My Transforming Journey at Ethembeni!!

Well after a month at Ethembeni I can definitely say that my life has changed! When the 9 of us walked into the Family Centre I dont think any of us imagined how challenging, exciting and emotional it would be. We built so many amazing friendships with the children and the staff and I was particularly touched by the hospitality shown to us throughout our stay.



We started our stay with 2 weeks of holiday club at the family centre with around 60 children showing up every day! We visited Umgeni Valley where we went on a nature walk and saw zebras much to our excitement! We also introduced the children to some of our songs, dances and games, after the children showed us some Zulu dancing we taught them the YMCA, I really hope they dont think it is our national dance! We had sports days with netball, football, relay races and sack races and craft activities and much much more. We also then helped out at Ethembeni gardening for a few days, we were joined by an amazing group of ladies who put our gardening and trench digging skills to shame! When the amazing Richard and Lisa left they donated a jungle gym for the family centre children to play on this went down very well as you would imagine with the children!





























































































I just thank God so much for all the blessings he has given me in Mpophomeni, the stories told, the friendships made and most of all for the changes that I have made since being back in the UK. Mainly my way of thinking and approach to situations. Seeing and meeting people with such serving hearts, hospitable families and amazingly grateful attitudes really touched me and challenged me to re-think my attitudes towards situations in my life and realising how much I have got to be grateful for. I want to say a huge thankyou and send a Kamorga to all the staff at ethembeni, and the family centre and the amazing families that we stayed with! God really blessed our stay, and I pray that he would keep pouring his abundant blessings and love on his children in Mpophomeni. I will leave you with a few beautiful shots of Mpophomeni!

Rachel.