We had a fantastic time in South Africa this year! We worked in the Early Childhood Development Program of Hope Worldwide in Zandspruit outside Johannesburg for a week. We helped the little children with Early Learning Skills like letters, numbers, colors, animals, etc. and we helped the parents and caregivers with emotional support, nutrition, education, parenting skills, and health issues. Many of the kids and caregivers come from very poor families who live in tin shacks with dirt floors. The parenting skills that we shared were desperately needed and the kids and caregivers were super excited about spending time together and learning form the visitors.
We also did a tour of Soweto where we visited Nelson Mandela’s home and the Hector Peterson Memorial which commemorates the 1976 riots there. We also fed giraffes by hand and petted baby lions. Some of the team went down to visit Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Let’s continue to help the little children and young women in Africa. We can all help them by:
- Speaking up for them – Proverbs 31
- Looking after them – James 1
- Defending their cause – Deuteronomy 10
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and all of your support. Please let us know if you would like to participate in the Compassion Tour 2020 in South Africa.
Mark and Lin Ottenweller