18 days left

Mambo rafikis! We’ve been out of power so I haven’t been able to do a significant update.  So here ya go!

We’ve received two absolutely amazing volunteers at Hill Crest.  They are from London and have done just great things for the school.  Because they are friends at home, they work really well together in the classroom.  Gabby and Juan also saw things they could do to improve the school, and since they fundraised before coming here, they’ve really helped us a lot.  They bought more plates and spoons so we have enough for all the kids (because of new ones).  Also, we now have a CD player, so we can listen to the Macarena, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, Lion King songs, etc in the playground during break.  The kids love it! They also bought 80kgs of rice, beans and pasta.  Amazing.  In addition to all they’ve done for the school, they’ve also chosen to sponsor Casto to go to a better school to meet his academic needs.  Casto is one of our brightest kids and one in the most need, so I think it’s just great they’ve chosen to place him in a better established school.  Something we hope Hill Crest to be in the future!! I have to admit, coming back I was nervous that our dream of future Hill Crest would be near impossible.  When I was here last time, I was just high on life the entire time and thought the school could be just what I have pictured in my head.  But coming back, I got nervous that I would be the only one who cared enough about the school to make it great, and alone, I can’t make Hill Crest everything it deserves to be.  These past few days at Hill Crest since my return have completely restored my faith in the dream.  Every day I see improvements in Hill Crest that will ultimately help us be an even more desired school than we are now.  I see our kids thriving in the classroom, being taught by certified teachers, the playground being used all the time, the garden helping the kids learn how to sustain themselves, painted walls, an amazing boarding room where the kids feel like they are home.  I just cannot wait for future Hill Crest, I know that the dreams are not just dreams, they are absolutely attainable. 

Something else I’m excited about is DAD COMING!!! YAYYYY KEV!! He comes in five days.  I can’t wait, it’s going to be so nice to be able to talk about what it’s like here to someone who will understand.  We have so many things to do, places to see, people to meet.  I can’t wait. I CAN’T WAIT. HURRY DADDY HURRY!!! 

Okay.  Another thing I’m excited for, is meeting some man that went to a clinic yesterday.  You’re probably confused, so I’ll explain.  I’ve got two friends here in a medical placement and a really, really nice clinic in town.  They got home yesterday and told me this story about an amazing man from South Africa who has devoted his life to helping people.  He started a school in Uzbekistan, speaks 11 different languages, adopted his daughter, and spent six years in a handful of other places in the middle east. He’s lived all over the world though.  The only places he hasn’t been are Canada and the US! Ha! The girls said he would be in the clinic again the next day, so I told them to give him my email because I would absolutely Love to talk to him.  Soak of some of his life stories and wisdom, and get some guidance on what he did to be so successful.  Everything they told me about him just gave me the chills and I can’t wait to hear everything first hand.  Since I’m kind of leaning toward the life path of travel and helping communities around Africa and potentially the world, it will be great to hear all about this man’s life.  I’m hoping to see him this weekend, and will keep you all updated on how our talk goes.  

I’ve got about 18 days left and I feel good about going home.  I know what to expect, I know it’s going to hurt my kids as much as it will hurt me to leave again, but now they all understand that I’m coming back. I came back once, I’ll be back again.  I’m really excited to start fundraising also, so I have a lot to look forward to at home.  

Thanks to everyone who has kept up with my blog and my journey, it means a lot to know that I’ve got such an amazing support group at home.  Love to you all!