Mpophomeni Family Centre and Ethembeni has a magnetism that
just draws you back again and again. Recently I returned to MFC for my third
trip since 2009 and have had the pleasure and privilege of seeing some
wonderful developments physically of MFC and also within the staff who work
there. It has been amazing to see the changes in MFC such as properly tiled
flooring, computer spaces, wonderful new ovens in the kitchen, brightened and
painted walls in the ECD and activity room and a useable play therapy room,
which when I first arrived was just a storage/dumping room. It has also been
amazing to witness the changes in the staff who serve there; each of them with
their own individual and defined role, yet also working together as one team.
It has been possible to see the staff thrive under their different
responsibilities and really be proud in the work that they do.
Since I first volunteered with Ethembeni in 2009, there have
been a whole host of volunteers each year and it is wonderful to know that
knowledge of Ethembeni, MFC, the staff and kids is now worldwide and
continually growing. The way volunteers are now utlilised and cared for has
developed hugely. It is also wonderful to see the increase in local volunteers
from Howick and the surrounding areas who serve on a regular basis in multiple
areas of the ministry. They have enabled long-term relationships to develop and
the development of projects such as iPhepha beads and the such like which gives
the opportunity to learn novel skills.
My visit to MFC recently, although too
short was one which I once again thoroughly enjoyed and loved every minute of.
Been given to chance to reconnect with staff and kids in person and develop new
relationships with new members of staff has once again been amazing. It is a
place which is very special and although left by a very many number of people, I
know it is never forgotten.
