Visit to the Old Age Home

Yesterday the Rays of Hope Guides visited the Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home in Alexandra. It was probably the best meeting we have had this term. I have been feeling very despondent about the Guides recently. When we voted for patrol leaders there were more votes than girls. When I tried to incentivise them by handing out mini chocolates, the store of chocolates mysteriously halved. Obviously I was failing if the girls couldn't even keep the first Guide Law, "A Guide is to be trusted." It was no use rationalising that for orphaned and abandoned girls, lying and stealing are survival skills. My enthusiasm waned but the Lord had called me to run a Guide Company and I wasn't about to give up after a term and a half. All the girls turned up for what they had decided was to be our unit good turn for the term. We had been practicing singing for two and a half weeks. All the girls wore their denims. Minenthle borrowed a white shirt from the orphanage. Those with school shoes polished them. Only two forgot their sashes and scarves. You might think that is disgraceful but for these Guides that is impressive. The driver transported us to the Old Age home through very congested Alex traffic. Mandisa and a friend, Jannet, followed by car. I didn't know what to expect or how the programme would go. I didn't know if there was any kind of hall or place where we could sing to a group. We were shown into the dining room area where many of the frailer residents were congregated watching TV. The matron came to greet us and welcome us.

The girls were a little shy at first but we began with a mime of people having a picnic and leaving all the rubbish lying around. Then a group of Girl Guides came along singing "if you see a piece of paper pick it up, pick it up." Our lead singers, Laiza and Minenthle sang beautifully and confidently and led "Siahamba" and "Shosholoza" Just as we finished our last song, supper arrived. The girls made themselves useful handing out plates of food, collecting dirty dishes and doing the kind of things I would expect Girl Guides to do. They enjoyed themself and were really helpful. Maria got to push a lady in a wheel chair back to her room after supper. I feel really proud of the Guides and I see a glimmer of hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcDXH-_DuUA