There has been a lot happening here, and we have all been kept on our toes! We are undergoing a lot of new renovations. A couple cottages that some of our families are living in are being renovated to accommodate the size of the family. Our landscaping projects are just booming and Refilwe is looking absolutely gorgeous. New trees, plants, grass, and flowers are being planted all over the property and it is just stunning. We have officially begun building the new short-term volunteer block. For now, it is being built with 10 rooms that will have a bunk bed in each, a couple bathrooms and a small kitchen. So by the time our group volunteers start showing up, we will be able to house 20 of them. In time we will add a second story replicating the first so we can house 40! This way, with so many volunteers and groups coming through May-October, we will be able to house them together, even overlap some groups which we have not been able to do due to lack of space. In the meantime, I am the photographer that is constantly keeping track of the progress of everything. It's a lot of fun and I am incredibly busy with everything!
The Tap classes are still going great! We have started learning dances that the kids will perform at a Talent Show i am organizing in May. It's been so much fun. Because of the renovations, we had to move the classes out of the gym and into the hall which gives us A LOT of space and even a stage to practice on! The girl's meeting I was running on Friday nights has been opened up to all the teenagers. It's a place where they can come and just talk, ask questions with total confidentiality. They are also being educated by me about something different every week. Last week was the effects of alcohol on the body, this week, more alcohol and marijuana. There will be lots of talks and information on these Fridays and I appreciate so much that I have been able to put this together. I think it's really important for them to have somewhere to vent and ask questions you may not want to ask Mom.
Refilwe has recently been blessed beyond belief. A woman who works for GUESS watches has a special connection and heart for Refilwe. Every year, GUESS supports a non-profit organization. She nominated Refilwe and guess what? WE GOT IT! Oh yes, and we just learned that we are not going to get the profits from just GUESS watches, but everything GUESS! I will update you on the details of this but this is absolutely HUGE for us and means that we will be able to begin different projects, like a playground and playroom for the kids by the end of the year. Tomorrow a videographer from GUESS will come by to take some footage of the work we do here- Sewing classes, computer classes, homework, the Preschool, etc. I will keep you posted about this but I must say thank you for the prayers and keep them coming. We are overwhelmed with joy and excitement about this.
