The McCarty's Adventures: May 2010

(Just like Erin is carrying Claire, Kim has carried me...hypothetically of course!)
My dear friend is leaving. Another American here on our SA journey is saying Good Bye! Kim and her family have been such a huge part of our lives here, it is amazing the bonds that we have created in the short time we have been here. She has served as such a support system for me; someone who understands the sadness of being so far away and someone who understands the heartache of having a child with special needs.
Kim, I will miss you more than you will ever know!
(This is the best pic I could find...shows Kim giving advice to newly pregnant friend Kristie, as she so often does)

Group shot of kids at local resort!

Good bye my sweet friend!

Taylor and Hunter with a truck full of books!

Pat recently had an opportunity to help out this country that we live in; which needs it so desperately! Through work they where given the opportunity to participate in "Rally for Reading", a local gentleman has started this program here in South Africa. Basically through donations, they provide some needed schools with books and even some with computers.
Pat was able to take our boys, Taylor and Hunter. What an experience! They left on a Friday, and spent the weekend with the team! They visited two schools in a very rural area, delivered the goods and spent some time with the children!
Both schools welcomed them with open arms and ceremonies!
The following descriptions are from Taylor, age 12.
The first school was much better off than the second; the community has rallied around this school. The mommas encourage the children, and the fathers help out with security....How normal, you say? No, unfortunately many of the schools here in South Africa do not function this way and the children usually have no parental support. The children are usually lucky just to be able to afford or get a uniform to go to school. At first this school seemed OK, but after the visit to the second school...the first school was much better off.
The second school had holes in the roof, the preschool room also served as a garden shed and kitchen. On windy days, the teachers take the children outside in fear of the walls falling.
After the presentation of the books, and a tour of the school the kids got to play with the school children. There where 5 kids in this group, so to be able to go outside and interact with the kids was so important. In Taylor's words.."Kid's should not take anything for granted, these kids play soccer with a popped ball." They played soccer together, took pictures. The school children loved seeing the kids(some had never seen a white child before), one school was chanting "Hunter" as the cars pulled away!
I was unable to go on this trip, but I know that it moved my kids! They where so proud of being able to help, in fact the last night on the trip they had the opportunity to give a speech. Both boys willingly spoke of their experience; as a mom I hope that they carry this forever! Not only do the children who where visited gain, but my boys gained! What? They gained a love for the unfortunate, a love for helping; and the insight to know they have MUCH better!
I often get sad to be away from home and experience the things that are going on there, but then I listen to my boys retelling these stories and look at these pictures....and I know I am raising children that may make a difference. Children that have been witnesses to injustice, but have been given the tools to help! Then I think... what school book could teach this?
Cars loaded and ready to deliver!