St. Philip's Hostel for Children Newsletter
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| The following is a newsletter created by Diana Bos, Director of St. Philip's Hostel for Children, and sent to those who have chosen to sponsor a child. To learn more about Sponsoring a Child in Swaziland, please click here. | |
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The
Children As before, there were mixed reactions from the groups of children we transported. Some piled into the cars enthusiastically until they were jammed in like sardines and sang joyously about going home to see their relatives and friends, whereas others sat quietly and pensively. Maybe they were thinking about the fact that there would not be much to eat for the next few weeks, or earlier times when their parents had still been alive, or recalling abuse from distant relatives. Each time we stopped on the roadside to let children off there would be general chaos - children clambering over each other and spilling out, dragging their few belongings behind them. Sr. Anna Maria, Heather, the Cabrini Mission Corps volunteer, and Agatha, the Hostel mother, are visiting the children regularly over the holidays to check their health, their food status, and monitor their general well-being. The children know that if they have problems at home, they can always come back to the mission, which gives them a sense of security. |
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Christmas Over the last term we have been fortunate to have a 23 year-old Swazi woman named Winile working with us. Winile is an old acquaintance of Cabrini, having been sponsored by Sr. Raphael while a pupil at St. Philip’s school. She has become a great friend to all the hostel children, like a sister or little mother to them, and is hoping to commence nursing training next year. With input from the hostel staff and children, Winile was instrumental in devising a concert routine for the Christmas party. The routine lasted nearly two hours and included traditional and modern dancing, singing, sketches, and poems. One condition for the day was that all children had to participate in at least one performance, ensuring that everyone took part in one way or another. There was much preparation and many rehearsals in the month prior, which resulted in a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. After the concert, all the children received a wrapped gift (items distributed included gifts sent by sponsors). A group of Portuguese people from town, who get together regularly to support the needy, very generously provided most of the food for the day. The children had requested barbequed meat (chicken and beef), rice, coleslaw, potato salad, and beetroot salad, followed by ice cream and cake. Also included was a bag of sweets for each child! The children were so full they could hardly move. They enjoyed themselves immensely, as did everyone involved. After the meal, the children examined each other’s gifts, shared them around, and danced to the music. When darkness fell, we had fireworks to end the evening. Needless to say, everyone slept well that night! |
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| Education The prize-giving ceremony I mentioned last time went very well. We held it one evening in the dining hall and presented all children who had achieved within the top 10 positions in each grade with a new cap, a smart pen, and pencil. Initially there was some jealousy, as anticipated, but it seems to have achieved the desired effect, with many children working harder at their school work. After consultation with the Hostel staff, we have decided to move seven of the bigger girls and six of the boys to the Senior Boarding House. We announced this at a Tinkundla meeting, when all the children were present. Some seemed surprised, and some began to cry because they did not want to move. We reassured them that they are all still part of the Hostel program and are free to visit us whenever they like. The boys that were moved across last year have been regular visitors to our house this year and it is nice that they want to keep close contact. |
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| Weather Apart from a few days of rain since I last wrote, the drought continues. Some farmers have ploughed their land and planted seeds, but there has not been sufficient rain to bring the crops on to date. It is a heart-breaking time for the Swazis, and we continue to provide food support to a limited number of needy people (poor, old and/or sick men and women). As you can imagine, there is much despair and depression in the community. Many of the streams and bore-holes have dried up and so the locals have to travel further to obtain water. It is extremely difficult for the sick and elderly who have to rely on others for their supplies. Added to this, of course, is the misery of AIDS. |
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HIV/AIDS However, enduring traditional beliefs, such as thinking that infected people have been bewitched or poisoned by jealous friends or relatives, tend to get in the way of mainstream HIV/AIDS education programs. As more and more of the middle generation die and the HIV/AIDS infection rate continues to escalate, we realize that we must concentrate our energies on the young Swazi generation, and try and save them through ongoing education from the very beginning. |
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Land Development Over several weeks in November and December we had three government bulldozers clear and plough a large area of land. We employed many local women to help clear it as well. We plan to use this land for growing vegetables for the children and the needy and will also graze some cattle for milk when the drought ends. |
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Departure of Cabrini Sisters Sisters Anna Maria and Speranza have decided to retire and will be leaving
St. Philip’s at the end of January. We are planning a farewell Mass
and Celebration day for them before they depart, as there are many people
who will want to say goodbye to them. Sr. Anna Maria has been in Swaziland
for 32 years and Sr. Speranza for 30 years, so you can imagine how many lives
they have touched over that time. They will be missed by many and we wish
them well in their retirement.
One of the Swazi Servite sisters, Sr. Veronica, has agreed to take on a pastoral care role with the Hostel children. She is a gentle, elderly, maternal woman and we are delighted to have the opportunity to involve another Swazi with the children. There are three Servite sisters on the mission. Sr. Pauline is younger, and in charge of the Senior Boy and Girl Boarders, and Sr. Ave teaches Sunday school and helps Sr. Pauline with shopping. |
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Donations Useful Items
All donated goods can be sent to: Thank you for all the items that you have sent. Your interest and support
is always appreciated. Please click here to learn more about Sponsoring a Child in Swaziland. |
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