For those who are interested can follow the teams blog here: http://hpccafricahope.blogspot.com/. So these are my personal thoughts and musings. The differences between where we are staying and where we are working is night and day. The people, children, etc. who are living on the street in 100%, no money poverty just astounds me. They have to pay for their shelters, so that forces them to find, get or steal money anyway they can. I have met and talked to so many men who are willing to work, but can't find it just tears your heart out you can't help them more.
The local unions are holdings the kids hostage by striking and forcing the schools to close. If the school tries to stay open the principle and leadership are threatened or attacked. We have not seen any of the rioting as of yet, however we have seen the effects and heard it. We can't work in the after school learning center because of it. We have been able to clean it up and bring in a graffiti artist who is doing a mural on one of the walls. We have some minor work left and painting and building of the new chalk/play/game center which will be completed later in the week. It really breaks my heart seeing this. Education is the way out for any child, to become productive in society and change their circumstances. If the adults don't get their act together, how are the kids expected to move forward. Children attending school are required to spend, x amount to attend classes, buy a uniform and pay for transportation and lunch. This is at a government ran school!!!!!! That is not public education.........Please be praying for these kids, the teachers and administrators.
