Playground at Sparrow
posted by Marie McGee @ 8:16 PM
1 Comments
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
A letter to a bereaved mother
Sparrows AIDS Orphanage and Hospice- South Africa--July 2006
--------A Letter to A Bereaved Mother
This blog will be a bit different as I am enclosing a letter I just wrote to a caregiver, a teacher and a bereaved mother from Sparrows Village, on the death of her son just hours ago.
Dear Gladys,
I am writing this to you as I sit with your son while awaiting the undertaker to come and take his body.
My heart is breaking for you and your loss. I pray you will feel God’s love and comfort in your soul and know the peace that only He can give at this time.
On Friday, as I walked down the hall of the hospice, I felt drawn to your sons bedside. When I found out he was your dear son, I understood why.
I spent time at his bedside on Friday and Saturday ,though I doubt he understood who I was, as his oxygen saturation was very low even with oxygen on.
He spoke to me in ½ English and ½ Zulu and smiled when I told him he looked just like you.He said in Zulu”I am tired of being in bed and want to sit outside in the sun”(translated by a caregiver). I ask Sister Ana but she said perhaps tomorrow,so I opened the curtains and let in the sunshine and he said”thank you”
At one point he reached up with his hand and cupped my face very tenderly. I smiled and did the same to him. He then said ”my sister”. I don,t know if he was referring to his sister or calling me” his sister”,but it was a “holy” moment.
Gladys, I don’t believe in putting my spiritual beliefs onto someone else, so the only thing I said to him was “God loves you, so rest peacefully”
Last night I ask Sister if she would have someone knock on the door if he became worse(I now live in the motor home), but I guess she was unable to as I did not hear of his death until this morning.I do not blame Sister for not waking me but I do blame myself for not sitting with him through the night. I have ask God’s forgiveness, your sons forgiveness and I also ask yours.
As soon as I heard I went to his bedside and prayed for him until they came for his body. Corine, also, came in while I was there and said a prayer.
. I wish I had a lot of money, but perhaps this small amount will help you. You have been so kind, gracious, and helpful to me from the first day I arrived from America and I am very grateful.
May the Lord bless you and comfort you and give you peace.
(Nurse) Marie McGee
PS "Sister" is what the Charge Nurses are called
I also had the opportunity to spend quality time with a 9 yr. old named Abigail, who is in isolation as the (hopefully) last chicken pox victim. She is in a room all by herself and these children are never alone. So I brought her some books and we spent happy times reading about Indians and Lady and the tramp etc. I've been blessed by her gentle spirit.
--------A Letter to A Bereaved Mother
This blog will be a bit different as I am enclosing a letter I just wrote to a caregiver, a teacher and a bereaved mother from Sparrows Village, on the death of her son just hours ago.
Dear Gladys,
I am writing this to you as I sit with your son while awaiting the undertaker to come and take his body.
My heart is breaking for you and your loss. I pray you will feel God’s love and comfort in your soul and know the peace that only He can give at this time.
On Friday, as I walked down the hall of the hospice, I felt drawn to your sons bedside. When I found out he was your dear son, I understood why.
I spent time at his bedside on Friday and Saturday ,though I doubt he understood who I was, as his oxygen saturation was very low even with oxygen on.
He spoke to me in ½ English and ½ Zulu and smiled when I told him he looked just like you.He said in Zulu”I am tired of being in bed and want to sit outside in the sun”(translated by a caregiver). I ask Sister Ana but she said perhaps tomorrow,so I opened the curtains and let in the sunshine and he said”thank you”
At one point he reached up with his hand and cupped my face very tenderly. I smiled and did the same to him. He then said ”my sister”. I don,t know if he was referring to his sister or calling me” his sister”,but it was a “holy” moment.
Gladys, I don’t believe in putting my spiritual beliefs onto someone else, so the only thing I said to him was “God loves you, so rest peacefully”
Last night I ask Sister if she would have someone knock on the door if he became worse(I now live in the motor home), but I guess she was unable to as I did not hear of his death until this morning.I do not blame Sister for not waking me but I do blame myself for not sitting with him through the night. I have ask God’s forgiveness, your sons forgiveness and I also ask yours.
As soon as I heard I went to his bedside and prayed for him until they came for his body. Corine, also, came in while I was there and said a prayer.
. I wish I had a lot of money, but perhaps this small amount will help you. You have been so kind, gracious, and helpful to me from the first day I arrived from America and I am very grateful.
May the Lord bless you and comfort you and give you peace.
(Nurse) Marie McGee
PS "Sister" is what the Charge Nurses are called
I also had the opportunity to spend quality time with a 9 yr. old named Abigail, who is in isolation as the (hopefully) last chicken pox victim. She is in a room all by herself and these children are never alone. So I brought her some books and we spent happy times reading about Indians and Lady and the tramp etc. I've been blessed by her gentle spirit.
posted by Marie McGee @ 6:20 AM
1 Comments
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Freedom Day- -Youth Day!!!!
What a week! Friday was a holiday celebrated by all south Africans, but specifically for the children. Freedom Day remembers 30 years ago when the youth rebelled against the oppression of apartheid and schooling which controlled exactly what they learned and didn’t learn..
I re-saw a movie I had seen years ago starring Whoopie Goldberg called “Sarafina”. Which tells, in a musical form, one view of this struggle. I did not appreciate the movie at the time I saw it but now I see the struggle thru very different eyes.
Do yourself a favour and rent it, as it has been redigitalized and is quite moving.
The older girls sang all the songs, both South African and from the soundtrack. It made for a full South African experience.
The assessments were quite intense this week, as Corine included a thorough examination. I found several children with anal warts, which indicate either past or(hopefully not) present sexual abuse. So sad but so true. We do treat such abuse both physically but, more importantly, psychologically. These wonderful children, with smiles to melt your heart, deserve neither the abuse nor the HIV+ status that often accompanies the abuse
I learned a lot this week, such as to take runny noses seriously when a child is on antiviral meds, as a cold can quickly go into a pneumonia. I also learned how resilient these lovely children are and how easily they share with each other
The two little ones that I would easily sneak into my suitcase are both named Simon, though the 3 yr. old goes by Sufundo (I originally thought it was Mufundo) . The 2 yr.. o ld Simon has been on ART (HIV cocktail) for two weeks now and we are beginning to see some improvement. In the past they have treated the TB first, followed by the HIV tx. , but since we have recently lost several babies it was decided to switch the approach with Simon. The idea is to build up his immune system so he can better fight the TB. Today he had a runny nose so Corine will follow it up since he is on antivirals(note the previous paragraph-smile)
A cd of pics has been made and sent to Carolyn and Carol .Hopefully one of my talented friends will be able to upload a few choice pics for you all to see.
The “Vanderbilts”(not completely true as Jenny goes to Princeton) leave this Thursday for the states. It will be strange without their amazing youthful energy.
They have included me in Kruger Park and shopping, as well as taught me more about this computer than I ever wanted to know-smile.
All for now, my friends. So much to do to prepare for AIDS Clinic tomorrow.
Freedom and Blessings to you all,
Marie
What a week! Friday was a holiday celebrated by all south Africans, but specifically for the children. Freedom Day remembers 30 years ago when the youth rebelled against the oppression of apartheid and schooling which controlled exactly what they learned and didn’t learn..
I re-saw a movie I had seen years ago starring Whoopie Goldberg called “Sarafina”. Which tells, in a musical form, one view of this struggle. I did not appreciate the movie at the time I saw it but now I see the struggle thru very different eyes.
Do yourself a favour and rent it, as it has been redigitalized and is quite moving.
The older girls sang all the songs, both South African and from the soundtrack. It made for a full South African experience.
The assessments were quite intense this week, as Corine included a thorough examination. I found several children with anal warts, which indicate either past or(hopefully not) present sexual abuse. So sad but so true. We do treat such abuse both physically but, more importantly, psychologically. These wonderful children, with smiles to melt your heart, deserve neither the abuse nor the HIV+ status that often accompanies the abuse
I learned a lot this week, such as to take runny noses seriously when a child is on antiviral meds, as a cold can quickly go into a pneumonia. I also learned how resilient these lovely children are and how easily they share with each other
The two little ones that I would easily sneak into my suitcase are both named Simon, though the 3 yr. old goes by Sufundo (I originally thought it was Mufundo) . The 2 yr.. o ld Simon has been on ART (HIV cocktail) for two weeks now and we are beginning to see some improvement. In the past they have treated the TB first, followed by the HIV tx. , but since we have recently lost several babies it was decided to switch the approach with Simon. The idea is to build up his immune system so he can better fight the TB. Today he had a runny nose so Corine will follow it up since he is on antivirals(note the previous paragraph-smile)
A cd of pics has been made and sent to Carolyn and Carol .Hopefully one of my talented friends will be able to upload a few choice pics for you all to see.
The “Vanderbilts”(not completely true as Jenny goes to Princeton) leave this Thursday for the states. It will be strange without their amazing youthful energy.
They have included me in Kruger Park and shopping, as well as taught me more about this computer than I ever wanted to know-smile.
All for now, my friends. So much to do to prepare for AIDS Clinic tomorrow.
Freedom and Blessings to you all,
Marie
posted by Marie McGee @ 12:33 AM
1 Comments
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Kruger National Park
Hi Friends,
Sorry I am days late on this blog, but it is only because I have so much to tell you about.
Sparrow continues to feel more like home every day. I feel(and am)needed here and each child's smile or hug is more than enough payment to happily greet the next day.
Sadly, we have had another death of a baby. Sweet Zenkle and her mom were so sick last week that we were unable to handle it, despite oxygen, and even an IV for hydration. It seems that again, the virus was too pervasive in her little body to fight and she will be buried tomorrow somewhere near her family home.
Mom seems to be better and able to handle the loss, but we have a new young, incredibly dear volunteer named Emily, who is struggling with the loss of the baby she had so quickly bonded to and held for hours the first week she arrived..
I continue to “assess” over 158 children a week. I have to say it is a good way to get to know all the children, though I can only say ½ their names and remember about 1/3 of them. I have fallen in love with a 3 yr old named Mufundo. His smile melts my heart and makes me reconsider my thoughts of never adopting a child. Of course, apparently that is not a concern as the USA has failed to sign some adoption agreement with South Afrca and they can not be taken out of this country (HIV+ or not.) I know we adopt children from many countries, so I am not sure what that is all about. Perhaps my researchers Carol B. or Larry W. could find out for me--smile--
We have a wonderful group of young volunteers from Vanderbilt University. I call them the “kids”. What a joy their energy has been! They help me with the assessments, play with the babies and tutor the kids after school.
Last weekend they planned a trip to Kruger National Game Park, and insisted I join them, though it meant squishing 6 people into a rented car designed to hold 5. What a treat for me.
I so enjoyed our weekend at Kruger!! We arrived Friday night and made plans for a St. morning game drive. Cris, Nicole, Johanna and Jenny chose a walk while Supria and I chose a leisurely drive-ha. Our guide drove us for about 3 hrs. (5am-8am) : We saw am amazing sunrise and so many wild animals: An elephant family of Mom, Dad and Baby makes three walked casually across our road; rhinos, kudus, giraffes and even a lioness from a distance. Interestingly enough seeing about 50 deer resting quietly near our cabin was a highlight for me. It was pitch dark and I was walking to the meeting place at 4 am when I felt their presence before I even saw them. It was extraordinary! They were not afraid of me and it felt as if I could sit amongst them and they wouldn’t have cared. I did take a couple of pictures but they didn’t come out well. Speaking of photos, Jenny put all my 200+ photos on our computer. Next we’ll transfer them online so you all can see them. There are even even videos of the animals and the kids. Soon, I promise, my friends.
I am well and happy. Just started doing some Yoga again,-Yahoo!!! Sarahs CD is great but the DVD’s are different and I am unable to play any DVD’s from the states.
Again I request Neurontin to be sent here, as it is unavailable here (and so needed.)
I received two boxes this week (thanks Carolyn and Jennifer!) Now I have my camera-computer connection, my CPR certification(ha), a bag of my favorite pink Canada mint(I WANT MORE!!!)and a zillion balloons for the kids.
More soon--------Many Blessings
Marie
.
Hi Friends,
Sorry I am days late on this blog, but it is only because I have so much to tell you about.
Sparrow continues to feel more like home every day. I feel(and am)needed here and each child's smile or hug is more than enough payment to happily greet the next day.
Sadly, we have had another death of a baby. Sweet Zenkle and her mom were so sick last week that we were unable to handle it, despite oxygen, and even an IV for hydration. It seems that again, the virus was too pervasive in her little body to fight and she will be buried tomorrow somewhere near her family home.
Mom seems to be better and able to handle the loss, but we have a new young, incredibly dear volunteer named Emily, who is struggling with the loss of the baby she had so quickly bonded to and held for hours the first week she arrived..
I continue to “assess” over 158 children a week. I have to say it is a good way to get to know all the children, though I can only say ½ their names and remember about 1/3 of them. I have fallen in love with a 3 yr old named Mufundo. His smile melts my heart and makes me reconsider my thoughts of never adopting a child. Of course, apparently that is not a concern as the USA has failed to sign some adoption agreement with South Afrca and they can not be taken out of this country (HIV+ or not.) I know we adopt children from many countries, so I am not sure what that is all about. Perhaps my researchers Carol B. or Larry W. could find out for me--smile--
We have a wonderful group of young volunteers from Vanderbilt University. I call them the “kids”. What a joy their energy has been! They help me with the assessments, play with the babies and tutor the kids after school.
Last weekend they planned a trip to Kruger National Game Park, and insisted I join them, though it meant squishing 6 people into a rented car designed to hold 5. What a treat for me.
I so enjoyed our weekend at Kruger!! We arrived Friday night and made plans for a St. morning game drive. Cris, Nicole, Johanna and Jenny chose a walk while Supria and I chose a leisurely drive-ha. Our guide drove us for about 3 hrs. (5am-8am) : We saw am amazing sunrise and so many wild animals: An elephant family of Mom, Dad and Baby makes three walked casually across our road; rhinos, kudus, giraffes and even a lioness from a distance. Interestingly enough seeing about 50 deer resting quietly near our cabin was a highlight for me. It was pitch dark and I was walking to the meeting place at 4 am when I felt their presence before I even saw them. It was extraordinary! They were not afraid of me and it felt as if I could sit amongst them and they wouldn’t have cared. I did take a couple of pictures but they didn’t come out well. Speaking of photos, Jenny put all my 200+ photos on our computer. Next we’ll transfer them online so you all can see them. There are even even videos of the animals and the kids. Soon, I promise, my friends.
I am well and happy. Just started doing some Yoga again,-Yahoo!!! Sarahs CD is great but the DVD’s are different and I am unable to play any DVD’s from the states.
Again I request Neurontin to be sent here, as it is unavailable here (and so needed.)
I received two boxes this week (thanks Carolyn and Jennifer!) Now I have my camera-computer connection, my CPR certification(ha), a bag of my favorite pink Canada mint(I WANT MORE!!!)and a zillion balloons for the kids.
More soon--------Many Blessings
Marie
.
posted by Marie McGee @ 9:39 AM
1 Comments
