Victoria's November News

So with November fast approaching, I thought it may be time for to send out the latest news!

I am typing one handed as my other arm has half a cast on it! A week ago I fell at Inhamizua with the boys, I knew I had cut and bruised my elbow because it started to bleed, however over the weekend it got more painful, and on Monday went to the police hospital – the only way I can describe the hospital is like something out of Heartbeat! I saw someone who prescribed some tablets! Over the week it just hasn’t improved so on Thursday went to a clinic and had an x-ray – fortunately it isn’t broken, just damage inside, because of my lack of movement and the pain the doctor has said it would be better to support my arm for a week – I am hoping it will only be on for a week! Poor Berenice has turned into dresser and hairdresser for me, she didn’t expect this I am sure!!

The boys too have been great at helping me and looking after me! In fact yesterday they were discussing who was going to give me my tablets because others had already had a turn!

This last week has also been frustrating, going to different places to prove who I am so I can try to open a bank account here – there still no guarantee, I can find out next week, but I am not holding out much hope – meanwhile I am still waiting for HSBC to sort some cards out for me to have here!

The boys are great – obviously there are moments with them but that’s kids! The number of my sons has grown, and you often hear “mum.......” and it’s usually something they want or more recently “mum, fight” because they know I don’t like fighting!!!!

The boys are a lot more affectionate we have gone from high fives, to blowing kisses, to hugs and kisses – it is lovely because it is through all the ages as well, when we leave which is more often in the evening now we get kiss or hug goodbye and “Sweet dreams”!

The schools finished this weekend for holidays – some of the boys have exams the first week of November, but we have got everyone there all the time now! Which will be good, but we will also need to be better organised at our activities!

We are hoping to arrange a trip to the beach in the next couple of weeks – I will give more details after the event!

The morning and afternoon snacks are going well – we try to have fruit in the morning and biscuits and juice in the afternoon – the boys are appreciative, although will always want biscuits!! We are heading for Mango season which we are all looking forward too!

At Dondo we have been able to place more children back into their family settings which is good, one boy also left from Inhamizua, while it is good for them it is sad to see them go, and also sad for their friends, Helio was so upset when his best friend left he sat on my lap and cried himself to sleep, all I could do for him was cuddle him but what a privilege!

YWAM Beira has a car!! This has proved invaluable with the reintegration process, purchasing things we need and for everyday use!! I must take a photo of it!!

The other day Oliveira turned up after dinner with his laptop and we all sat out and watched a movie, it was so much fun and the kids loved it! This is something we are hoping to do more often!

Recently the boys and I have been having a bit of a joke because some are not showering as much as they should be! “Mum, Kleyton never showers” is the usual remark so the other day with a little encouragement from me Monteiro got a bowl of water and threw it over him! The boys thought it was great and splashed each other a bit, however the next thing I know two of the older boys came towards me with 2 buckets of water, I couldn’t get away and I was soaked, pretty soon some others joined in, the thought it was great, the people who didn’t want to get wet sat and watched!! The time came for me to stop it all. I was absolutely soaking – Arquilino came up to me gave me a big hug and said “Good girl Mum, that was good” as I climbed into the boot of the car, too wet to sit in the seats, I thought this is what makes memories and as we left everyone was smiling and laughing, it really was great fun!

Now the irony is I can’t shower as I would like to, which the boys think is hilarious!!!

Mareliho (Oliveira and Angelica’s daughter) is a delight, she is always so happy and when you are feeling a bit down she cheers you up – I am very fortunate to be staying here, it’s lovely.

So the month of October personally has not been the best for me what with sickness, purse stolen, falling, no money and an arm in a cast but when I am with the boys everything seems so worthwhile and I love it here!

Thank you all for your continued support and interest