Today was another day of playing with the kiddos. I also got to sort through clothing that was
donated to the shelter. We picked through
boxes and bags to find “nice outfits” for the kids. Most of the clothing was very nice and some
was new. One of the women that work at
the shelter helped us to sort the clothing.
I have a very difficult time remembering all the women’s names, because
many of the names are so hard for me to pronounce. Some of the names involve a clicking of the
tongue or other sound we do not use in the English language. All of the women are very forgiving when I
botch or forget their names. So at the
moment I do not remember the woman’s name, but I did enjoy talking to her. She explained that the women work for four
days then they have four days off. She
shared, “We work with all age groups, but my favorite age group is the toddlers.” The women are assigned various shift times,
all lasting 8 hours. So sometimes they
work mornings, sometimes afternoons, and sometimes they work through the
night. Most of the women I have talked
to have one to three children of their own at home.
The women are so helpful and seem to
genuinely enjoy the position as “Momma” to the 30 kids. The amazing thing to me is that the women
work each day not knowing if they will receive a paycheck for their time. The “Momma’s” are paid when the shelter
receives enough money through donations.
Sometimes the women do not get their paycheck on time or any paycheck at
all. David Betzer explained, “They come
into the job as volunteers understanding that they will get paid when we have
the money.” I can’t imagine spending 8
hour nights away from my own children in order to take care of dozens of crying
babies without knowing for sure that I would receive a paycheck. The women of Lighthouse Children’s Shelter are
true servants.
This evening in order to begin our 4th of July
celebration we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean at the movie theater. For the movie and a big thing of popcorn and
a drink I paid about $3. There is a
table with powders to add to the popcorn including salt, sour cream and chive,
barbeque, salt and vinegar, and chutney.
I was adding the salt and vinegar flavor to my popcorn when a black
South African woman approached the table.
Our eyes met so I smiled.
Immediately she responded, “Where are you from?” I replied, “The United States.” She laughed, “I knew you were not from around
here. White people are always so serious
and mad. I have never had a white person
smile at me.” This sounded extreme to me
because I have met many white South Africans and all of them seem to by very
cheerful and friendly. However, the
women found my smiling to be unusual enough to ask where I was from.
