Sizabantwana

Madiba day! It is a day that symbolises a new beginning, a change, and a future for all. Sometimes in life we need a helping hand to stay on course, and sometimes we need to be the helping hand in someone else’s life. Today we want to make a difference to the 650 orphaned and vulnerable children of Sizabantwana. The plan is to implement a water purifying system and build swings, so that children can be children, and that fun and laughter will be part of their upbringing. After all: “Laughter is the best medicine.” The team of Induna Adventures, together with the Muller family, went out to the first of 3 care centres in the Mariti area near Hazyview. The Muller Family heads “Cleanwater”, a company that purifies water for drinking. At each of the 3 centres they erected purifying systems, to ensure clean, healthy and potable (drinkable) water. 60% of these children tested positive for Bilharzia in 2010. Clean water is a basic need and hopefully this initiative will increase the health status of the Sizabantwana children, and reduce the risk of Bilharzia and any other water related diseases. In the background Team Induna was shovelling, digging, drilling, lifting, around the clock, to get the swings ready before the children arrived from school. With the friendly help of BU CO hardware, who sponsored the poles, the swings were ready to be put in action. The excitement in the air was tangible as the children saw the new addition to their playground. The swings will surely be tested as the queue looked longer than a J’ burg traffic jam. It was a big feeling of satisfaction, as the sound of laughter, screams and smiles were shared among all. We wanted to sow a future into their lives, but the impact that the children’s laughter had on us, will carry us well into 2012. In addition to all of these happenings, 50 lucky children, and the caregivers of Siyakhula centre, were transported for a special pre-planned fun day at Sabie River Sun. They were fed properly out of their kitchen and were spoiled with games around the play grounds. When they arrived back at Siyakhula centre it sounded like a soccer world cup game as they chanted their favourite tunes. The will to change is a surviving necessity for all human beings and I wonder what starts and drives this will, to change for the better? And how can we as adults foster it in our kids, especially those in need. Madiba will know...