Thursday 1st April
Karnagie Sharp's diary: Day 2 | |
|  | | An example of South Africa's squatter camps, an area whereAfricans have settled to get away from harsh conditions. |
| | On Tuesday April 27 South Africa celebrates 10 years of democracy. BBC Radio Berkshire and six local schools have launched a project to help provide a congratulatory meal to a deprived school in South Africa.
Our reporter Karnagie Sharp is in South Africa to help get the project off the ground. |
| | | Karnagie Sharp's diary Day 2
Today was an extremely difficult day for me. It was one of those times when you try to convince yourself that everything in life happens for a reason, or at least that's what my parents always told me. The day started at 5:30 am, with the "normal" routine. A nice warm shower and a decent breakfast. I had the choice of fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, eggs, bacon and all the things we take for granted. I settled for a glass of fruit drink and two slices of toast.  | | Karnie meets pupil Philamon |
My mission today was to walk half the distance two children at Nonhlevu Secondary school normally walk on a daily basis. The distance to school and back usually covers about 12 kilometres both ways. I finally got to their homes at about 6am and once again I was greeted with respect and a deep sense of appreciation, as if going to their homes and being interested in their lives was going to be a turning point in the way they lived. The children start their day at about 4:30 each morning, they have chores to do. They take cold baths and eat basic food, in some cases they don't eat at all.  | | Breakfast for Andile |
Dry bread is a common quick and accessible food. These children don't know any better…or do they? They must know that life is built on economic greed, that not far from their dilapidated homes, people live in luxurious places, that there just might be a way out of their situation…but have they been taught to dream? I grappled with the idea of feeding them with fragile information about chasing their dream. I felt guilty. I wanted to help these children. These children are appreciative, they are hopeful and they listened when I told them that they need to chase the furthest star, that life will be good to them if they were determined. | | An example of South Africa's squatter camps, an area whereAfricans have settled to get away from harsh conditions. |
Their hopeful faces took that in, they were pleased and they were grateful. They are practical though, they know that we can't perform miracles, they're just excited that their situation has been noted and perhaps we could help them in small ways…
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