Home Sweet Home

 My first day at TLC was full of all kinds of emotions, happy, sad, calmness and it sure was full of suprises. South Africa welcomed me back beautifully as it always does NO WATER or electricity! Otherwise known as loadshedding. As you can imagine after 11 long hours on a airplane all you want is a shower and to feel clean again. I arrived at TLC around 10 am and was finally able to have a shower at 3:30pm I was over the moon. Already getting used to the South African Realities. 

For the rest of the day I was able to meet the new babies and reconnect with the small children and adults that I was able to spend so much of my time with at TLC on my previous trips. I felt like I was already settled. I unpacked and greated the international volunteers relaxing in our stunning cottage.

The following day was saturday the 5th February, all the managers had meetings, one was on duty and the others were busy so they asked me to take 2 of our oldest children to a birthday party for a school friend. It was a lovely day getting to know the 2 older kiddios again. I had been at TLC on and off since they were both in the grubs section and they have both grown leaps and bounds since our first time meeting each other. They were happy to tell me all about there school friends and about what they liked and disliked.

They seemed to get used to me very quickly and loved there day out at there friends party. I had known about the party since a few days before I left England so me and my Auntie headed out to the shops and guessed their clothes and shoe sizes and brought them gorgous little outfits. I have honestly never seen a child smile so much with there shoes and clothes. Just knowing that at this property they know what is theres is incredible they have their own space for there own clothes and toys. So they were quick to show me where they were going to put them. They party became a 7 hour celebration. This was great bonding time and also incredible to be able to meet their school friends and the people they speak so highly off. The parents of the children where also so lovely which was great and it made making friendships with them a lot easier.  

The following day I went to church around an hour away with my friend and we spent the whole day in Centurion where the Church is. It was incredible to be back everything felt so peaceful and so right. I felt safe and happy. Nothing could ever make me question my decision on coming back. This is where I am meant to be!

Monday the start of a new week. The day that I began volunteering in the nursery. I spent the majority of my day making baby food with the nursery supervisor. It was a wonderful time to get to know her as she wasn't here on my previous trips. We made beatroot puree, carrot puree, butternut sqaush puree and two types of meat to go with the veggies. It felt like I was back in the swing of things. 

Later on in the afternoon I had a welcome meeting with the management team. This is where they gave me the chance to make a buddy with one of the children. This child is precious and beautiful in so many ways so ofcourse I said yes! I had worked with him as part of a group in my previous trips but this time I am able to spend one on one time with him and honestly it is already making such a difference in his life thanks to everyone who helps to take care of him. 

This time at TLC my job role is different so I join in with many different activities like doctors appointments, court dates, one on one time and community outreach programmes. 

I honestly cant explain how much life has changed for the better for the babies, kiddies and everyone else on this new property. Life is calm peaceful and everyone has settled in nicely to there new home!

Thank you so much for all the support and prayers during my first 2 weeks here at TLC Children's Home

Upgraded to upper

Fortunately when I travel to South Africa the majority of times it’s out of season and to be honest even in season the plane is always half empty. 

3rd February I got up did some last minute laundry finished packing and got ready for the 2 hour journey to the airport with dad. Normally my mummy comes with us but due to illness over Christmas it was not possible this trip so I said my hard goodbye to her, hopped in the car and we were off. The past few nights up until this point i had been struggling to sleep going to bed around midnight/ 1am and being wide eyed before 5am so as you can imagine I was shattered and had a quick nap in the car.

 

The journey to the airport felt like a 20 minute car journey down the road. It was time to unload the car and go into the terminal. Travelling for 3 years is hard… multiple things to pack, different climates to cater for and of course the kiddies toys, clothes, books and this time a pushchair. 

In my head I had prepared for a costly trip, over weight and extra baggage can be EXPENSIVE!!!! 

But my Dad had a plan that he had kept secret for a few weeks, he wanted to try upgrade me but because I had booked and paid for my enconomy ticket by myself online it wouldn’t let him change anything. So being the incredible person he is he went over to the ticket counter explained what I was doing and got me upgraded to first class with airmiles as there where still 8 available seats. 

Over to the upper class bag drop we went. I was in shock. The virgin Atlantic staff were lovely and accommodating and because in upper your allowed 2 checked luggages it worked out perfectly…. Plus they put the pushchair through for free :) 

I was then taken upstairs to a door where I had to scan my boarding pass for upper class security… this is where I had to say goodbye to my Daddy. I wish my family could have come with me and had a great experience but due to health reasons that just wasn’t possible!! I love them all so much and miss them all already. 

After security I walked through duty free down to the club house lounges. I arrived with plenty of time to the airport because I was imagining having problems with my luggage 🧳 so with only one other passenger in the lounge I could pick any seat in the clubhouse and relax and dine whilst waiting for my flight in 5 hours time … 

So having said that I enjoyed it …. Once in a life time experience…. Make the most of it ….. 

4 lemonades 

2 ice cold diet cokes 

1 hot chocolate 

A small plate of chips 

Molten chocolate cake

And a tub of hagaiindaz ice cream 

It was incredible from swinging chairs hanging from the ceiling to sofas that could seat the entire booker family. Being able to watch the airplanes take off and land or TV on what looked like cinema sized screens…. 

Restaurants, table service, or a help yourself station I was definelty not expecting such luxury before a flight. Normally I am sat charging my phone on a uncomfortable airport seat 💺 after buying some over expensive drinks and treats for the flight from WHSmith or boots…. 

At this point it all felt like a dream and an awesome one at that. 

I relaxed, chilled and let the 5 hours slip away before making my way to the gate to board my flight to joburg. 

I’ve only been on the priority list once before and that was to get on a 1 hour flight from joburg to Durban so bypassing the queue this time felt strange normally I’m the last one on the flight but this time I was one of the first …

I entered the plane and for the first time in my life I went left instead of right …. 

Seat 3G! 3 from rows back from the pilots cabin in the middle I was shocked surrounded by people who fly regularly in this incredible area of the plane …. Within minutes of being seated I was offered the choice of champagne, orange juice or water …. I took the water always best to stay hydrated on flights😉 

Placed on my seat was an eminity kit filled with luxury items to make the flight more comfortable then the air hostess asked what size cotton pajamas I would like to keep 🙈 I was in shock. I couldn’t wait for the pilot to start the plane so I could go and get changed! 

I was like a kid in a candy store 🤣

The way upper class is set out in the plane I was in there are lots of seats facing diagonally that lay flat in a bed position if you want to sleep so it is quite sociable whilst you are awake and you get to meet lots of wealthy people who all ask where your final destination is and what your doing…. They all took care of me from the point that I said normally I’m back in economy but this time my dad upgraded me as I’m away for 3 years volunteering at a childrens home. The one lovely guy opposite me was around the same age as my dad and after he realised his son was the same age as me… he took me under his wing and showed me how to live the upper class life … he even made my bed for me 

🤣 the air hostesses said he should apply for a job because he was so well travelled and knew everything about this area of the plane… his friend even gave me his pajamas as he decided not to use them so that I could have a spare pair! 

Fine dinning on an airplane is a different experience all together 

Duck for starter served with warm bread rolls 

Braised pork cheek for mains

Rich dark chocolate mouse for desert

And a lot of cold drinks and water to stay hydrated throughout 

Breakfast was croissants and fruit Which was lovely but I was just sooo excited to get off the plane and begin my journey in South Africa! 

The plane landed and we were off. You know that big rush of people all trying to get to immigration first to bypass the queues …. 

Yeah that was me!

But I made it about 2 minutes of waiting and I was through!! Collected my 2 bags and pushchair and headed through to the arrivals doors in OR Tambo airport x 

I was so happy to be back! once we got to the car me and the manager chatted away until we reached the new TLC Property. 

It is such a gorgeous place! They really have made miracles happen here… when I first saw it it was a construction site with a lot of rubble and now it’s a home… the children are happy it’s peaceful and perfect in every way possible!

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