eSimphiwe fundraiser !!!!!

Sometimes I forget that it has been five years since we were in South Africa meeting and getting to know Owen and the wonderful country that is his. It seems like just yesterday that Daphne (Ouma) was teaching me how to make homemade baby food from fresh veggies, and how to do all of the parenting things that I thought I knew how to do until I actually became a parent. We spent three weeks of nap times getting to know each other and had deep conversations about her dream that was eSimphiwe. It is amazing to think that not long after those conversations it became reality, and now it is growing again.

I long to be there with her, and hear all of her wonderful ideas in person. She is a go getter and won't take no for an answer! I am so glad for that! When Owen was first being placed with her and she was told that he had cerebal palsy, or something similar. She did not accept that, she fought. She got him the care that he needed. He is healthy, and there are no signs that he ever had delays. She will fight for every baby the way she fought for Owen. She has, and she will continue to. She fought to have eSimphiwe in their neighborhood. She fought for that, so that her community could not turn their backs, and say that there is no problem. She is working with the entire community. She is looking at the future of these children, teenagers, and adults that come into contact with her daily, and she is doing what she can to make their lives better. To make their childrens lives better, and their grandchildrens lives better. She is looking at bringing light to HIV awareness. She is working towards a solution. I want to part of the solution, I need to be part of the solution. You can be part of the solution as well.

The pajama and underwear drive is going great! Thank you so much! We are still collecting! The word is spreading about eSimphiwe and pajamas and underwear are coming in from all over the globe. We are all so excited. Owen is excited.

We are taking it to the next level. Spread the word, talk about eSimphiwe, show them this blog. Pass it on. I know that I bring up lots of charity ideas on the blog. I know that many of you give to different charities throughout the year and especially at christmas money is tight. I am not saying do not give to them. Please do. Go through your childs Pj drawer. Do they have 1 extra pair? When you are at target, instead of buying a bag of candy, buy a pack of underwear. We have only a few packages of underwear. Daphne has told me that many of the children are not aware of what underwear are, because there are not enough to go around. Can you imagine?
Save your change for the week for eSimphiwe, then, be excited that doing something small, can make a difference. Be a part of the solution.

Owen and Thandi, Thandi helped care for Owen, and continues to work with babies at eSimphiwe.

Daphne (Owen's Oma) and Owen. Can you see the love!