It seems that the task of helping people is not always easy or straightforward. Sometimes the help that we think is best is not really what a person wants or needs at this time in their life. As old as we are, we are still learning. In January, one of our St. Brendan’s girls did not return after spending Christmas with her granny who lives about an hour away from here. She sent word that she was going to stay with her granny, who is almost completely blind, and help care for

Every February St. Brendan’s High School holds an awards day – called Prize Giving Day – for the purpose of honoring students who have done exceptionally well the previous school year. A guest speaker is invited to inspire students to strive for a good education and a bright future. Often the speaker is a former St. Brendan’s student who has done well in the years since graduating from school. This year, we were delighted to see that the guest speaker was a young woman named

We went for a long walk recently and noticed some things that cannot be spotted while driving. A beautiful, graceful yellow flower that made its way up to the light through a gnarled and extra thorny Acacia tree. An unexpected treasure. As we walked through the very harsh environment in this part of the country with its dry, sandy, rutted and rocky roads; we came upon a lovely crèche, built by a small community. More than forty preschoolers attend every day and learn some bas

Low: Dipuo came to Bakhita Village some years ago, fitting in quite well and thriving. After graduating from primary school, she entered St. Brendan’s High School where she was a boarder last year getting very good grades and a solid promotion to grade 9. She is one of “our” girls that Bakhita Charities sponsors – paying all expenses for her education. A few days ago, Dipuo’s aunt arrived and said to us that she had come to collect her niece. Dipuo told her that she wants to

We thought the girls at Bakhita Village might enjoy a Saturday excursion. It’s been more than a year since they had a treat away from home. After a bit of brainstorming, we decided on a day in the city. Two large vans, called combies or taxis, were hired that carried all the Bakhita girls plus seven chaperones. We left for the hour-long ride to the medium-size city of Polokwane. Our destination was the Mall of the North, a relatively new mall with modern stores, restaurants a

We are again fortunate to be at Bakhita Village on the Feast Day of Saint Josephine Bakhita. This year is also the fifteen-year anniversary of the opening of this home for girls. So, the celebration feast day mass was even more special. As we were leaving South Africa in 2002, after living here for two years, two women who had helped with the start-up of Bakhita Village, made us a beautiful candle as a memento of the opening of the home. The candle has the name of each of th

The girls have been waiting patiently for us to declare that it was finally the day for giving out the gift bags that they, of course, knew we had brought with us from the United States. We all gathered together – the girls, the caregivers and Sr. Clothilde – and we began with a prayer and a song. We told the girls about all the kind and caring people who had lovingly and carefully provided and prepared their gifts. They gave you all some great applause! The anticipation grew

Six days after our departure from Oxford, with many happy reunions along the way, we finally reached Bakhita Village. The girls were delighted to see us as were their caregivers and the Sisters who oversee the Bakhita Village home. We were greeted with singing, dancing and, of course, a little bit of silliness. We gave each girl the traditional African adult-to-child greeting by holding our hands together as they kiss our hand while we kiss theirs. John answered questions f