Heya, today we were up early and we went to the main MylifE office in Greenpoint, where we met up with Linzi for the first time since London. We basically just talked about the whole project and aims and then the jacobs brothers arrived, whos garden will be host to our teepee building work!
Then came the interesting part, where two of the young men that have been through the mylife process came up to the office and the seven of us sat down and just chatted about their experiences and interests. They'd both been shot at, done shootings, served a lot of time in prison, broken into cars and much more during their time on the streets, but they were brilliant examples of just how much the organisation can do for these kids. Several others arrived and we talked to them as well, organising a football match which is happening tomorrow afternoon.
The most shocking thing about today was this evening. Linzi and Phil took us out in the land rover and we drove for about 45 minutes around the streets. Linzi, who knows all 1000 of the street children around cape town, pointed out maybe about 10 or 15 kids and explained their situations, which included us seeing a little 12 year old girl who was standing on the roadside, trying to sell herself for money to fund the drug habit that all of these street kids are part of. We then stopped and got out and talked to the girl pictured above. She had just taken cocaine and linzi bought her and her friend some corn flakes and milk. Linzi opened them straight away so that the kids couldnt just go and sell them on for money, something that the kids objected to. They were obviously just gonna use the money for drugs.
We've got lots quite moving video footage that will be up on youtube soon, so keep an eye out for links. Until tomorrow. Max
2 comments:
Heya guys- so now it all starts for real! You'll probably all feel differently about corn flakes next time you open a box...we're all thinking of you and watching each morsel you stick up here so keep it coming! Have a great day...lol Claire (Mum!)
Guys
Well done for yesterday. The more you experience the more you understand.
The girl in this picture's name is Megan, she has been on the streets since she was 8 years old, she is now the mother of 4 tiny tots, who have all been taken away from her!!!She has gone through a horrendous time on the streets and is addicted to crack cocaine, as are all the young people you met last night.
Tonight we have a different experience thank you to our Peter du Toit from Soccer Laduma and Vodacom. We will be watching Tottenhum Hotspurs being beaten by our very own Orlando Pirates. You will get the experience what 2010 will be about - bring earplugs.
xx
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