(HOPE for AIDS invited Valencia of Positive Ray Reef to visit Lulisandla Kumntwana in Nov 2011.)
My visit to Lulisandla Kumtwana (LK) in Mseleni was full of new findings and great experiences. I have most definitely made new friends and this has been priceless. The purpose of the trip was to look, listen and learn and I believe my goal has been achieved plus much more.
Rachel and Valencia during staff meeting
The fist evening was started with supper and Bible study and my first note in my notepad was “Praise God for reminding me once again to stay humble”. The studies started with singing and reading the word. All I could think, as each person commented on the scripture, was how soft and humble they were. I paused and took everything in, as I observed the group whom I had just met an hour ago but felt so at home with, and the manner they served the Lord and each other.
The next four days and nights were like riding a “Taxi with no stop street”. It was planning, meetings, visit, praying, workshops, discussions till late in the evening, thinking, and learning, oh did I say praying and if you had time… eating. However I would not think twice about getting into this Taxi again, because it has been during this ride that I learned so much.
The first observation I made was how dedicated the team at Lulisandla is. Although they were short staffed they managed well and I could see the teamwork they demonstrated. I was also very aware of how involved they are with their clients. What surprised me was the number of orphans in the area, there are just too many.
During the Psycho Social Workshop different topics regarding life skills and dealing with death were addressed. I believe the last topic is something we hardly ever discuss with children. The team at LK has identified this need and it has proven most helpful to the children. This was noticeable during the children’s presentations on Sunday. I believe it was always meant for children to play and have fun, and this was well taken care of during the lessons.
Many thanks again to all and again and a Salute to the staff and Management of LK.
Regards, Valencia
Valencia was especially impressed by LK’s work in the following areas: LK’s extensive data base and its wealth of information, LK’s good relationship with community leaders and churches, the communities assistance in identifying new orphans and in monitoring those already supported, LK’s assistance to orphans in obtaining death, birth and ID documents, and the concept of the OVC liaison teacher
As a direct result of Valencia’s visit to Lulisandla Kumntwana the following took place (Valencia reports):
The Data base has been expanded. A student worked on it during December and January.
PPRR are now involved in two more NGO forums. The Social Auxiliary represents us at Child Welfare and the coordinator represents as at the local NGO sector.
We have also started networking with the City Of Johannesburg Displacement Unit, they are a group of Social workers assisting us with the street children.
Tags: dealing with death, orphans
