Stephen Barrett

Time is Flying

Thu, 03 Jul 08 19:42:06 +0200

My time here has been both enjoyable and educational. I have learned a lot and would recomend this program to anybody who is interested in helping out. We have been taken care of wonderfully and the time has gone by too quick. I'd love to stay longer. I feel that our role here has been important and I also had a chance to see a bit of the country and learn about the culture here.

I have had a chance to work closely with wonderful people who are doing good for this area. It is a great organazation. Wish i could stay longer and do more.

Visit here, it's beautiful!

Sat, 28 Jun 08 10:29:29 +0200

After the storms we all went to an old age home and helped them clean out the rooms. All the rooms on the 1st floor had flooded and were covered in mud. We spent all day working away and it still wasn't clean. There were a lot of people helping out though.

This week we had an english school presentation about HIV/Aids and it went really well. The kids enjoyed themselves and so did all of us. It wasn't hard to see that they had learned something important. "IF ITS WET AND IT COMES FROM A BODY...DON'T TOUCH IT!!!" That seems to be one of our biggest goals to get across to the kids when we do presentations. With the infection rate as high as it is here it is important for the next generation to be safe.

This weekend we are going to Drakensburg. It's a world heritage site. I am looking forward to it. There is so much to do here in the evenings and weekends. I wish I had more time to explore this country. I'll have to come back again sometime!

Rain in Durban

Wed, 18 Jun 08 14:58:28 +0200

It has been raining for the last two days and a couple of the women who work with us are having problems with flooding. We are all haning out today and waiting for the storm to pass.

We went on a safari this weekend and it was fantastic. we went to a cheeta farm, went on safari and also went on a boat tour to see hippos and croc's. it was great. we saw a lot of animals such as elephants, zebras, hippos, crocs, impala among others. it was great. there is so much beauty here.

The kids we work with are all so sweet and it is sad what a lot of them have gone through. they are all cute and wonderful children.

I will write again soon and I love you all.

take care and be safe

Stephen

Getting the hang of things

Fri, 13 Jun 08 19:57:04 +0200

I am really enjoying my time here in South Africa and with Bobbi Bear. It is a beautiful progject that I am working on. Our organization rescues raped and sexually abused kids, goes to court with them, goes to the hospital with them, has drop in days with psychologists, tree clinics for women who are HIV + and 24 hour access. Thes organization does beautiful work and they really help make a difference. The people and country are beautiful but there is a great divide between rich, poor, black and white. It really is a shame how some people are forced to live and our region has a infection rate of 51%. It's scary to think that it is that serious of a problem but the people here are learning about the virus and how to cope. South Africa is beautiful though and so are its people.

Getting the hang of things

Fri, 13 Jun 08 19:56:57 +0200

Arrived in South Africa safe & sound!

Thu, 05 Jun 08 19:14:00 +0200

My trip here was long but it wasn't too bad. I got to spend a day in London which was nice. South Africa is beautiful. We are staying in a very nice cottage with a pool and all the things needed to be comfortable. The work is gonna be tough. I was in court on Tue for a rape case where an uncle raped a kid. It was really sad. There is also a lot of crime here but we are in a safe area and there are gates on the windows and lots of security. I will really get into the work next week after we finish traning. Hope all is well wherever you are. I will write again soon.

Love you all,

Stephen

This is me

Thu, 29 May 08 04:32:08 +0200

This is just a pic of me

Leaving Canada on Sat

Thu, 29 May 08 04:26:46 +0200

I will be heading out on Sat from Halifax, Nova Scotia, heading to Montreal then London and then from there I will be heading to South Africa. I am looking forward to my trip but not my flights. It will be here soon.