Vuleka Trust

I arrived in Durban on Saturday 12th July.  It was already dark and I was picked up at the airport by Alfred who introduced himself as the property manager of Vuleka.  We got into this old van and off we went, it was pitch black, I couldn't see a thing and had no idea where we were going!!  After about an hours drive, and climbing many hills we arrived.  I was duly dispatched to my new room for the next week, given a cup of tea and that was me!!  This was all a little overwhelming, but after a good nights sleep....I woke to find that I had arrived in Thousand Hills...which made sense of all the hills the night before!

My time at Vuleka became mostly about rest, relaxation and restoration as I developed a bad cold and an awful cough.  Resting is the sun with my 2 new fur-riends, Libby and Bella.

Libby, who will do anything for food!

Bella, who likes to lounge around

There was no programme happening the week I was there due to funding issues, however, I did get involved in other ways.  A group of students from the previous Youth Training Programme came in for a day to see how they were progressing with employment or with university applications.  They are also involved in a community awareness project in their areas.  Each group was working on creating a vegetable garden in a primary school or a creche, to provide fresh nutritious food for the children and a small income from selling extra produce.  I was also shown a recycling project which people could get involved with.  This was making click boxes made out of coca-cola bottles.  People can come along, learn how to make them out of recyclable materials and then sell them to gain a small income.  I love my African themed one.

I had the chance to visit a local government run Secondary School which was in a dire state and sadly indicative of many in townships across the country.

I also visited the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, a fantastic initiative began by Hillcrest Methodist Church to try and begin to address a huge need in the community.  It has a hospice facility, a feeding programme, second hand clothes, a white elephant shop, quite a large garden nursery and a craft shop.  The craft shop stocks many fantastic beaded and products made from recycled materials.  These are all made by people affected by Hiv/AIDS and provides them with a small income.  

The HACT wall of remembrance

I had a great 10 days at Vuleka, well looked after by Mary Robinson, the Director of Vuleka, whose husband Rev Andrew Robinson, interestingly did a pulpit swap with Rev Colin Duncan a few years back!

Adventures in Cape Town

On our first afternoon in Cape Town we made the pilgrimage up Table Mountain which is an absolute must.  The view right over Cape Town, to Robben Island is just amazing and breath taking.  It wasn't even as cold as we were told to expect...well I didnt think so!!

We met some of the dassies which roam freely over the mountain and down the sides.

 The view over Devils Rock out to Robben Island in the distance.

The Football stadium built for the World Cup in 2010

Feeling a long way from home!!!

On our second day in Cape Town we met with people who were family of a friend of Deborah's, they looked after us so well and treated us to a wonderful day.  Kerrie came and picked us up in the morning and drove us right round the coast which gave us a chance to see the beautiful coastline.  We went right round to Betty's Bay were we seen the African Penguins.

 Having a wee snooze in the sun!

 Amazingly the bigger puffy penguin here is actually the baby with all his fluffy baby feathers!

 The waves coming in to the coast were just fantastic... i certainly wouldn't want to be out there!  No wonder the boats in years gone by had problems getting round the tip of Africa!!

 Maybe this one thinks he's at the North Pole!!

When we left the Penguins, we were invited back to Kerrie and Gale's home for a homemade lunch - beautiful bread and soup - with their family.  One of their daughters lives in America so she and her children come back to SA during the summer months. Another daughter just lives out the back.  we had a great afternoon enjoying good conversation and company.  We then took a short dander to their local beach, which of course was just beautiful.

 Paddling in the tea river where it meets the Atlantic.

 Sunset from their upper deck.  Pringle bay is such a beautiful, unspoilt and quiet place, it must be a beautiful place to live.

Kerrie, Gale and their beautiful family.

 Kerrie then delivered us back to Cape Town and we watched the sun set over Table Mountain as we drove back along the coast.

 Our final day in Cape Town was spent on the hop on -hop off bus tour.  We spent some time in the Botanical gardens, passed a remnant of the countries Dutch history and spent some time at a vineyard.  we then stopped at Hout Bay a little fishing village - the Kilkeel of Cape Town!!  Here we had lunch then hopped back on the bus to follow the coast back home.  A short couple of days but we managed to pack quite a bit in...even some shopping to keep the other ladies happy !!  :)