Dumela (which means hello in Sesotho),
Today was our second day at the work place. We are building a home for a family that is in need of a new house. Yesterday when we arrived at the construction sight we were given the opportunity to see the home in which they live in now. It was honestly shocking. I grew up in a beautiful home with my family and my room was bigger than this woman’s entire home. She shares this home with her four kids and her brother. Today we continued to build up the walls and laid the entire foundation for the floor. This involved carrying lots of large rocks and shoveling for hours. We all worked really hard. It is important to remember that the longer we work, the sooner these people will be able to move into a new home.
In our meeting at the end of the day we discussed how amazing it is that the Bosotho people are so friendly and kind. They open their arms to us even though we are strangers. The children smile and laugh at just the sight of our bus coming their way. They run along side the bus and wait at the gate for us to come play. It is a reminder that happiness is not something we can buy. Happiness is something we get to choose. And even though these children have ripped clothes and sometimes no shoes, they are some of the happiest and lovable children I have ever known. It consumes your heart. We also talked in our meeting about how the image Americans have of African children is the sad, starving child. But we noticed and appreciated how these children each showed their own personality and shared with us the little that they had. Being with them reminded us that there is humanity in every person, everywhere, and that so often this is lost in stereotyped imagery.
At the end of the day, this trip is changing our lives.
From Carly: hey mom and dad. Love and miss you. Thank you so much for everything you have ever done for me. Your love to me is allowing me to love these children. I wouldn't have been able to do that without you.
From Kelsie: Hi mom! Hi dad! This trip is everything I imagined and more, thank you so much for always supporting me and helping make this a reality. This trip is changing me and allowing me to change the lives of others here. Im so thankful, I love you guys! Also, hi inky I miss you and love you too I cant wait to read the journal to you and love bear is with me 100% of the time.
Salla Hantle! (stay well)
-Kelsie Arlin and Carly Detar