We decide that this would be the perfect time to interview Orma. Cindy sets up the video camera and I record she and Orma talking about the four Care points and the children.
It's a wonderful video where Orma can explain how the Care points work and how the children depend on this one meal.
Afterwards, Fred decides to stay at the lodge to work on the plans for the building site for the day.
Cindy and I decide to take Orma out-a real "girls" day. As we are leaving, Frances calls out to us. She and Leon have donated a lot of frozen chicken for the Care points. We have to take it to St. Mathius-the only Care point which has a freezer. It is the nicest of the four Care points. When we arrive there, a few boys come up and unlock the gate for us. The boys carried the chicken inside-even the smallest youngster.
Cindy and Orma work on fitting all the chicken into the freezer while I take some pictures. There was a small boy, maybe four years old, with two others who looked to be around six or eight. The older boy was about twelve. The three little ones were very excited to have their picture taken. Everywhere I pointed the camera, there they were.
Orma then drives us to St. Margaret's, but there was no one there-again due to the holiday.
Orma offered to drive me to the Swazi cultural center, but Cindy and I decide to take her to lunch instead. We went to a nearby shopping center and ate on a patio. We noticed when we arrived all of the patrons were white and some were openly staring at us, or more likely, at Orma. Happily though, the servers were very nice and helpful.
As we were leaving, we went to use the restroom on the other side of the shopping center. While there, we met a woman coming out of the Community Health office. We started talking and she opened up her office and gave us brochures on Aids and alcohol abuse to give to the children. Her name was Fortunate and she offered to Orma to come and speak to the children at all the Care points. She would show a film on Aids and discuss it with the children. It was a terrific chance meeting.
That's the wonderful thing about Swaziland. Sometimes it is difficult to get things planned here, but often, things have a way of working out.
We return to the lodge and it is very hot so I decide to go swimming. Besides, I have to justify bringing my swimsuit all the way from home. I take one step into the swimming pool and it is ICE COLD! I manage to go in up to my waist. I stay in until I can no longer feel my feet.
Later, after I have sent a few emails from the office, Cindy asks if I would like to go with she and Frances to drive the maids home. They live on the other side of the granite mountain. I say, "Sure." It's getting to be late afternoon. We go around the mountain and up a dirt road. We climb up and up. Surely, at times, I do not think Frances will be able to get up this dirt road, but she always does. It was a great opportunity to see the different types of houses and everyone waves to us that we pass. We see several boys down below us playing soccer. Up above them are some cows wandering-typical for the cows here.
The sun is setting and it is absolutely stunning. I am so glad I was asked to go. I take some pictures and just enjoy the drive.
Another fabulous dinner back at the lodge. Our cook is P-. For privacy, I have not included his name. His manner is very soft spoken and gracious. He always calls me "Miss." Often, we are in the dining room well after dinner. I have taken to fixing up our table for breakfast the next morning so he doesn't have to stay and wait for us. He has four children. I am told it is believed that he has Aids. I don't even know how to respond to that. He is such a lovely man.
He has become such a fixture for us at the lodge. We see him first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. If this is true, such sadness.
After dinner, Cindy and I go back to her room and we discuss our children and our lives, and basically solve all the problems of the world.
And with that, we all sleep soundly.
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