Update: November 6, 2005
GGA letter the seventh
Cato Ridge, KNZ 3680
Republic of South Africa
6 November, 2005
(Patrick & Heather, founders of GGA, pictured left)
Here's a picture of GGA founders, Patrick and Heather. I wanted you to see the people who have put all of this together for the children.
As for me, I'm sitting this afternoon at my computer under the thatch. A grand thunderstorm is roaring outside. The sky seems so big here, and the storms are just as advertised. They shake the walls while lightening flashes all around. Then they skip along, trailing a rainbow. I really enjoy them as long as I'm not going out, but I find the children are quite frightened and I suspect superstitious.
We had one storm during Reading Club the other night, and all of a sudden I realized the chairs were getting closer and closer until I was really surrounded. I wished I were reading a spooky story!
I was planning to discuss Oprah's involvement at GGA in this week's letter. I think I told some of you that when I first arrived here, a group of older girls questioned me about whether I knew Oprah and if she had given me clothes. Of course, my answer to both questions was, "no." The information about when Oprah first visited KZN and GGA is a little sketchy. She was definitely here in December 2003 and had been in Cape Town for an Aids Benefit Jazz Concert. I was in South Africathen too. She taped a Christmas show in KZN that I have never seen, although many people have told me about it. I was not even sure it involved GGA, but it did. If I would see it now, I'm sure I would recognize some faces.
When I questioned GGA's director concerning Oprah's involvement here I found that it was very complicated and not close to being as encompassing as I had been lead to believe. Further more, at this time GGA does not even consider the Oprah organizations as being major contributors to the nearly $2,000,000 budget, and then I was reminded of the GGA confidentiality agreement. I'm sure they hope that Oprah will be more involved here in the future. I don't think I would get into trouble telling you that she pays the milk bill for each child to receive ½ cup of milk per day, has purchased several transportation vehicles including a 55 passenger bus and pays the tuition for several children to attend Heritage Academy in Pietermaritzbug.
So, where does the majority of the money come from to support GGA? I was told that a single donor, a friend of GGA in the U.K. contributes about 60% of the budget, while individual donors and sponsors contribute the balance. And I thought this was fun. She told me that in 2005, the gifts from the Bloomington/Normal community for a new library accounted for more in donations than Oprah did.
Well, my work here is quietly winding down. I've been checking the shelves and straightening things up. I work each day with Ines who is to replace me and I'm starting to prepare the children for my leaving. Reading Club has ended for now. I hauled out the suitcases today and started to sort out a few things. Now, that's a job! The rest of this week I'm being treated to dinner-out several times. I can't wait. Cheese and peanut butter is getting a little old.
Next weekend several staff members and friends are going down the South coast for a get away. It's an area I've never visited. Then on the 9th I'm celebrating the opening of the library with a "Sundowner", on the veranda of the library, complete with wine and finger foods - GGA style.
The view from there is spectacular any time of the day, but at sun down it's glorious. Of course the Veranda needs a little work before the 9th. Right now, in addition to mud, water, old hospice cribs and hospital carts, it has the odd shoe, discarded dolly and misc. trash. I'll need to get busy.
Wednesday I have a final conference with Heather for a little evaluation and discussion of the future. Then on the 16th I'll be flying out of Johannesburg. I'll be arriving in time to help granddaughter, Emmy, celebrate her 12th birthday. Happy Birthday, Em.
As a special celebration one of my roommates, Christina, is treating me to a day at a game park that is in the area. It is called "Tala." We'll start the day with a Bush Walk, then a special luncheon, followed by a driving Safari in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to this very Africa day.
Thanks again to all of you who helped me accomplish this great thing.
Go well and Siyabonga... Dorothy
I can be contacted at:dkenne2 @ ilstu.edu
011 27 084 926 9906
Cato Ridge, KNZ 3680
Republic of South Africa
6 November, 2005
(Patrick & Heather, founders of GGA, pictured left)
Here's a picture of GGA founders, Patrick and Heather. I wanted you to see the people who have put all of this together for the children.
As for me, I'm sitting this afternoon at my computer under the thatch. A grand thunderstorm is roaring outside. The sky seems so big here, and the storms are just as advertised. They shake the walls while lightening flashes all around. Then they skip along, trailing a rainbow. I really enjoy them as long as I'm not going out, but I find the children are quite frightened and I suspect superstitious.
We had one storm during Reading Club the other night, and all of a sudden I realized the chairs were getting closer and closer until I was really surrounded. I wished I were reading a spooky story!
I was planning to discuss Oprah's involvement at GGA in this week's letter. I think I told some of you that when I first arrived here, a group of older girls questioned me about whether I knew Oprah and if she had given me clothes. Of course, my answer to both questions was, "no." The information about when Oprah first visited KZN and GGA is a little sketchy. She was definitely here in December 2003 and had been in Cape Town for an Aids Benefit Jazz Concert. I was in South Africathen too. She taped a Christmas show in KZN that I have never seen, although many people have told me about it. I was not even sure it involved GGA, but it did. If I would see it now, I'm sure I would recognize some faces.
When I questioned GGA's director concerning Oprah's involvement here I found that it was very complicated and not close to being as encompassing as I had been lead to believe. Further more, at this time GGA does not even consider the Oprah organizations as being major contributors to the nearly $2,000,000 budget, and then I was reminded of the GGA confidentiality agreement. I'm sure they hope that Oprah will be more involved here in the future. I don't think I would get into trouble telling you that she pays the milk bill for each child to receive ½ cup of milk per day, has purchased several transportation vehicles including a 55 passenger bus and pays the tuition for several children to attend Heritage Academy in Pietermaritzbug.
So, where does the majority of the money come from to support GGA? I was told that a single donor, a friend of GGA in the U.K. contributes about 60% of the budget, while individual donors and sponsors contribute the balance. And I thought this was fun. She told me that in 2005, the gifts from the Bloomington/Normal community for a new library accounted for more in donations than Oprah did.
Well, my work here is quietly winding down. I've been checking the shelves and straightening things up. I work each day with Ines who is to replace me and I'm starting to prepare the children for my leaving. Reading Club has ended for now. I hauled out the suitcases today and started to sort out a few things. Now, that's a job! The rest of this week I'm being treated to dinner-out several times. I can't wait. Cheese and peanut butter is getting a little old.
Next weekend several staff members and friends are going down the South coast for a get away. It's an area I've never visited. Then on the 9th I'm celebrating the opening of the library with a "Sundowner", on the veranda of the library, complete with wine and finger foods - GGA style.
The view from there is spectacular any time of the day, but at sun down it's glorious. Of course the Veranda needs a little work before the 9th. Right now, in addition to mud, water, old hospice cribs and hospital carts, it has the odd shoe, discarded dolly and misc. trash. I'll need to get busy.
Wednesday I have a final conference with Heather for a little evaluation and discussion of the future. Then on the 16th I'll be flying out of Johannesburg. I'll be arriving in time to help granddaughter, Emmy, celebrate her 12th birthday. Happy Birthday, Em.
As a special celebration one of my roommates, Christina, is treating me to a day at a game park that is in the area. It is called "Tala." We'll start the day with a Bush Walk, then a special luncheon, followed by a driving Safari in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to this very Africa day.
Thanks again to all of you who helped me accomplish this great thing.
Go well and Siyabonga... Dorothy
I can be contacted at:dkenne2 @ ilstu.edu
011 27 084 926 9906
posted by Dorothy Kennett | 3:17 PM
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