Winter on the projects – June Update

Kids and volunteers alike practice their Zulu dancing at
After School Club at Monzi Primary. 

Winter has officially arrived in St. Lucia! June has been a month full of enthusiastic volunteers, an unexpected amount of rain, and suitcases full of donations. Thanks to all the volunteers who were here during the past few weeks. Here’s a project update for all past and future volunteers. 



Home Based Care


HBC has been going strong in both the Khula and Ezwenelisha villages. As for some of our patients, Veronica is doing better and has been moved to a quieter house just built on her property, which she is enjoying. Thulani, who has large sores on his leg, has been transferred to the hospital and we will be checking up on him for the coming weeks. Christopher is doing well, though he is going to visit the hospital soon due to a pain in his right eye. Bheki has been a regular at our Ezwenelisha Support Group, though the Kaposi's sarcoma in his leg is giving him constant pain. Mr. Chips and Gogo Blind are also doing well. 



10 Families


Gogo Joyce’s fence has finally been finished and she is eager to not have her garden invaded by cows. The Mhkwanazi family suffered a tragedy this month when the family’s oldest son died in a work accident, leaving the family devastated. With their source of income now depleted, we have supplied the family with a large food donation. Over the past week the Mhkwanazi garden’s fence was fixed to keep the chickens out and new seeds have been planted for them. A clothing donation was also given to the Mavundla family, who have taken in quite a number of the community’s orphans in recent months. 



Crèche

Over the past three weeks the volunteers have been teaching the children at all three crèches about fire, water, and methods of transport. All three lessons included a day about water safety, fire safety, and safety around the roads. Playing games like “Red Light, Green Light”, guessing what items would sink or flat in a bucket of water and learning “Stop, Drop and Roll” were definite highlights. Volunteers have been ecstatic to be teaching the kids practical knowledge that could help to keep them safe!



After School Club 


The kids at Monzi Primary had a blast being introduced to the activity “soccer baseball” by a couple of Canadians last week and some even had a trip to the beach on Youth Day. The boys are doing well – keep an eye on the Facebook page for a photo update of their dormitory, which is looking great. After School Club has been a favourite for many of the volunteers, some of which got to watch and participate in a talent show at the beginning of June – what a treat! 



Gardens


The beginning of June marked the start of our Khula Support Group Garden, a large plot of land behind one of the lady’s houses that is still in the process of being cleared. Our AMREF garden is also going strong (after a few problems with invading chickens and turkeys) and tomatoes were replanted and doing well last week. 



Support Groups


The Khula Support Group has been busy with their garden and deciding on a business plan for selling healthy juices in Khula to generate some income. As usual, their crafts are selling well and all the ladies are healthy and happy. 
The Ezwenelisha Support Group saw a bit of a dip in participation as some of the group’s members are feeling uncomfortable in the Lifeline Organization building as they no longer work as carers. We are in the process of finding a new place to hold the support group and the current members are optimistic that the group will be at full strength once we move locations.