Week 3: Bulembu

Farewell to Bulembu

It is our last night in Bulembu. The weather has been great for our last few days. A couple of nights ago we got to see a pretty fascinating lightning storm. The sky and stars seem so clear hear as we are far from any form of city life. I have most definitely gained a new appreciation for nature while being here. I have seen so many bugs and creatures unknown to us at home.

I have had a bit of mixed emotions in our closings days here. I am looking forward to my new home in Cape Town and the relationships that await me there, but I am also a bit sad as we bring closure to the relationships developed here. Sunday we went to the BMS houses again for our usual hang out with the kids there. They cooked corn, or “maize” as they say, over the fire for us again as we sat and talked. A few of the boys did yet another choreographed dance for us. After the dancing, four of the boys took the initiative to simply sit in front of the camera and tell us a bit about themselves. Each of them talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up. One boy in particular really captured my heart as he told me he wanted to be a professional soccer player in order to make lots of money. He told me he would use the money to take care of the poor, widows, and orphans. I am sure the reality of life around him has given him much perspective on what is important in life, as he is just fifteen years old.

We couldn’t bare to say goodbye to them yet, so we promised to return the next day. We went back on Monday with gifts. We wanted to give them something before we parted, but all we had to give were some stuffed animals and candy. We took it to the houses, and I know both Amy and I felt a bit stupid about how insignificant our gifts were. We handed them out, and of course the kids were so excited and thankful. We felt a little better, until it was time to say goodbye. This was so hard; mostly because I know that many of these kids already have issues with people leaving, as many of them were left, in some way, by their parents. I also had no idea when I would be able to see them again. That, combined with the disappointed looks on their faces as we said goodbye was enough to put knots in my stomach. Sometimes I wonder if short visits like ours does more harm than good when it comes to befriending orphans. As Amy and I walked up the hill away from the orphan houses we asked ourselves what else we could do that would make a significant difference in their lives. We came to one conclusion- we could stay.

After these heavy thoughts, I had to remind myself of a few things. First, these kids are being taken care of incredibly well and getting the best education available in Swaziland. Also, they have a place they call home and friends that are like brothers and sisters. They are in good hands! This makes parting a tiny bit easier.

We leave early tomorrow morning for Matsapa airport. I cannot help but wonder if my feet will ever tread again on Swazi soil. I have no idea, but I would like to think so.

Week 2: Bulembu

A Surprise Around Every Corner

In the 1920’s Bulembu was a thriving mining town. At that time it was also inhabited by the English. There was a fully functioning hospital, golf course, and theatre. I cannot help but wonder what Bulembu looked like in the 1920’s when every building was inhabited by people. Bulembu is far from being a ghost town at this point, yet one can easily see remnants of a once thriving 1920’s town, right here in Swaziland. The neighboring town of Jamieson Village, however, is completely abandoned, and I must say it is the essence of a true ghost town. To this day, the underground mining tunnels can be found and tracked throughout both of the villages. It is somewhat eerie.

I had the opportunity to visit with the workers of the Bulembu clinic last week. They, of course, are using one of the buildings that used to be part of the hospital run by the English back in the 1920’s. This hospital was also used recently, up until about 2001. My tour of the buildings was fascinating as old machinery, utensils, and other medical supplies were literally left in the place they were last used. It literally seems as if everyone vanished in the midst of working.

To say I was impressed with the running of the clinic is an understatement. Right now there are three Swazi nurses who take care of all the patients here in Bulembu. They take turns being on call 24/7. The clinic mostly deals with issues of dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and broken bones. But, I think, most importantly, they are able to help mothers who are infected with HIV by administering ARV’s (anti-retroviral’s) that help keep not only the mother healthy, but the baby as well. The ARV’s have the potential to take someone who has HIV and is in a very unhealthy state and bring them back to good health. The clinic does not have to purchase these as the ARV’s are given freely by the government. Although I am confident that the clinic is well equipped to deal with basic emergencies, if anything comes up that the nurses are not able to handle, there is an ambulance ready to bring the patient to the neighboring town of Pigg’s Peak where there is a hospital.

On Sunday I met again with the children at the BMS houses where many of the be:good foundation’s sponsored children live. Once again, it was a very exciting time. Sure enough, the boys who promised us a choreographed dance were ready when we arrived. Tables and couches were moved out of the living area and a mixed CD was put in. The first dance was done to T.I. and Rihanna’s song Live Your Life. There were two brothers who danced in unison throughout the entire song. These guys were incredible! They were popping and locking like I have never seen before. Their bodies were moving in ways that seemed physically impossible to me. Many of the movements were very robotic. It was incredible to watch. After that, they did another dance that involved mostly footwork. I don’t know how to describe it except to say it was like watching Usher, Michael Jackson, and Justin Timberlake all in one. After that, everyone wanted to show off their moves. It was an incredible time, and to top it all off, they have promised another show this Sunday with a choreographed dance with all of the kids from the two neighboring houses! I have no doubt they will put on a fantastic show.

When the dance party was over, we spent some time just hanging out with the kids. All of the kids have chores to help around the houses. We were outside by a fire that was made by the kids so they could cook corn on the cob as a snack before dinner. Maybe I was hungry, but that was the best corn on the cob I have had. I sat and talked with some of the older boys about America, soccer, and future aspirations. I am confident that many of them will accomplish the dreams they have in their hearts. In talking with one of the main administrators here in Bulembu the other day, he made a fascinating point that has stuck with me: Many of these children were discarded, rejected, abused, and left to be on their own. Now, they are getting one of the best education’s offered to Swazi children and are living in a town that is being rebuilt with the sole purpose of raising up the future leaders of Swaziland. Now, when I talk with these young children, I cannot help but see a future government official of Swaziland, a doctor, a teacher, or even a king. How amazing that the once dishonored are being lifted up to places of honor. This concept both blows my mind and excites me for the future of Swaziland. I am so happy and blessed to share a small part in this wonderfully counter-culture village of Bulembu.

Needless to say, my time thus far has been both fascinating and full of surprises. I can’t wait to see what other surprises Bulembu holds for our last week here…

Week 1 : Bulembu

A Storm is Brewing!

The last few days in Bulembu have been rainy and cloudy, but I will take the rain over the heat any day! The rain has brought some much needed relief. Although, I am told that it rains a lot in the summers in Bulembu. I say bring the rain!

Bulembu really is an amazing community unlike any other I have experienced. It is a very small village where everyone knows one another, and everyone works together. It is interesting to compare the type of lifestyle exemplified here in Bulembu to what I am used to back home, where I hardly know my neighbors. I think there is something to learn from this type of true community living. Being good to one another seems to come so natural in a small village such as this.

Despite the rain, life has moved on. So much seems to happen in just a day here. Last week was spent mostly being introduced to Bulembu and to the many people who help to make Bulembu function. I have spent a lot of time with the students in the schools. The elementary, middle, and secondary schools are all right next to each other. This is incredibly helpful in a very hilly, mountainous village. I have really enjoyed getting acquainted with the children of the village. They are very sweet and humble, but they also have no problem heckling my cultural idiosyncrasies. All in good fun, of course.

As many of you may know, the be:good foundation is sponsoring twelve of the orphans here in Bulembu that are currently staying in what is called the Bulembu Houses. Each house has a house mom and an auntie to look after the children. On Saturday, we were introduced to each of these women; we were then allowed to spend some time with the orphans be:good is sponsoring. It was very exciting to finally connect the faces and pictures.

Many of the children are in one house, but not all. We were at the house that held nine of our children, most of which are older boys. We got to spend about two hours with them, most of which was spent just talking and watching WWF on the television. They don’t get many channels here in Bulembu, but regardless, the teenage boys absolutely love WWF wrestling. Kind of funny! The boys have promised to do a choreographed dance for us; they are so extremely excited about this as they know it will be filmed, and they are very confident in their dancing skills! We are also going to play soccer with them on Sunday. I have seen the boys twice since Saturday, and they are very excited for our next rendezvous, as am I.

As I sat there talking to each of the kids, I was overwhelmed with the thought that without people being willing to sponsor these kids, they would be completely and totally alone on the world. They would have no place to live, no schooling, no food, and most importantly no one to love and care for them as the house moms and aunties do. It was so relieving to look at each boy and know he was going to school, living in a comfortable and healthy house, and he had someone looking after him. The reality of what this sponsorship means became very evident as I wondered where each boy would be without it. The thought is very daunting.

As I mentioned in the last blog, the be:good foundation is also helping to rebuild one of the run down houses and rebuild it into an orphanage. I have had the opportunity to see both the old houses, and the revamped housing. The difference is amazing, especially considering that just $9,000 US dollars can completely rebuild these houses to hold six orphans and give each a tremendous boost in his or her quality of life. The difference could really be that of life and death. Upon our return we will have video footage and pictures of the difference that $9,000 dollars can make in this housing situation. I think you will be very impressed. As more and more orphans are being sent to Bulembu as a place of safety, more and more housing is needed. I cannot imagine having the housing available to care for every orphan in Swaziland, but having to turn them away because the housing is completely unlivable. We cannot let this happen.

I could go on and on, but I must stop somewhere. All of that and it has only been one week. There is much more to come. Stay posted…

Off to Africa

Be:Good has just sent two representatives to Bulembu, Swaziland.  Christina and Amy are arriving today and are going to be working on a number of projects.  Stay tuned as they will be sending us updates on their trip and the work they are doing.