SonShine Care Group, Aberdeen

26/01/2025

Another hot day here in Aberdeen, and our children are enjoying the water (borehole), the grass, and play area.....but outside our gate it is a different story.
Hungry children, asking for food...any food...from leftovers to pap to bread.....anything. Clothes in rags, often odd shoes, if they have any. And can they please play? There are such needs, so much potential not reached, so many broken children, with no parental attachments....so many children who know that they are unloved, not worth anything to anybody.
I don't understand. Where are those who know and love Jesus? In Matthew 25 He tells the parable of the 10 virgins and the wedding feast, about spiritual growth. And at the end of chapter 25 He speaks of a life of serving others as a requirement for His life. And yet, we have a house full of those children in need, and long for help.

08/01/2025

I wanted to keep this separate from my last post, so here it is.....
I cannot understand or accept the apathy that is shown toward the hungry and needy here in this town, of course I'm focusing on children. People moan and complain about children coming onto the town from the townships, as they are just "trouble". If people could understand the neglect and the horror the children face daily, would they care? I don't know.
Jesus tells us that if we want to save our lives we will lose them, but if we will lose our lives for His sake, we will save them. So for the believers who read this, what does it mean for you to lose your life for His sake. Do you own your own life, or does He? What if He tells you to give all....time, energy, dreams, entitlements to Him, to use with the marginalized and oppressed, to be where He is.
Makes you think, doesn't it....

08/01/2025

So here I was, trying to sew pencil cases...and I was climbed on so that not only could they watch the machine, but so that they could turn any k***s or dials they could reach. I managed to finish 2, but I need about 12.... Quite a job. But when I hand out pencils, pens, glue, etc, they must be put straight into the pencil case. So why don't I just buy? Two main reasons....the expense is horrendous, and the children feel loved and special when they have a home made pencil case.

01/01/2025

So 2024 is past, and we want to thank all of those who have supported us financially, with prayers, and with other donations...we always feel so thankful and blessed that people are thinking of us. And now we look ahead to this new year, what does it bring? There are some things we know....4 teenagers in the hostel and school in Graaff Reinet, 2 or most likely 3 in the preschool in Graaff Reinet, which means we must find transport....either us or someone else, to get them there and back daily. And then 6 in different schools here in Aberdeen. Yes, the house is bursting at the seams. Our car is a 5 seater - we need a van!!!
The stationary needs are massive, so I have been comparing prices in the different stores, and just the logistics are mind blowing....for example, all preschool supplies must be named....each crayon or pencil.... How do the girls know which socks belong to who? I certainly don't have time to label , so I have given this task to the girls to sort out. Lunch boxes....drink bottles....back packs....all needed.
This could be overwhelming, but our Father has not let us down yet, not at all during the 7 years we have been here. My favourite verse..." when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Just a montage of recent photos...

23/12/2024

Midday today I quickly drove down to our local Superette......well, it had been payday for some, and the alcohol was flowing. The sidewalk drains (sloot), next to the shop were filled with people drinking even though they were obviously drunk. Children were running through the people, and dogs were mating next to them.
I wonder how these children will in future times will describe Christmas...certainly not a time of great joy. I wonder whether they will even get a meal on Christmas day.

19/12/2024

We are meant to be retired, and in fact it is Gordon's 72 birthday today. How did he start the day? Well, he started with cleaning and changing the nappy of the toddler....
We are feeding so many, both those who stay here and those who come to get some food.
And then there is the 17 year old who comes for food. He has no birth certificate, no support - he is staying with a friend who is just as "broken", he has dropped out of school. I chased him into the shower, washed his clothes, and lent him nail clippers. will once again try to get help from the social workers, and magistrate court.
Yes, we are busy, but these "busy" activities will have an effect into eternity....

17/12/2024

There are so many things here that I refuse to accept as normal, to close my eyes (and mouth) to....
Do I lower what I see as acceptable, because what happens is their business, and I shouldn't interfere? No, I can't.
It is unacceptable that the 3 year old plays "strangling" her friend..we all know where she learnt it.
It is not ok that a baby is carried on a drunk woman's back, so that when she falls over, she lands on the baby.
And so I can go on and on with what I see. But the problem that shouts to me, is that the majority of people close their eyes to it, and the majority do not say "enough!!" Only when someone has the courage to report to the police, and they bother to document it, and follow up, does a slow dance begin to maybe/possibly unravel the problem....
I cannot lower my belief in what is normal or acceptable.

12/12/2024

And so we are back to nappies and potty training.....he is 2-3, and I'm not sure how long he will be here with his 2 sisters. But he is a joy and pleasure.
So hot today....some of the boys had lunch in the pool. They all munched on cut carrots, cucumber and sandwiches. (Oh, I am always preparing food.)
We have the lawns, the pool, fans, iced water, and are just so thankful for all this.

10/12/2024

What can I say....1,000 children dead of malnutrition over 2 years...
Comments blame the parents, the government....but no one works at a solution.
It is less than a week since allpay, and little children come asking for food. They will eat whatever we give.
We were blessed by a donation of instant pap from Mark vir die Huisvrou in Graaff Reinet, and we can share that with hungry children.
We are blessed by financial support, and without this we would not be able to help these children.
It is never the child's fault that they are hungry, their circumstances are sometimes unimaginable.

More than 1,000 children have died of severe acute malnutrition in SA in the past two yearsIn a heartbreaking revelation, Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that over 1,000 children have succumbed to severe acute malnutrition in South Africa within the past two years, underlining....

06/12/2024

Christmas is coming, and we were gifted with some money to buy "something for the kids".... "Christmas clothes" were on the list for all, with the older girls choosing what and where to each buy some clothes. The littlies just wanted something new... So here the littlies are proudly and very pleased showing off their outfits.
And now the 2 girls' little brother is here...firstly for the day, and now the night...not sure for how long.

27/11/2024

Over the last two weeks, we have received some wonderful gifts.....makes us feel so blessed...
My friend Sunny came for a visit from Germany, and brought gorgeous wooden blocks, amongst other things. The children love them.
Over the last few years our towels have decreased at an alarming rate....and we received some bags with adult clothing and towels, which will tide us over till we can get more.
And then my yearly supply of Anchor Yeast arrived, which allows me to share with others in the community.
All just lovely!!

23/11/2024

Summer is here, and after playing in the sprinkler the last few days, the pool is out, fixed, filled and in use. What fun!!
For most children in the townships there is not even a guarantee of running water.....no grass....no shade....
All children deserve the best....

23/11/2024

This is the wonderful early childhood centre our 2 littlies will attend next year. How will we daily get them there and back? Not sure yet.
In New Zealand a centre such as this is taken for granted, with funded hours....but here that is not so. So the children who really, really need it miss out. For the 99.9% there is no money for fees, for transport or for needed supplies.
Every child deserves the best.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057221179026

We are a fun and dynamic play-based learning centre.

10/11/2024

Another year has passed, and it was time for the littlies birthday party....with one on the 3rd, and one on the 6th, we share the day.
Such fun was had blowing balloons, making popcorn, icing cakes, and making pizzas....and before we knew it, everything was eaten.
Annerika is loving her pop beads, and MJ his battery drill and building set.
Just a montage of photos.

06/11/2024

I often don't even go to the gate after 6pm, as all children should be home....but two men terribly hungry were standing there. In between helping MJ in the bath, and sorting out some raisins for the three girls, I defrosted some bread and quickly made some jam sandwiches for them. He pushed it as fast as he could into his mouth as I stood there, he was just so hungry, and once again I thought to myself that the only hunger I truly knew was when I used to diet, and so this hunger was easily remedied.
Imagine going to bed so hungry, imagine trying to find work when all you want is food. I just don't know.

09/10/2024

After ten noisy, very busy and tiring days, the beautiful 6 month baby has gone with her mother to stay with extended family. Everyone deserves a second chance, to have mercy shown, and that is what this little family has received.

03/10/2024

Parenting is not easy, and one tends to parent as we were parented. It took quite a few years for me to realise that I could choose to change my way of doing things, which I did. But still, I saw my mother in so many of the ways I did things. Change is not easy, it needs work. It starts by questioning what we do and why we do it that way.
I see young people here following in their parent's footsteps, both for good and bad. How must they learn to be a "good mum" when what they see in the home and in the community is anything but good. Of course I am mainly talking about alcohol drinking and domestic violence. Should we blame the young mum for not knowing any better when she has never seen anything better? Or should we wrap around her and help her be the best mum that she can grow into?

01/10/2024

Children are so precious....not easy having a baby in the house...again...but worth it to be available to help. Little Annerika is of course playing mommie, while the other littlies mainly ignore her. And we thought we were busy before. ...