A SPECIAL VISIT

After school today, I was fortunate enough to walk along the streets of downtown Johannesburg from the school to the Central Methodist Church. For Miss Beanie and I to do this, the school/church security guard, Martin, escorted us. I felt so grateful to be able to do this! I was going to meet  Bishop Paul Verryn, who oversees the church of 3000-4000 people on a daily basis, the school where I volunteer and the  accommodation for the refugee families and orphans in Soweto.

 For those of you interested, check out this link. Bishop Paul is a very interesting man who is part of the African history and anti-Apartheid era. There are many articles that you can Google. Try the link below to read about this amazing man!

BISHOP PAUL VERRYN

While I was at the church, I saw first hand where the thousands of people slept during the night! On the floors, steps, benches, church pews, wherever they could find a space. For personal safety reasons, many of the unaccompanied children have been relocated to the accommodation at Soweto.

I went downstairs in the basement area to visit the creche which is called F.L.O.C.

FOR the LOVE OF CHILDREN.

There I got to see all of the babies rugged up and sleeping on this very cold day. I just wanted to hug them all! One precious little pink bundle was not in a sleepy mood and she just babbled away to anyone who would listen!  The children play, sleep and eat downstairs without going into the fresh air or seeing the sunshine.  :0(   But it is the best they can do , with the resources that they have. The teachers and caregivers are there from 6 am - 6:30 pm, caring for these beautiful children whilst their parents are at work, studying, out looking for work,  begging or sadly for a few….doing nothing.

CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH, JOHANNESBURG