Clinical Training and Vsiting the Children

This morning found us in Soweto for our clinical presentations to the staff at that location. The participation was fantastic. The room was literally standing room only. The topics of Building the Team, Children's Bereavement, Caregiver Burnout and Resilience were well received. Just as back at home, we struggled with getting the technology to function, but ultimately found the right connection.

The afternoon was spent with the children at the daycare center check out the pictures. They tell the whole story.

David

Warm Welcome

What a wonderful first day with our sister Hospice. All four of us were welcomed with a breakfast and warm greetings at Houghton and a tour of the Inpatient unit at Houghton...a tour of all of the incredible resale shops  and then an emotional welcome of music and dance, lunch and tour of Soweto Hospice. They loved the scrapbooks that you put together..thanks for working so hard on them!! We have found that our mutual love for Hospice and our patients provides an immediate connection.  - Deb

We're famous (well, inside in Soweto office)

Today while we were roaming around the Soweto office we saw our pictures on their notice (bulletin) board. Not only was our picture posted on top of a hand made American flag; they also included our biographies, a count down of the number of days until we arrived, and encouragement for the staff to look for us and seek us out. We all chuckled about our new found fame... (better than having a wanted poster with our names and pictures. I'm including a copy of pictures for you to see. It was hard to get a really close image without a glare so you'll have to take our word for it too!

Stacy

Off to South Africa

On Saturday, February 5th, we left to visit our sister hospice. Here's a picture of us looking nice and refreshed, eager to start our adventure. We took this picture before our plan left Washington DC. 18 hours later and 7 hours ahead of EST, we arrived in Johannesburg, tired and excited (no pictures taken!). We were met at the airport by Jacqui Kaye and Christine Warner, two of our hosts. We all went to our hosts' homes, had a light bite to eat and got in bed by 10:00 pm Johannesburg time. Our bodies are still adjusting to the travel and time zone changes so none of us slept through the night. Hopefully tonight will be much better.

I'll publish another post later sharing highlights of today, our first day. If each day is as good as today was, this will be a spectacular trip.

Stacy

Our day in Soweto

What a great day today was! We started out this morning at the Houghton office (Jo-berg) where we were greeted by the staff. We had a chance to have a light breakfast with them and to chat informally. After a brief tour of their offices, we left to see all 11 (that's right, 11) of Hospice Wit's resale shoppes. Lunchtime brought us to Soweto, where we were greeted by the Sisters, Community Care Workers, HIV Day Care patients, and office staff. Dressed in their tribal clothing, they met us on their driveway and greeted us with joyful songs. As we entered the building, the staff continued singing all the way through the building to the meeting room. After lunch together, the staff shared gifts with us and sang to us again. None of us were able to take pictures of this as the four of us were so caught up in the moment. Truth be told- we probably wouldn't have been able to focus a picture as our eyes were quite full. What a moment...

We came back to our hosts' homes late afternoon for a bit of relaxation prior to dinner and then (hopefully) a full night's sleep. Tomorrow we start at 8 am, with a half day training at Soweto, lunch, and then a visit to Mapetla (daycare center).

More stories to come later.

Stacy