Day 4
Monday morning saw Greg and Jane Courtney, Doug Fear and Alan, and John and Jonathan Thome, leave for home.
After a short delay, whilst we waited for Peter, a missionary working in the area, our 18 strong convoy headed for our next drop-off point:
Botsoela Pre- school. Meeting the teachers in their small but tidy classroom was a wonderful experience. All of us, but particularly the teachers in our group, were amazed at what little they had to work with. The school desks and chairs where constructed from various beverage cans, which had been securely wired together, with a wooden top.
Posters of nursery rhymes, stories, counting pictures, and prayers adorned the clean painted walls. Outside, vegetable gardens had been built, and every attempt was being made to look after the kids, with very few resources. It really makes one appreciate what our own kids have at home. It also opened our eyes as to other ways we can help.
We handed out the 40 blankets that had been allocated to these young children, who afterward stood together and sang in Sotho for us, and then recited the Lord’s Prayer in English!! It was hard to leave this little community without emptying our trucks to help a little more.
once again we took to the roads and another mountain pass
Our next stop was Sebelekoane School. Here, out of a total headcount of over 700 pupils, the headmistress had identified 42 very vulnerable orphans, of varying ages and who had lost both parents, to receive blankets. What was amazing was the discipline: a single instruction from the teacher and ALL the kids, neatly dressed in uniform, had lined up and were waiting patiently, whilst the names of the selected 42 were called out.
These kids then came forward in an organised fashion and received their blankets from the LCCSA men.
Jakes
Jan
They were most grateful and our men most humbled. The children of many of our schools, much more fortunate than they, could have learnt a whole lot about good manners and discipline from these learners.
We were then treated to a few songs by the entire school, the harmonies of which were so intrinsically African and wonderful to listen to. One of our kids recorded it and spent the next half an hour listening to the melodies over and over again on his mom’s cell phone!
Soon we were on the road again for the 165km journey to our next overnight stop at the campsite at Marakabei Lodge. After a quick lunch stop on the side of the road we hit the tar, and Roland and Petra Bergh took their leave of us.
The first real drama of the trip took place at Bushman’s pass. Because the brakes of the Caravan were not working properly Adrian’s Cruiser’s brakes failed on the descent. He managed to bring the Cruiser to a halt with some very skillful driving. With a few mountains still to negotiate, we split the convoy up, with 2 vehicles staying behind to assist Adrian with a slow, low-range descent of the remaining passes.
The rest of the convoy headed for Marakabei Lodge to set up camp and organise facilities for the late-comers. With pooled resources, dinner was organised for the back-up team, but none of us were more grateful than Lorraine Flack for a large tub of hot water to bath her baby who had spent a very long day in the car.
Within half an hour of arrival, the boys of the LCCSA, lead by Wade Bowman, had begun to strip and repair the caravan’s braking system. The teamwork and camaraderie in this type of situation is what this club is really all about. Soon the job was done, and Adrian and Lorraine were able to relax!
Once more the festivities around the campfire were enjoyed by all. Initially Adrian was again nominated for the Landrover cap, but his very skilful driving and handling of his rig redeemed himself and he was unanimously pardoned! The Presiding Officer HIMSELF, “Jou Honour Mr. Boardman” was instantly voted as the next recipient. It was he himself who had to admit to attempting to roll-start his vehicle without the ignition being switched on!!!!!!
