My Heart Skip a Bit: A Net Buddy Poem

The Net Buddies of Infinite Family continue to inspire and educate us through their blogs.  I hope you enjoy this entry by Ncesh as much as I do!

This poem came to me on June 16th.  I was looking at the world so united and full of love and hope, and the sound came in my heart.  It warmed my soul the feeling. I cannot explain but it was so good.  I saw every one smiling and so happy.   I remember talking to myself, saying  "I wish it was always like this", and my heart skipped a bit.

Oh, South Africa, did you know that you can be this happy?

When you were beaten and assaulted, called by names, 
did you know that the world will be looking at you 
in a good way and happy for you? Not feeling pity, sorry, sad 
because of the hard times?  

My heart skip a bit.

You are flying high like an eagle, shining like a diamond!

My heart skip a bit.

You make us scream, "Oh!!!!"   
No, our scream is for happiness 
not from guns and teargas.  
The Vuvuzela is not for the toitoi, it's for you.  
We are calling to you.  We say, "Go, Bafana, go!"  

My heart skip a bit.

Nina nisibuyisele ithemba nisimanyile
like a silent rock 
nenza sithethengazwinye. 

My heart skip a bit.

Oh, South Africa, what joy you brought to the world.   
Sonke sithetha ulwimi olunye -- we understand a language that we don't speak.   
Just by the look of their faces,
the vuvuzela, 
the outfits and the songs say it all.

And my heart skip a bit.

A "Lucky" Surprise from Jessica Alba!

After we were at the park in NYC, we took a walk to Big Niko's where we really enjoy going for dinner. While we were there waiting for our food, Betsy showed us something really interesting. I still can't believe it till this moment. First, Betsy told us that she could fit her whole fist in her mouth and guess what?   She put her whole fist in her mouth and it was so unbelievably amazing that it was stuck in my head to whole night.

So we came back to the apartment and I was still trying to figure out how she could possibly fit her fist in her mouth while typing my blog.  Meanwhile we were waiting for Erin (Betsy's daughter) to arrive from Washington, DC . Then she arrived and we just all sat around the table while she was eating and Betsy asked if she's going to show me my surprise.  Erin asked, "Does Lucky know about the surprise?" and I said "No". So she went to fetch an envelope, but not a normal size one, one just a bit bigger.  Alan went and got the camera and asked Erin to come sit next to me and that made it even worse because I really did not know what was in the envelope.

So at that moment she pulled out a big photo that was taken of me next to my "dream board" in the boy's room at Nkosi's Haven.  On that copy it was written "Lucky never underestimate the power of knowledge. Reach for the stars my friend! Much love Jessica Alba".  I just went crazy!!!  And not only that but as I was busy going crazy, Erin pulled out a photograph of Jessica Alba holding up that photo of me and my dream board that she had written on!  I so could not believe it!!

Erin told me that she had spoken to Jessica Alba and now she knows who I am!! Erin works for The ONE Campaign and met Jessica when they traveled in Africa together.  On my dream board I had a picture pasted of Jessica Alba and I don't really know how to thank Erin for letting the girl of my dreams know about me!  It was just an amazing night which Erin has made for me.  It was really hard to fall asleep after that and I eventualy slept properly at like 4:50.  I guess I was a little too excited.  It was a realy great surprise, I must say.

Overcoming fear...on a roller coaster! Net Buddy, Keneilwe, blogs about her experience at Kennywood Park!

WOW!!!    Monday the 14th of JUNE was the day I overcame my fear.  We went to Kennywood Amusement Park.  I left the house telling myself that I HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER go on to the roller coasters except the easy ones.

My first ride was the Merry-Go-Round. That was so easy!

I don't know what convinced my heart to do the RACER roller coaster.  I guess it was LUCKY, LORI and BETSY.  I was nervous before the ride started.   When I went on I was now cooled down . The best part of experiencing  the ride was that the car I was is the one that won. The surprising thing is that when I got off I actually wanted more! 

I went on to try the THUNDERBOLT.   It was scary, but I did it like 3 times. 

Then I thought I was too hot.  I went to do the PITTSBURGH PLUNGE.   There I got completely wet!  I also did it 3 times!  I went to try dry myself on the WHIP. 

After the Whip, Christina and I went on to do the BIG and most SCARY PHANTOM'S REVENGE!!  The moment I came off, I was all dry and dizzy.  I didn't believe that it was me that went on the Phantom's Revenge. 

At the end of the day everyone including myself was proud of me.  Thanks to Christina and Lucky for going on most of the rides with me.  If it was not for the two of them I was not going to do the roller coasters.  Thanks Guys.  Driving back home I was so tired, I just fell asleep in the car.  IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!  I ENJOYED IT!

Everything is "Just Ducky" in Pittsburgh...even the Pirates! Another blog by Lucky, visiting Net Buddy

Here I am, having my breakfast and my apple juice.  After that I just hanged around while watching t.v, drawing and patiently waiting for the time to get to 1:30, because this will be the time I will be getting on my first bus here in America and we will be hearding to town.

So we got to the bus stop and took a picture next to the bus stop sign and then continued to wait for our bus. After a few minutes the bus finally arrives and we got on.   Well, it was realy comfortable but they turned the fans on so it started to get a little bit too cool but it was nice. After the nice ride we got to our fist stop which was in the city and we took a walk down to Betsy's work place.  It felt so good to walk again and it was a nice day for that too, I must say.

When we arrived at Betsy's work we first met Susie who works with Betsy.  What a very welcoming woman!  Then I met Joe who also works there and after a minute or so while we were talking, Fred (who Betsy works for) came and he walked up with his hand out to shake mine and he said to me "well you must be from Switzerland right?" but I knew he was kidding.   He gave me a paper weight which had the abbreviation of the name of where Betsy works and it was printed UMF (United Methodist Foundation). He said it is something which should make me remember where I was.  I was realy honoured to have that as a gift. 

Then things just go better, he invited me to step into his office and offered me to sit on his Big Chair and I had pictures taken while I was sitting on the chair and everyone was standing around me and I realy felt like I was the Boss (The Godfather).   I also got to see photos of his children.

I then went to see where Betsy works (her office), and Joe showed me a lovely photo of his family.  Betsy then took me around to where they would have their board meetings.  Then Susie showed me pictures of her family and her grand children too who are twins.   Then she offered me a soda that I had that on my way out because Betsy and I had a Just Ducky Tour to go to.   Then we said goodbye to everyone. 

Well before we went to the Just Ducky Tour we visited an Art institute where these works of art are on display by students.  There were realy amazing work of art there and I know that, because I am an artist myself.

After that we continued with our little walk and the weather seemed to be pretty and we also had to cross a bridge over the Monogehala river.   I asked how old the bridge was and Betsy wasn't sure so she took a photo of me on the bridge.

Then we had to get our Just Ducky Tour and so it finally arrived. We started by passing the bridge we walked over and it was built in 1883, so I guess I got my answer on how old the bridge was.  On the Just Ducky Tour you learn a lot about the area and in this case I was learning a lot about Pittsburgh.  I won't state everything that I have learned but one of the things is that Pittsburgh used to supply and a lot of steel to the world.  I found out that it has produced more steel that Japan and Germany combined during the world wars.  I learned a whole more other stuff as well.

The other thing about the Just Ducky is that it goes on land and also on water.  I think a lot of people were waiting for the time when it gets to the water.  When it got to the river it really floated!  I was the first one in the group to drive it on water.  It was a realy amazing experience!

We then walked back and Betsy called Alan to find out where we should meet him.  We met him where he works.  I got the chance to have photos taken with him at his work place and also got to see his office.  The building is realy tall especialy when you have to look up from the stair cases from the inside.  It is really high.

And so after that we went off to where I had chosen and it was to Mc Donalds (my favourite restaurant).  I ordered a cheese burger but I don't realy know if I had charmed the girl who was taking our orders or what, because she had put down a doulbe cheese burger for me instead of a cheese burger.  Oh well, I just had to enjoy it.

After we were done with our meal we then went to the Pirates Stadium (PNC Park) to watch a baseball match.

We then watched the game and we had a beautiful view of the city as well so it was really awesome.  The Pirates weren't winning and we were just hoping to at least see a home run by the Pirates, because apparently there will be fire-works going off.   After a while one of the Pirates players hit a home run and we got to see the fire-works and it was so beautiful!  Alan took a few pictures of that as well and once we were done watching the game outside the stadium there are statues of the legends of which used to play for the Pirates. I also got a photo taken in front of one statue and I think his name was Roberto if I'm not mistaken.

Then we got back home to get ready for New York..........

Pittsburgh from an African Perspective = Green and Friendly~!

Hi to you all beautiful people, I am just going to tell you a little more about my experiences in Pittsburgh, the green city.


I am now three days in Pittsburgh which is very nice.  I have done a lot of interesting things.

Day 1 Friday(11/06/10)

When we got to Atlanta airport it was very scary for me as I was told that people/consultants at the airport are not friendly at all, so I got there ready for the treatment.  Unexpectedly we were helped by the most wonderful consultant who looks just like WILL SMITH....very friendly indeed. Our day got a little spoilt when we went to get our luggage.  We found out that Tipsy's(Lucky)wasn't there so we waited for the next flight hoping to find it.   But it was just not there.

BUT WE COULDN'T LET THAT SPOIL OUR WONDERFUL TRIP......


We went through customs, got some CANDIES(SWEETS) from the security guard at the airport and waited for our connecting flight to Pittsburgh, the flight was delayed so we had to wait a little longer but it finally came and that wasn't such a long one like first one from Johannesburg. 

When we get to Pittsburgh Dana, Lori's family, Betsy and her husband and Des were all waiting for us with all these beautiful gifts (wooden flowers,wild American sunglasses and some colourful pearls).  We all gave each other big hugs and took a lot of pictures. There was only one person missing.  Guess Who?????  Liz my mentor!  That made me so disappointed and sad, I cried a little.  Although it wasn't her fault, I was looking forward to meeting her in person and give her a big hug.


When Liz finally arrived I was so happy and I couldn't believe it.  That was the most unforgettable moment of my life....wow what an amazing life to have.

Liz and I are staying at Shannon M's house while in Pittsburgh.  Shannon is a wonderful person, a mother of three lovely children.


That night we had an amazing dinner at Shannon's house I met the LIFE SAVER: Mr Owen!!  A very lovely, smart person indeed.  After dinner it was a good night sleep for me as I was tired from flying.


These are some of the words that I learnt from America
South African Way                       American Way
Tomato sauce                              Ketchup
Permanent marker                      Sharpie
Chips                                              French fries

I personally don't think Pittsburghers get stress or depression at all as they have these  lovely green trees and flowers all over!


Will write more tomorrow okay and by the way Americans drive on the right side of the road while we do the left side.   Isn't that interesting?

I am open to any kind of questions about the trip, so you all know where to get me, right?

Looking forward to answering all your questions.

Lucky to be Lucky in the USA!

As promised, I am going to share some of the blogs the Net Buddies are posting to the Ezomndeni Net about their experiences here in the US visiting their video mentors!  Today I am sharing some excerpts from Lucky's blog.  Enjoy!

First thing when I woke up was that the weather was ok and both Betsy and I had planned to go to the zoo for the day but then we thought what if it rains, because it wouldn't be a good day at the zoo if  at had to rain and so we had to let that one pass but we then we decided to do something even nicer which is ice skating.... ooooh and well on our way there we stopped at the post office to post a few things and I finally got a photo taken next to a post van which I think is really fun, because every time when I am in South Africa and I am watching an American movie I would laugh every time they would show a mail van and so it was really great to have a picture taken next to one.

We continued with our journey to the ice skating place and on our way we were talking about how long it has been since we've ice skated and so we were actually nervous of basically falling on the ice but I guess it was too late for us to change our minds then and so we got there, got our ice skates and took some pictures before getting on the ice and then we finally go on the ice and we then started ice skating and none of us were balancing against the side which I think was really good after we have both never been ice skating for a long time and it seemed like it was our day, because there weren't many people ice skating, so we basically had the place to ourselves which was really fun.

We then came back to get Betsy's coffee mug and we got to this other "drive thru" where she just said bottom-less mug and she got her mug filled with coffee and she did not pay a thing.  I was really amazed and she explained to me everything and she said that she had paid $120 which is like +-R800 and she got the mug and she can go to that place and order coffee' as many times as would like for a whole year and I think that is great because I love..... coffee but I haven't had any since I came here.  I just stuck to apple juice which I also adore and I basically just decided to stay faithful to my South Africa coffee.

And so after the coffee we went down to the grocery store to get a few things, because we were having dinner with some of Betsy's family and we also got more of these other candy which I got addicted to and their a mixture of sweet and sour candy.  I love candy and so while we were at the store Betsy showed me this other way of paying for your grocery and you basically scan the products you've purchased yourself and you then pay and I think that is really awesome to do that yourself.

We came back from the store and Betsy started preparing things for dinner and hoping the weather doesn't change, because she wouldn't have liked it if it was possible to have dinner outside.   I was drawing and it was my first time that I had time to do anything normal so I then asked Betsy if she could put on for me cartoons for me so I drew a little and while waiting for dinner.
 
Then the time came when everyone started coming in and I met Betsy's father and apparently he worked at Kennywood for sometime and we spoke about that. He and his fiance had brought me a card with some money to spend while I'm in Pittsburgh and I think that was really generous of them.  They are really nice people I must say and, Betsy's brother (Bruce) , Betsy's sister in-law (Melissa), and their children Kelly and Kevin came and they and gifts for me they got me a whole kinds of different types of candy (which I don't know how am I going to start eating them) and a hockey t-shirt of a very good hockey player who plays for a team in Pittsburgh and his name is Crosby.  I also play hockey, so it was a really nice present for them to give to me.

We sat outside to have our dinner and we also have a very delicious dessert and we saw a couple of light bugs which Kevin and I tried to catch but there were so many so we did not get any which is ok I guess.   I really appreciate the time and effort that everyone took to meet me and for Betsy and to introduce me to her family, which I think was really great.  At the end I think everyone was tired including me because of how we had laughed so much.  I must say that Betsy has a very funny family especialy Kevin and Betsy's brother Bruce, actually everyone there had a great unique sense of humour. 

I still haven't figured out how am I going to start eating all of that candy! 


But well that was my day with Betsy's family!

we should travel with people as they search for the good, the true and the beautiful...

We are relieved and excited to announce that 3 Net Buddies from Nkosi's Haven are in Pittsburgh and New York City to visit their video mentors!  Keneilwe, Lucky and Christina arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday, June 11th and were greeted by video mentors, Lori and Will Allison, Betsy and Alan Hohlfelder and Liz DeVito!  The shouts of joy and the tears of recognition were a wonder to behold.

Together with Zoleka Petse, IF SA Coordinator, the Net Buddies are seeing the sights in Pittsburgh and New York City.  In addtion to soaking up all the love and wonder of finally seeing their one another, Net Buddies and their video mentors are acting as goodwill ambassadors for the wonderful mission of IF.

In Pittsburgh there is a traditional South African Braai (or barbeque) and a trip to Kennywood, a local amusement park, where Net Buddies will meet the Infinite Family community of mentors, supporters and friends.

In NYC, Net Buddies will attend a picnic in Central Park as well as attend a rooftop event at the home of Chris Boeke and Bill Jenks, long time supporters and IF Board member.

I will be posting excerpts from Lucky, Christina, Keneilwe and Zoleka's blog right here, so keep coming back!

We're posting pictures to the Infinite Family Facebook Page!  So check out all the wonderful experiences and insights first hand through FB!!

We are all OVER THE MOON with excitement.  We hope you'll catch a glimpse of the excitement through our blogs and photos, too!

Lazarus Effect: Finding hope and new life through a blog

When we were designing the blog on the Ezomndeni Net, the password protected internet platform where Net Buddies and their mentors interact, we had no idea how it would be used. We were hopeful that the children would write about their lives. We were hoping they would practice their English and improve their grammar skills. We hoped that it would be a forum for exchanging ideas.

Our hopes were not only realized, but exceeded beyond our imaginings.

The children are giving us their rawest emotions, their deepest hurts, their highest hopes...their dreams.

I've shared some of the posts. I've shared some of the trust that the children are placing in the community of Infinite Family.

The words jump from the page in neon green, or rainbow fonts. They are punctuated with smiley faces.

The words are misspelled. Capitalization is ignored. The blogs stand stark and bold, quickly offered snapshots of their internal world.

We are given such a gift in these words. Amazingly tender reflections on their brothers and sisters and grandmothers. Sweeping wisdom in the span of four lines.

We are very blessed by these children. Not just us, the community of Infinite Family, but the world. What these children have to teach us from their perspective and experience of life is so profound. Life lived without a mother. Life lived in the grips of poverty and deprivation. But life still lived. Lived fully. Lived with hope. Life lived with threadbare shirts ironed crisply, symbols of their intention to succeed. Their spotless school uniforms ask with dignity that they be taken not just seriously, but demand that we see them in terms of their intentions for themselves.

And they intend BIG things. Pilots, doctors, lawyers. Social workers, actors, writers.

Their crisply ironed shirts and the well groomed hair are what they can control in their lives. It is their way to say to the world...I am. I am this boy here. This boy with the clean face and the completed homework. I am not to be defined by the hunger I experience. I am not to be defined by the virus that runs through my veins. I am who I choose to be.

And I choose life.

I choose a future.

The pain is knowing how little choice they may have.

We need to make choices available to them. The choice to live a life extended by affordable medication. The choice to be able to use their skills and talents and passions to impact their world...their families, their communities, their country.

I want these children to impact my life, my world, the future. I want these children to be the leaders of their country. I believe in these children. Passionately believe in them.

I want you to believe in them, too.

We make it easy. 30 minutes a week from the comfort of your own home. A computer, a webcam and a headset...the tools to change your life...change a child's whole world...and our world, too. And if you don't have the time, support someone who does by giving a donation to IF on our website: www.infinitefamily.org

"The Family is a Haven in a Heartless World"

The children of Infinite Family lead very rough lives. They they live in orphanages and shacks. They eat meager meals shared by many children and very few adults. They try their hardest to make their few clothes look fresh and clean. They have big dreams and very few resources for making those dreams a reality.

Infinite Family attempts to make their lives less lonely by supporting the children with video mentors who share special one-on-one time with them every week.

But in the interim, the long hours in between those video conversations, Infinite Family hires community workers that we call Net Fundis. The Fundis share the same lives as the children, living in the same rough circumstances. Our Fundis are there for the children every day because of their big-hearted commitment to our Net Buddies who otherwise have very few consistent, caring adults in their lives.

To give you insight into how special our Fundi's are, I'd like to share with you a recent blog post that one of our Fundis posted on our internet platform, the Ezomndeni Net.


CHANGE MY LIFE

ALL THIS TIME I WAS THINKING THAT BEING A NET FUNDI WAS ABOUT REMINDING THE NET BUDDIES TO CHECK AND SEND EMAILS, TO WRITE THEIR BLOGS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ATTEND THEIR VCS ON TIME.

THEN ONE LITTLE NET BUDDY JUST CHANGED THAT. SHE SENT ME AN EMAIL. I READ IT AND I CHECKED HER PROFILE AND BLOGS ON THE EZOMNDENI NET. THEN I REALIZED HOW MUCH I'VE BEEN MISSING.

I JOINED FACEBOOK BECAUSE I WAS NEEDING A FRIEND, SISTER, BROTHER...SOMEONE TO TALK TO. I DID NOT THINK THAT I WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND THAT PERSON HERE AT INFINITE FAMILY.

I LOOKED AT THE NAME INFINITE FAMILY AS ANY ORDINARY NAME, BUT THE MESSAGE WHICH IS CLEAR IS THAT I HAVE A FAMILY HERE. I AM NOT ALONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH MY BABY SISTER, MARUTLA. YOU ARE THE NET BUDDY WHO OPENED MY EYES.


We hope that the words of our Net Fundi, Hlengiwe, will touch your heart and encourage you to be part of Infinite Family, a haven for so many struggling with the stigma of HIV/AIDS and poverty, who are looking for family in a heartless world.

Visit our website today to apply as a mentor or to donate to the work that supports Hlengiwe as a Net Fundi.

www.infinitefamily.org

Katy Keck receives University of Phoenix™ Volunteer Leader Award

Katy Keck, Chair of the Infinite Family Board of Directors, was named one of just ten Volunteer Leader Award Honorees by HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute and the University of Phoenix to  outstanding volunteer leaders in the nation.

The award, announced last night in Washington, D.C. during the National Volunteer Week festivities, celebrates the first anniversary of the landmark Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which authorized the largest expansion of national service in America in decades. This award includes a $10,000 grant, which Katy has designated to Infinite Family.

Katy’s volunteer work with Infinite Family is a motivating force for volunteers, donors and staff.  She has inspired friends, family and business partners to become active change agents in the campaign to impact youth in South Africa.  Her tireless efforts, insight and ideas, professional and organizational skills, big heart and buoyant sense of humor are a daily source of inspiration.

With an estimated 55 million youths orphaned and affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, Keck feels that Infinite Family’s mission to connect a caring adult mentor to children who often grow up alone is critical.  She believes that by creating these connections, children will begin to define their lives by what they have to gain, not by what they have lost.

She has been the lead volunteer for Infinite Family since it began. With her professional background in finance and event planning, she has produced the organization’s fundraising events, pulling together dozens of volunteers, sponsors and in-kind donors. Over the course of four years, her efforts have generated more than $200,000 in donations. In addition, IF benefits from Keck’s leadership in developing marketing and communication tools, development and fundraising, and her ability to recruit volunteers and video mentors.

IF’s leveraging of technology to connect adults around the globe to youth growing up alone in Africa is an inspiring step towards ensuring that every child has a mentor.  Katy Keck is a 2010 University of Phoenix Volunteer Leader honoree because of her dedication, faith, willingness and selfless efforts to make sure that every child who needs a mentor, no matter where they are, can find one.

Congratulations, Katy!