First Post after Gugulethu

Starting from the first day I met Bomvu and Thembie, I felt the love coming from them as well as all of the other host families. TJ and I had the opportunity to, in a way, have two host mothers. Since Thembie had to work a lot this week, we stayed with Bomvu. Each morning she made us eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast. It was amazing. We would have been fine with cereal.

Each night after we were done at JL Zwane, we would go to one of the host houses for a big potluck style dinner. All of the moms would help cook and bring food. While dinner was being prepared, we would sit and visit together and talk about each others day. It felt like home.

When the food was done, we would all eat together; it was so nice to have that family atmosphere. Even after three days, I feel like I have a genuine home and family in South Africa. People from a community in which, at first we knew nothing about, were more than willing to open their homes and hearts to us and treat us as their own. By us coming to Gugulethu with an eager mind wanting to learn, the families recognized that we cared for their community and in return, they cared for us.

The main consistent theme we encountered while we were in Gugs was love. Everyone called me brother. It is all about love in Gugulethu. With love and compassion, many things can be addressed.