Home Page: Willmore Adventures in South Africa
October and early November saw us celebrate a whole year in
Africa. With the familiarity of the spring blossoms in their vibrant colours,
we have felt a greater connection to this little corner of the world. It wasn’t
without it’s changes though as Laurence started a new job, no longer working
for his company in the UK. Amelie and her grade at school put on a fabulous
market day for some very eager shoppers in the other year groups, and South
Africa has of course won a rather important rugby match.
Back in August, we received the news that Laurence would no
longer be able to work remotely for his company in Africa, and that he would
have to return to the UK. So, we had a decision to make. We straight away knew
that now wasn’t the time to go home. We are settled, the children are happy,
but most importantly, we are here to spend much needed time with Laurence’s
family. Laurence’s dad, Geoff, has stage 4 cancer, and so taking that journey
together with him, and as a family, is our priority right now. Laurence started
his search for a job rather cautiously, in a country he’s never worked in
before. To his surprise, where there’s a skills shortage, there are some great
job opportunities! A company is funding Laurence to start a Tech Company, which
is incredible, and I am very excited for him. It means he now must navigate
Jo’burg traffic, but with his new Hyundai i10 (the smallest car on the planet),
he nips about with ease. We like to think of him as the muscular and
ridiculously good-looking superhero, Mr Incredible, squeezing into his car, but
Mr Bean in his mini is another analogy that has crossed our minds.
Starting your own company is something that a lot of South
African’s see as a way of surviving out here, where you can’t necessarily rely on
the government for anything, and where there is 30% unemployment, (which
compares to less that 4% in the UK). This entrepreneurial spirit is ingrained
in them at school, where they are assessed on their creation of a market stall,
products, packaging and advertising. As Amelie comes to the end of her time in
the Foundation Phase at school (Infants equivalent), she and her fellow Grade 3
pupils had this very task. Amelie and her three firm friends started planning,
and parents were asked to assist. I invited the girls round to our house and operations began. The Army Logistics Officer started to stir inside me and no
sooner had the girls made signs and packaging, we had set up and were running a
mock market stall at home. Amelie, Elowen and I painted rocks together to sell,
which we loved, and Amelie stayed up late on a few occasions just because she
was so absorbed in the task. The day was an absolute success and the girls stall,
‘The Dog Unicorn Universe’ Stall made R1025 (Rand), which is the equivalent to
£54, and the year group made over £800 that they donated to CHOC, The Childhood
Cancer Foundation. Well done those entrepreneurial Grade 3’s at Crawford Prep,
Lonehill.
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| Mock stall in the run up to Market Day. |
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| Rock painting together. |
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| Market Day. The Dog Unicorn Universe Stall up and running. |
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| A happy customer! |
South African unemployment is just one of many tragedies facing the country right now. With a population of 58 million, in 2018, the country suffered 21,022 homicides. In the UK we have a population of 66 million and during the same period suffered 701 homicides. The difference is stark, and the consequences of poverty a daily reality for so many. Even at the school where I teach, we lost one of our little 8-year-old students this week to either TB or AIDS or a combination of the two. As the volunteers we are devastated and wonder how often this happens to little children out here. It is knowing this, and for so many, experiencing this, that makes South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup a little bit sweeter. It was something to celebrate and something to own. And having a captain in Siya Kolisi, a man who rose up from the depths of a township, to defy poverty, and lead a nation, has given those born into similar circumstances a glimmer of hope that it is possible for them to do the same. Backing the Springboks also gave the country, despite all it’s differences, a reason to feel united. The girls learnt the words to the ‘World in Union’ Song at school, which is a legacy from the 1995 RWC. It was the first World Cup that South Africa were allowed to compete in after the end of Apartheid, which was held in South Africa where Nelson Mandela wore the iconic Springbok jersey, and which South Africa won. It has been played at every World Cup since and really sums up the hope that exists here for a future that everyone is striving to achieve. This year’s final was such a great day for everyone, despite England losing, and fun was had by all… except for the poor guy who was seen running through Lonehill in a pair of South African pants stretched over his shoulders, aka a mankini, waving a Springbok flag. His day was somewhat more sober. Next time I have no doubt that he will indeed ‘Back the Boks’!
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| Watching the semi finals against Wales. |
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| Game day! |
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| Split loyalties. |
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| Laurence with his step mom, Bev, celebrating the win. |
So, familiarity in the seasons, change with work, a budding
future CEO, and national optimism have defined our month. Onwards to the end of
the year as we gear up for summer, holidays, Christmas and lots of precious
time with family.
Lots of love,
Jess x
It took a few days between writing this and posting it. Please
hold Laurence and his family tightly in your thoughts and prayers, as his dad,
Geoff, has sadly passed away. Thank you.
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