South Africa

Roslyn Parker, Airline Ambassadors' Volunteer Participant Reports:

The Parker Family "Travels to do Good"

I was very fortunate to have my two adult children, Steven, 21 and Sherie, 23 to accompany me to South Africa.  As representatives of the Airline Ambassadors organization, we were very excited about our trip to South Africa. 

For my daughter who is a flight attendant, with United Airlines, as well as my son, this was their first trip to Africa.  The flight crew of South Africa Airways made our 15 hour journey that much more enjoyable.

When we arrived we were met at the airport by Silviya Simmonds, Airline Ambassador’s in country coordinator who helped us to get settled in our hotel and then briefed us on the projects we would visit. 

Silviya was a gracious hostess and planner extraordinaire.  Our first stop was to the Mpumelelo Creche (daycare) located in the Windmill Squatter Camp, just east of Johannesburg. 

Run by Maria Gaba, the crèche/daycare center currently has 48 children, many of whom are orphans because their parents have died of AIDS.   The day care is in dire need of improvement. 

Kathy Crider, an Airline Ambassador who

visited South Africa earlier in the year, is

currently raising funds for those

improvements. 

The creche’s makeshift roof leaks, resulting in muddy floors, especially during rainy season.  An area with a small stove serves that works on occasion, serves as the kitchen as well as the cafeteria. When we arrived we were greeted by the children who gave us big hugs and smiles.  The children were well behaved and sang in perfect harmony.  They sang a variety of songs, some of which we even knew.  Maria and her staff were very happy and grateful to see that our bags were full of crayons, pencils, coloring and activity books. We played and spent time passing out their afternoon snacks.  When it was time to go we really did not want to go - our only regret is that we could not stay longer.

In addition to running the day care, Maria a single mom of four children, is also Mother to 24 abandoned children who live with her in a tiny three bedroom home.  Many of the children have either been sexually or physically abused.  Some of the parents abandoned the children by leaving them at the day care center.  When that happens, Maria simply brings them home.  She does not think twice about it.   Maria says, “if their parents pass away, I have to take care of these children forever.”   One of the biggest challenges Maria has is making sure that there is enough food for the children to eat.  Some days the food is so scarce that there is only enough food for one meal a day. 

We knew that more than anything that buying groceries was a priority.  We purchased meats, canned goods, diary products and of course a few treats like cookies and ice cream.  In addition to the groceries, we also distributed donated clothing, shoes, board games, stationery, books, toiletries and sports equipment.  

Last stop, was our visit to Grant and Sharon’s, home of the non profit organization and children’s home Sinethemba.  Grant and Sharon are incredibly special people.  Several years ago, they gave up their comfortable suburban cushy lifestyle to become foster

parents to 24 children, ranging in age from

9 months to 19 years.  Grant and Sharon

also have four children of their own, two of

whom still live at home. 

They shared with us that there are months when things really get tight financially but somehow they are able to pull it through.  Many of the children at Sinethemba, like the children at Maria’s were abandoned because of abuse, AIDS or a variety of issues.   As part of our visit we also purchased groceries for dinner.  We had so much fun there.  All of the kids, including my son and daughter cooked dinner which consisted of spaghetti and salad.  It was a great evening.   Additionally, we also donated clothing, board games and toiletries.  

Our trip to South Africa was indeed a journey of a lifetime.  This trip enabled us to blend several wonderful service projects within our travel destination experiences in both Capetown and Johannesburg.  While there, we went on a safari, shopped, visited a winery and several historical sites, including Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent most of his time while in prison.  We also dined at some of the best restaurants that South Africa has to offer. 

However the best part of our trip was the time spent at Mpumelelo and Sinethemba.  For us the trip made us very humble and grateful, as it was experience that has changed our lives forever. 

Just last week we received thank you letters from Maria and the children. I have also spoken to Silviya and it appears that more blessings are showing up for Maria and her children.  Through the efforts of Siliviya and her friends in South Africa a project to expand Maria’s home is now underway.  And it is not a moment too soon, as there are several new children that Maria has welcomed into her home since our visit there in September.  

It is my hope and vision that the next time we will be able to help in a bigger way, to help create self sustaining projects for empowerment long after we leave. 

Until that time, we will continue to help in anyway that can.  Our lives are made better because of our time in South Africa.  We are thankful for the experience. 

Please visit Roslyn Parker's website "Travel to do Good"

for more about Roslyn's work and passions.

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