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!

I

Tears, Trials and Torture! Part 2

 Mile 14 to Mile 28 

By the time we got to the half way point we were completely smashing it hitting all of our timing goals and speeding though the coastal path even when it was incredibly muddy. We completed the first 14 miles from Sandbanks Ferry to St. Aldhems head in 5 hours 5 minutes. It was lovely for my sister to give me the luxury off stopping for 5 minutes to update everyone properly... but she wouldn't let me sit down... her favourite phrase throughout the day was "come on" and man oh man did I get angry at her saying it, but I honestly couldn't have done it without her she was my helping hand, photographer and all round motivator.

                                           

As soon as we hit mile 14 I knew it was going to get hard, once we turned the corner you could see every single hill that we would have to climb and this is when it got mentally tough but thankfully I still had energy! That was until I saw what people call THE BEAST... its hundreds of steps straight down and hundreds back up! The way down my toes where killing and the way up my thighs where in agony and I struggled to breath stopping every 2 mins or so. This is where I really had to dig deep and remember who I was doing it for and the smiles on the kiddies faces when they get to go on our adventures. Every step up that I took I would say another child's name in my head from TLC and that was my motivation to keep going!! I was incredibly happy to get to the top. The coastal path is honestly so deceiving it looks so beautiful from a distance and then it becomes treacherous... 

Just over the top of the hill as I was catching my breath I saw my cousin who is the same age as me come and join and even though she probably couldn't tell I was soooo happy to see her... more motivation at a time where it was definitely needed. We walked about 1/4 of a mile and then came across our next hill ... when you go down ... you've gotta go up ... Chapman's Pool was lethal... This is where the mud slides began. To be brutally honest it was more like a slip and slide or an ice skating rink than a hike in the country side... every step you would take you would slide 3 more.. you would think that would be useful but it really wasn't. I spent most of this part of the journey either on my bottom or my hands and knees trying to grip on to any clump of grass, bush or bramble that I could reach. 

At this point we met another group of people training for the three peaks challenge and even they were shocked with the muddy terrain... They did laugh when they saw me practically hugging the mud! As we were coming down our landslide they were coming down the side we had to climb up, so as you could imagine it was pretty much impossible to climb without a rope. At one point I looked like a frog.. my arms and feet where slipping and my legs had locked in a sort of frog position. I thought at that point that I was going to fall to the bottom and have to start again. Luckily my sister and cousin came to my rescue... after taking a few photos of course 😂😂

Between Chapman's Pool and Kimmerage is honestly such a blur. All I really remember are other walkers passing from the opposite direction pointing out that I looked like I had hugged the mud and the fact that there were many other hills between those two points. Every time it felt like we were getting closer to Clavels tower at Kimmerage we would turn the corner and find yet another couple of hills. At this point I was 100% ready to give up!

Time was getting on and I knew this section had taken a lot longer to complete than I had expected and this made me angry with myself. When we finally got to the hill going into Kimmerage I saw my parents car in the distance and all I wanted to do was cry and go home to where I was comfortable and warm! Once we got down the hill our parents where waiting for us cheering us on and refilled our water for us. This is where I cried. My body had been pushed to limits it had never been to before. My face was pale, I felt dizzy and weak I honestly looked scary in the reflection of the car. (It was only at the end of the hike that my mum said she wanted me to come home at that point as I looked awfully sick). Kimmerage was thankfully over the 3/4 mark but honestly I didn't even have the energy to update people at that point. I was exhausted. 

Just past the car park at Kimmerage we saw the stone marker telling us that it was only 6 and 1/4 miles till Lulworth Cove. This motivated me for honestly about 5 minutes... until I saw the next hill. I was still trying to hold back the tears. During the first 7 miles I was happy, smiling and it was one big adventure. Miles 7-14 I pulled a muscle in the back of my thigh and it was agony but I had to push through the pain because it was for my kiddies. Between here I also smashed my shoulder on a concrete step as I was shutting a country gate. Miles 14 to 21 where mud slide mania, never ending hills and trenches close to the cliff. But 21 to 28 I have never seen so many big steep hills in one day, that I knew I'd eventually have to climb. From this point you could easily see the big chalk cliff where we knew was close to the finish line just before the Cove. This is when everything was a struggle. My entire body hurt. I looked up at Woolburrow Bay and mentally it was impossible. A steep never ending hill. Every step I took didn't feel like it made any difference. It just went on forever. Every 5 or so steps I'd have to stop. My sister shouting "come on, you can do it, just a few more steps, your nearly there" from ahead and my cousin by the side of me cheering me on offering to help however she could. My toes felt like there where going to fall off I could feel the blisters popping in my shoes! Everytime I stopped I felt like I was going to faint. We were so close but still so far. I did question whether I was going to make it at multiple points along the way. But as pale as a ghost I made it to the top, ate a banana had a drink and off we went. A lovely bit of nearly levelled out ground. I was happy for the small improvement at that point but new the sun was starting to disappear so we had to step up the pace otherwise it would become dangerous very quickly. 

My Sister and Cousin being my satnav was a great decision to start with but I started to regret it when every hill we went over there was "just one more to go" so by this point I had stopped believing them. 

On the hill down into Mupe Bay my toes were it total agony so my cousin suggested I walked backwards and that was honestly the best peice of advice I had all day ... the feeling of my toes being free was incredible. When we were on the Walborrow Bay Hill my sister said that Mupe Bay was the last big hill but it wasn't as bad as the one we had just done. Man oh man did she lie It felt steeper and longer. It was only when I thought I was half way that I looked back and realised that I was only a 1/4 done that it felt impossible... So close to the end but in my head I had given up. I love the kiddies so much I just had to keep saying their names and reminding myself of the reasons I had decided to do the hike in the first place. It was a Massive Challenge and that was the point. As we were walking up the hill the sun began to disappear quicker so I pushed my body through every limit it had and kept going. We were finally at the top and it was the first time all day that I could actually see the Cove!! 

As we started walking (or hobbling for me) down the hill my Dad came to join us for the final part of the walk to cheer us on ... or me on haha the other girls where still fine and could have probably walked another 20 miles if I wasn't with them. They do a lot more exersize than me though. I'm the sort of person who would drive to the local shop whereas they would both run. When we got to the bottom of that hill the sun was beautiful it was beginning to set. A beautiful orange colour that quickly turned the sky pink. 

As we walked on further more of my family came to join for the ending which was lovely even though I was grumpy and not in the best of moods... I had been up since midnight and had walked for 12 and a half hours at this point. Down the last mud slide we went pretty much all of us slid and fell in the mud at some point but it was all worth it too see the sun finish setting in the cove. A beautifully difficult coastal walk! 

Unfortunately it was over yet, we had come down the cliffs but Lulworth Cove beach is made of pebbles and stones. So every muscle that hadn't been strained on the walk was now being tested as we hiked half way around the Cove to the road up to the car. I knew if I stopped I wouldn't get started again so I just had to power through.  

As we were making our way towards the car park two of my aunties and cousin came to congratulate us on finishing. I was so happy to be finished, but I was physically, mentally and emotionally drained. Nothing else left to give. Tears began running down my cheeks as I processed what I had just done!

I'd like to thank everyone that made this possible and everyone who was soo generous to donate to such a wonderful bunch of kiddies. I'm sure they will really appreciate everyone's kindness and generosity, it is much appreciated.  

(28 miles and 13 hours later.... )

His Will

His Way 

My FAITH!

SOUTH AFRICA 2022

Love Anna x

Dirt, Difficulty and Determination! Part 1

Sunday 16th January 

 Me and my sister had our alarms set for 2:30 am. After less than 3 hours sleep because of nervousness and adrenaline we got up, got dressed had some breakfast of left over pesto pasta from the night before and snuck out of the house at 3am. We got into my sisters car and drove the 45 minutes away from home to our starting point at Studland Ferry. At this point we were in very high spirits and adrenaline was running through our bodies. we walked from the car to the starting point at the ferry and then began our adventure after taking a few photos at 4am. 

We were making great timing along the beach loving life and talking lots. It was great to be able to spend quality time with my sister knowing that I wont see her for a while in a few weeks time. Our first obstacle came when we realised that the path we needed to get on was on the other side of the incoming tide... Because we didn't want to trek back on ourselves we decided that the only way to the other side was to climb on the cages of rocks that stop the cliffs eroding. A little dangerous some might say!

At this point it was still pitch black out we had our head torches on guiding the way even though mine was useless and was not strong at all. It seemed like we made our way to Old Harry Rocks very quickly. We were very happy with our progress so headed down into Swanage... At this point I was trusting my sister with her directions as she had done most of the coastal path at different times throughout the past few years.... To find out she forgot where she was going ... We are both pretty sure we got lost.. haha oh well we were still happy that we were keeping on track with our timing goal! 

When we made it to Swanage (Fish and Chip shop) We had hit our 7 mile mark.... It was only 6:10 am at this point so we felt like we were smashing it hitting our first target on time at the 1/4 way mark. 

Our next destination to get too was St. Aldhem's Head which at this point seemed manageable not too hard or hilly but boy it was slippery!

When we left Swanage our next step in the journey was Durlston Country Park. The South Coast coastal path is mapped out with little acorn pictures, However in the dark as you can imagine they are pretty impossible to see. So.. relying on my satnav (my Sister) I trusted her and once again we got lost and added an extra hill to the journey... 

When we got to Durlston Country Park we thought it would be light out, but it was still dark! Thankfully there was a water refilling station that we sure did take advantage off. We made our way down the path to the light house and through the gate back on to the rocky slippery path to Dancing Ledge. This should have been pretty easy... But we were so wrong... The rocky path was covered in mud and became lethal .. well for me anyway... my sister stayed on two feet and I practically crawled. Every time I walked a few steps my legs would go opposite directions and I was splat on my bum, Hands or knees...                            This is where I got the nickname Bambi 

I was extremely happy when we passed Dancing Ledge the Sun was just making its first appearance so we got to watch the stunning sun rise over the bright blue peaceful sea. The sky was a beautiful orange colour when we made it to Windspit this is where I had done (training) one week before. By training I mean 7 miles Circle route with a stop at the local pub for 30 mins in between. The only other training I had done was 5 - 10k a day on a tredmill with no incline since January 1st other than that I would drive everywhere!

When we were at Windspit I went to shut one of the country gates behind me and as I turned I slipped, fell and smashed my shoulder into the concrete step. This made using that arm so painful... but I knew how many people had supported the Children at TLC so I didn't want to give up.

I knew that from Windspit to St. Aldhem's head it wasn't far so I was happy and this kept me motivated to get to the half way mark!!

We finally had service at this point so we were able to stop and use our phones quickly as the first update we posted we didn't stop at we continued to walk whilst typing and posting on social media about our journey so our first actual rest was at the 14 mile mark. 

Life felt great the only hard part of that half of the journey was the slipping, falling over and being covered in mud on the lower half of my body, everything else was a joke and a great laugh with my incredibly strong sister!

BIG NEWS!

 

When things are out of your control they can be scary... right?

TLC has been a massive part of my life since the age of 17 when I came across a video of the kiddies on YouTube. I flew out to Johannesburg South Africa with my Dad in November less than 2 weeks after being accepted to volunteer at the children's home. All that I knew about TLC I had discovered from the internet. I knew that it would most likely be an incredible adventure full of many highs and lows. But I didn't know about all the little miracles that would happen during my stays at TLC in the years since. 

Since that first trip to TLC Children's home I have volunteered there for a total of 24 months. 

These have been some of the most amazing and challenging times of my life. It is wonderful getting to spend time with the children and babies. Giving them the love they need and deserve. However, we are all humans, it can be hard when babies and children who you have helped to raise get adopted or fostered and leave the TLC property. I am so happy for the children when they get to go to their forever families but I do miss them an enormous amount. 

Having said that about 2 months ago I created a post on Gofundme about a hike that I decided to do to raise funds for the kiddies to go on outtings to experience activities away from the place they love and call Home. 

At this point in my life I was enjoying Nannying for a wonderful family just down the road from where me and my family live. Little did I know how much my life was going to change within the next few months. 

The babies and everyone at TLC have been on my mind every day since that 1st trip to the children's Home. As I was leaving Johannesburg the last time I was there I prayed and said If your plan for my life is to leave the children's home., please make it known and take the desire to be there away from my heart

However, the thoughts about TLC and the memories with the kiddies kept getting stronger and stronger. It was at that point in my life that I knew God was not done... 

After a few messages back and forth to managers it was decided that they'd love to have me back. So, paperwork was completed and sent off and the time of waiting began... 

I let work know about leaving to go back to my kiddies in South Africa but at this point I was still unsure if I'd actually be able to go.

Previously with visa paperwork it would take a month to a month and a half to return so I would try and forget about it and carry on with life. 

This time life got busy especially as it was over the Christmas period. I got on with life and said to my Auntie that if God wants it to happen it will be approved and if its declined he just has a different path for my life. I will be sad but everything happens for a reason! 

Then as I was packing up a few of my things in anticipation for the news I received a text saying the paperwork had arrived at the embassy. At this point I started to panic ... This was the same message I got when the paperwork was given in to the embassy and from that point on it could take anywhere up to 2 months to come back. So, I prayed about it and approximately 5 minutes later I received a second message .... your passport is with the courier and will arrive tomorrow. 

I have honestly never been so excited but so nervous in my life... The text didn't say if it was approved or declined... it just said it was coming...

One long night and nearly whole day later I received my passport. In front of my mum and brother I counted through my passport to get to my THIRD VISA for TLC Children's Home!!!! It was APPROVED!!!!

Having said that after spending 9 months back in the UK. I am happy to announce that I will be returning to TLC Children's Home for a grand total of 2 years 11 months. I am soo grateful that my visa has been approved and that I am able to love these children and spend quality time with them once again. 

Thank you so much to everyone for the Love and Support on all of my trips to TLC Children's Home especially as I get ready to head out in under 3 weeks...

(The massive amount of paperwork in order to get the visa processed.)

Bringing Joy one experience at a time!

The past few years I have been back and forth to Johannesburg South Africa Volunteering at TLC Children's home. TLC is a loving home committed to rescue any newborn or baby who has been abandoned by their family, irrespective of their race or health status. They provide responsive, temporary nurturing of up to 35 babies, with the aim of reducing risk and trauma during their critical first 1000 days of life.

During my stays at TLC I have made countless bottles, changed thousands of nappies and have been their to watch many milestones passed. I have loved being able to spend time with these beautiful children, playing and experiencing many firsts with them. Because they are in a Children's home and there are lots of them they don't get to do many things that we take for granted here, including going to the mall, going out to the park/ soft play or enjoying a lovely walk followed by lunch. Having said this, during my previous trip I was given funding to give the children a experience that they wont forget. We took 13 children and their preschool teachers to the local zoo farm to feed the animals then had lunch out. I cannot explain the happiness on these children's faces ... It was a truly incredible day!

As many of you know I'm not a massive fan of exersize but I thought that to raise some funds to make these experiences happen more often for the children I'd set myself a challenge.... and a challenge it will be.... On the 16th January 2022, Me, my sister and my cousin will be hiking from Studland point 28 miles all the way to Lulworth Cove on the coastal route in around 12 hours. Any donations are massively appreciated and will go directly to giving these amazing children incredible days out. THANKYOU!!

I will be posting updates on my facebook at the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and finally at the end of my journey along the coast. When I reach the end my family and some cousins will be there to help me cross the finish line! Then over the next couple of days I will put all of the posts from facebook into 1 blog so that you can see the challenge step by step.

I am so grateful to everyone that has given soooo generously to these incredible kids. I really cant express enough just how far this money will go on adventures and opportunities outside of TLC. Here are a couple of photos from previous trips to TLC on our adventures off the property to the local zoo farm. This was around 1/2 way through my trip at TLC and the kiddies that we took kept asking if we could go back to the farm every day until I came home. I would love to be able to do more adventures like this and see there little faces light up with excitement. 

Thankyou for making this all possible and especially to Knoll Farm Church for making the previous outting happen.