pray for these children of God.

This one took me to my knees. God shows up with hope just when you might think there is none. This settlement has been here for 20 years!

This is BELOW poverty level. Notice the size. There is an average of 4 people per dwelling.

Yet they can still laugh and love.

This is the bore hole we want to get a hand pump installed on so they can have water.

Percy stands on one "street" that is not wide enough for a car. The dwellings are literally right next to each other.