Back to school, missing teeth, and bye bye chicken pox

In South Africa, January ushers in a new school year. For us teachers this means new year plans, new classes, and new faces, as well as old. I do enjoy the start of the year. All the old students so excited to be a year older and a grade bigger. I have the enjoyment of seeing how the grades were split, and listening to the new voices to determine how each class will come together for my choirs. I do choir with each class, this means 13 different choirs ranging in age from kindergarten to grade 7. These kids are so eager to hear and begin learning their new songs, and I am again amazed at how their voices are maturing and growing. When I first started teaching in this school Jan 2009, so few students were able to match pitches or follow a tune, Now, 3 years later, there are only a handful of students (out of 200+) that struggle to match a note or follow a tune - it is such a joy to watch them grow and progress in confidence and ability!

My three little ones were also super excited to head back to school. This year Sihle will be joining Pamela "upstairs" in the big class at the creshe. Pamela is in grade R (Kindergarten) and Sihle is in RR (pre-kindergarten). They are both tracing letters, numbers, patterns. . .and learning so much. They brought back their work books Friday so I could see their work. They were SO proud!!!!

Musa has moved into the middle group (ages 2-3) and is so happy to be doing big work. By the end of last year he was letting us know that he wanted nothing to do with the baby group. He would try each and every day to climb over and join the "big kids", so he is quite happy to this year be allowed to join them.

Here they are all ready for their first day of school - they were awake even before I was. . .too cute!

Over the holidays Pamela lost her 1st tooth!!! She's 5 and a half, so I guess she is old enough; but it still caught me a little by surprise. How it is possible that my baby has grown so big? Where did the time go. . .This past week she lost her 2nd tooth, so now she is missing both bottom teeth (although her first tooth is already quite grown-in). 

She was so excited to learn about the tooth fairy. She wanted to know where she lived (in a castle in the sky, of course!), and was thrilled to learn that the tooth fairy would take her tooth, and leave behind some money for her - she REALLY liked that idea!

This is how I found her the next morning! She was one happy little girl :)

She looks so cute with her gappy smile. I just had to take a few pics for Gramma!

Beautiful smile Pam, but gramma can't see your missing teeth, try again. . .

There we go, bulls eye!

Sisterly love - thanks Ellie for the beautiful "hello kitty" headbands - we LOVE them!!!

I think, hope, pray. . .that we are all done with the chicken pox. Sihle had them, Musa had them, and I waited and waited for Pammy to get them - but she never did???!!! I wonder if she had chicken pox before arriving at TLC. She was 21 months, so I guess it's possible. . .

Here's a few pics of dear Musa with the spots. . .

 My cheeky boy - even with spots!!! He's now spot free, and back to normal. . .

All the best until next time,

Love the van Dijks

Ayanda was given wings

I received the very sad news today that Ayanda passed away in hospital. She fought so hard, clinging to life, I really did believe she would pull through. Doctors had recently diagnosed her with a rare blood disorder, where the cells do not get enough oxygen. My heart aches to know that she spent her whole life here on earth just fighting to live each day. She didn't know the joy of a Mother's arms, she didn't even learn to smile, she fought so hard, and for what? I always find myself questioning why, when a little one is born, and struggles so hard, only to pass away too soon. It makes my heart ache, and there's always that question mark, why?

What was her purpose here on earth, why let her live, and fight, and never allow her to know joy and health? Amongst all the questions there is one thing I do know. She did know love, and through this love maybe she did find some joy. She had the TLC volunteer's hearts (and ours) wrapped around her little finger. One volunteer in particular fell fully and completely in love. Hannah, a volunteer from Germany became a "stand in Mommy" for dear Ayanda. She would visit her in hospital almost daily, and when the nurses saw her coming they would say "Ayanda" here comes your Mommy, she's here to see you. . .
Ayanda touched so many hearts, and had so many people around the world praying for her. I still don't know the why, but I'm so glad she arrived at TLC so she could at least experience love for her few short months here on earth. Sweet little Ayanda, you will be sorely missed - may you rest in peace in our Makers embrace. . .

Sweet angel - rest in peace

Some really GREAT News!!!

Yesterday I received some really, really wonderful news. The kind of news where you shake your head and say "am I dreaming?" Yesterday I received an email from the registrar of adoptions in SA, saying that I will be allowed to start the adoption process for Pamela and Musa in July of this year. As of July I will have been living in South Africa for 5 years!!!

Here's a little background. I moved here in July 2007, originally planning to volunteer at TLC for 2 years and then I had every intention of returning to Canada. Well, during those 2 years I fell madly in love with 2 little girls and decided to stay longer in order to be able to adopt them (They both had special needs, and it was very unlikely they would ever find adoptive families). I began Sihle's adoption process the very end of January 2009. Her adoption was granted the first week of July - only 5 and a half months from start to finish. For those of you in the adoption world, you know this is REALLY quick. I then started working to adopt Pamela. Her process was quite a lot more complicated for a variety of reasons, and progressed at a snails pace. Then in Jan 2010 we found out that Pamela had a baby brother, a brother who had actually been at TLC for over a month, although we hadn't known he was Pamela's brother By the time we found out he was 7 weeks old. I just couldn't split siblings, so I began working to get custody of him as well. This all took some time, during which a new children's act was passed in South Africa. One change that affected me was that I now had to be a permanent resident in order to adopt. This meant 5 years on a work visa!!! I only got my work visa in March 2009, so I wouldn't be able to apply for permanent residency status until March 2014 - only after this status had been granted to me (usually takes 6-12 months) would I be able to apply to adopt. . .

Last year I found a wonderful lawyer. She works as the director of Child Law, at the university of Pretoria. She agreed to represent Pamela and Musa (she only represents children), and decided that if necessary she would help take our case to high court and then constitutional courts (trying to change some part of the law, which would them allow me to proceed with the adoptions.) In November she wrote to the registrar of adoptions explaining my situation. She expected a flat out no, in which case we would then begin making a case for high court. Instead, they asked for my social workers info, and began emailing with my lawyer and social worker. Then yesterday I received the email telling me I could proceed with the adoptions in July, as I would have been in the country 5 years by then. They wouldn't require me to be a permanent resident, just the 5 years here was enough - this is literally a miracle. By next year this time, Pam and Musa could be van Dijk's, so so amazing - GOD is faithful. He is the only one who could have softened hearts, and planted just the right people in my path. Thank you Father in heaven!

OK, time for an Ayanda update. She is out of the ICU, but still on oxygen, and super strong IV antibiotics. Doctors still can't seem to find where her infection is. She has been getting lots of different blood products as her blood levels are not where they should be. Please keep praying - she is fighting hard. . .

Other exciting news, Sihle and Musa have the Chicken Pox. Just waiting for Pamela to start popping the spots. . .I am SO SO thankful that Faith is here. She graciously watched a rather unhappy Sihle for the week, as I had to be at school teaching. Musa woke up with spots this morning, so next week he'll be home with Faith. . .isn't God good to provide a wonderful nurse for my little ones:)

Dear Keshia had just gotten Sihle all creamed up. This is her in a "happy minute". She goes from this to sobbing and heartbroken in 5 seconds flat. . .lots and lots and lots of hugs being given out. . .

So, I think that the big news around here for now. . .

Until next time,
Love the van Dijk family

My greatest wish - a forever family

I've been meaning to post at some point in the future about a wonderful organization called Reece's Rainbow. It was started by a lady called Andrea Roberts back in 2006. She had a son born with Down's Syndrome, and after learning how many children with Down's Syndrome in Eastern Europe are sent to adult mental institutions shortly after their 4th birthday, decided she needed to advocate for them. Reece's Rainbow now has hundreds of children listed with various special needs (Down's Syndrome, CP, HIV, Spina Bifida and many many more). These children are all available to be adopted by US and Canadian families (married and single). 

Please take a moment to go to their website, it's http://reecesrainbow.org/

 I often browse through the faces, there are a few that really tug at my heart, and I pray for them daily. Some now have families working to bring them home, others sadly still do not. . . 

 This is Alix, this is what we know about him.

"This boy has many challenges, but is said to be very smart and a leader within his group.  He is mobile — he rolls around and is quick.  He also plays well with toys, and seems to have adapted to his limitations quite well."

Alix has been waiting for a family for far to long. Back when he was first posted on RR, my little Sihle happened by while I was looking at his picture. She said,"Mommy, that little boy has no arms. Does he have a Mom, or is he still waiting for his family?". I said, no sweetie, he doesn't have a Mom yet, we can pray that he does one day soon. She looked really thoughtful, and then quite worried. She said, "if he has no arms, and no Mommy, how does he eat, who feeds him? I tried to assure her that I'm sure someone must feed him, but that he was probably sad because he lived everyday in his crib, and never got to play and know what it felt like to be special . Again Sihle thought, then she said, "we can be his family, we can feed and love him. He can have a Mommy and two sisters, and a little brother. We'll all love him lots, can we be his family?!

Oh, my heart could have burst. The love and care my 3 year old showed put me to shame. She saw past his outward appearance, and really saw HIM. She worried that he may be hungry, that he was unloved, and without more than a moments thought was willing to share her love (and her Mom) with this little boy who so badly needed both.

Tonight I was once again browsing through faces in RR, when I came to a face I hadn't seen before. As I read his profile I nearly started crying, this could be my Sihle, my dear special, heart of gold Sihle. Like Sihle he too is 4, he too has CP, but not any CP, he has Spastic Diplegia, the same kind my Sihle has. Sihle was originally terrified to walk, afraid she would fall and hurt herself. It took years for her confidence to grow enough that she would attempt to walk on her own (combined with special leg braces and lots of therapy). She too is SO very sensitive. One word of reprimand and she is in tears, her heart breaking. . .

Just look at his picture and read through what his profile says.

Boy, Born April 2007
Malcom has spastic displegic cerebral palsy. He is scheduled to be transferred to a mental institution in April 2012
From a missionary who knows him:  Malcolm needs family badly. He is very emotional, sensitive and not a leader by nature and is being hurt by older and physically healthy children in the orphanage. He can hardly walk but retains sensitivity in the feet. There is a chance only in the presence of caring and loving parents Malcolm can walk independently in a future but in the orphanage environment the child is afraid of everything even walking. Malcolm has a favorite little toy: stuffed tiger, he carries it everywhere, he kisses it, puts to sleep, worries about it. Malcolm is interested in all new, he knows the names and colors, understands commands, has attachments to friends in a group, he goes on contact easily and is pleased to dialogue.
He can stand and sit independently, moves around on the knees. He can not walk and is afraid to start trying to walk.
Malcolm will need a smaller, patient, loving, experienced family to help him heal from the trauma in his life.  Full medical records will be available soon.


This could be my Sihle, if she were in an institution this would be her. Can you imagine this sweet and sensitive boy sent to an adult mental institution? Can you imagine him living in a metal crib 24/7 because he is unable to walk? Can you imagine him learning to self-sooth by banging his head on the bars of his crib, by biting and scratching himself, just to get some sort of stimulation - this could be my Sihle, this could be her fate.
And so my heart breaks, because this little boy, this darling boy made in God's imagine has so much potential. He could be someone's loved and adored son. He could be a brother and grandson. He could be loved and adored. . .

My daughter Sihle is already asking about her 5th birthday in June. She is telling me what kind a cake she wants, which friends will come - oh she is so so eager. She knows she will be loved to bits and probably even a little bit spoiled. . .

 Malcolm, what does he get for his 5th birthday? Let me tell you, it gets him transferred to an ADULT mental institution. Yes, you read that right, a child who "is interested in all new, he knows the names and colors, understands commands, has attachments to friends in a group" - he will end up in an adult mental institution because in his country no one sees beyond the fact that he can not walk. They don't see that with splints and therapy and a family he likely could walk and that even if he never does he will be such a JOY and BLESSING. No, they only see the fact that he doesn't walk. . .

And so my heart breaks, my eyes tear up and overflow, because this could be my Sihle, my dear, stubborn, sweet, caring, sensitive, loving, stubborn, heart of gold Sihle.

Where is Malcolm's Mommy? Where is his family? Are YOU his family? Please pray with me that this dear boy can look forward to a forever family instead of a lifetime in a mental institution.

 

 

My Future Mechanics!

So here we are 4 ladies and 4 little ones. . .for the most part we do pretty well. But one area we have issues, BIG issues is when it comes to our cars. Between the 4 of us, I don't think we could do much more than change a flat tire (if we really, really had to, and we were all there helping). Thankfully we have 2 amazing AMAZING friends who help us ladies when it comes to vehicle maintenance. This morning Franko and Allen arrived with a mixture of oil, oil filters, air filters, jumper cables and tools. Faith's car hasn't been driven for nearly a year (battery is flat flat), and so needed quite a tune up. Mine just needed an oil and filter change. . .

Pam, Sihle, Musa and Mario were very interested in what Franko and Allen were doing with the cars. We lined them up (so they were out of the way) and they watched with great interest. (Musa wanted to be in the middle of the action, and so not very impressed to be "lined up").

Then I had a thought, a GREAT thought, what if these 4 eager beavers become mechanics - I would never need to stress again:) Sooooooooooo. . .

Put Pamela to work jacking up the car:)

 

Sihle kindly decided to change my tire (will have to keep an eye on those bolts)!

Musa was eager to dispose of the air filter:)

 Mario got down and dirty to find where the oil was coming out:)

AND. . . Musa got his wish - to be right in the center of the action :)

While they were here we also pulled out any other job we needed help with. Franko fixed my pool pump (he found a rock stuck in the "snake"). They helped us hang pictures and wall hangings, helped sort out car papers, (had a builder come to draw plans for our extra bedroom,) and Franko talked to him, explained what needed to be where. . .those two men were SO helpful. All I can say is thanks a million times over - friends are so amazing! Maybe, just maybe one day in the future it will be my little ones grown all big who will be out there puttering away on our cars - I dream, but sometimes dreams come true :)

Ayanda needs more prayers please

Little Ayanda was admitted back to hospital yesterday. She is in ICU, in an incubator on oxygen, with lots of wires and drips. Doctors say she is septic again. . .still don't know what her underlying infection is? Please keep this little dear in your prayers <3

A visit with Rowen and Sabrina

Yesterday we went to visit Rowen and Sabrina. For those of you that don't know these two dears, let me tell you a little about them. 

Rowen turned 5 in November. He was born in a very poor state hospital here in Johannesburg. Sadly for him he was born with Hydrocephalus. This is a condition where fluid builds up in the brain and a shunt needs to be placed in order to allow the fluid to drain. Without this shunt the head continues to grow as the fluid builds up, eventually this causes brain damage. Now in Canada, and most other 1st world countries this is a condition which can be quite easily treated. A shunt is placed shortly after birth, and the child can live a full and normal life. Sadly this was not what happened for dear Rowen. As I mentioned he was born in a very poor hospital, and sadly had no one to advocate for him. TLC gets many babies from this hospital; they are usually abandoned at birth, and TLC is called to come fetch them. For many months they noticed this little baby with a very big head in the ward for abandoned babies, and asked about him. They were told time and again that TLC couldn't take him until he'd had his shunt surgery. Every time they went for another baby they would notice how his head had grown larger, and they would ask again. Always the same answer. TLC offered to bring him to TLC and get his surgery at the hospital that we use. No, no, we had to wait till he'd had Surgery. . .Believe it or not, he was 2 and a half before he had his shunt placed. By this time his head had grown so large that it had caused severe brain damage. We were finally called to pick him up from hospital. When he arrived at TLC he could barely move his head. He could not sit, crawl. . .he was tiny and so so delayed due to spending 2 and a half years in a hospital cot. Over the next 2 years he improved so very much. He learned how to sit, crawl, pull himself up on furniture and walk holding hands. He could even take 2 independent steps between people. He did so very well. He was Mr. cheerful, and always getting into mischief (with the biggest smile on his face). Sadly TLC was unable to find him a forever family, and his needs were to great to move him into the main house. So 6 months ago he was placed in an institution for children and adults with Mental disabilities. :(

Sabrina will be 5 in May. She was born 13 weeks prematurely in a hospital near to TLC. She only weighed 1 kg (2.2 lbs) at birth, and spent the next 5 months in hospital fighting for her life. She finally came to TLC when she was 5 months of age. She was still very small, only a little over 3 kgs - (6.6 lbs), and had to be on continuous oxygen as her lungs were very week. She was constantly in and out of hospital with chest infections, and there were a couple times we weren't sure she would pull through. By the time she was 1 she had been diagnosed with CP and cortical blindness. By the age of 4 she could sit on her own, and repeat words like, "hello", "outside", play", "food". TLC was not able to find her a forever family, and her needs were also to great to accommodate in the main house. She was also placed into the institution 6 months ago. Faith who has moved here from the US is working to get Sabrina into her foster care. Pray that the process goes smoothly for her so that Sabrina doesn't need to be in the institution any longer than necessary.

Yesterday Keshia, Faith, my kids and I went to visit them both - they were SO happy for hugs and cuddles. Sabrina grabbed handfuls of Faiths clothing and would not let go for at least the first hour. Ok, here's some pics:)

Doesn't Sabrina look so happy for cuddles and love! She really is getting SO big. . .

 

Rowen was also VERY happy to cuddle. He's usually too busy to sit still for cuddles - but yesterday in between playing with my kids, he was very content to just sit and be loved on:)

Sihle and Pamela grew up at TLC with Rowen and Sabrina. They were both so excited to visit them. They were so well behaved, we were there for nearly 3 hours. They loved every minute spent playing with Rowen. Even Musa joined in - they were too sweet!

The girls loved to help Rowen walk around the room - look at their smiles:)

On a basic level Rowen and Sabrina appear well cared for. They are well fed and clean. However, there are 25 children/adults in their group, and only 2 to 3 care givers. These children all require a lot of care, so I don't think they get out of their wheel chairs very often. Sabrina is no longer able to stand up, her legs are very week - and her speech is far less than 6 months ago. She now makes sounds instead of actual words (could be because her caregivers don't speak English? ) Rowen is still his cheeky self, I think he gets out of his chair more often than Sabrina. . .

As I spent the morning loving on these two, I was again so sad they are stuck in an institution. In a family they would both thrive - they have so much untapped potential. I think of my dear Sihle. If she were still in a children's home, or in this institution I doubt she would be able to walk today. Without her specialized splints, her weekly physio, and the love and care a family can provide, she would be such a different child. I look at Rowen and Sabrina, and I can't help imagining how different their lives could be. . .

Sabrina has a chance at a happy ending, but dear, dear Rowen, it's eats at me that he is stuck there with no hope of ever knowing a Mom's love. . .

 

Faith is planning to volunteer there with the hope of spending some time with Sabrina while she waits to sit her Nursing exam here in SA.(Visitor's are only welcome once a month). Thanks for your prayers,

The van Dijk family

A little Angel needs your prayers

We have a tiny little angel in the nursery right now who could use some prayers. I can't give out her actual name due to confidentiality, so I'll be calling her Ayanda instead.

Ayanda arrived at TLC back in early December. She was 2 and a half weeks old and weighed 1.8 kgs (3.9 lbs). She was very ill on arrival to TLC and Keshia and I admitted her to Bara hospital the following day. They diagnosed her with VERY bad thrush, and sepsis (this is what they say when babies have an infection, but doctors don't know where). 

She was in hospital for a little over 3 weeks, and was discharged back to TLC the middle of last week. She is doing a little better. She is drinking! weighs a little over 2 kgs (4.4 lbs) and appears to be more comfortable; however, her colour is still very pasty, and while in hospital she developed small brown spots all over her head, face and neck. The doctors have never seen it before, and have no idea what it is? 

May God bless you all this New Year,

Love the van Dijk family

Pictures over the years

Pictures are such a special gift. They catch a moment in time, and when you look back, it often brings back many other memories. Keshia was kind enough to take a few pictures of my three with me. Unfortunately trying to get 3 little ones to all look and smile at the same time - not easy. . .

Thankfully the ones I took of just them turned out much better:)

Musa - I will NOT smile. . .

Oh, all right - I'll smile for you Gramma:

We've been spending lots of time at TLC helping with their gorgeous little babies. The picture below was of the "nest" babies 2 months ago. (Nest babies are newborns till about 3 months of age).

This picture below is of the Nest babies now. So so cute, I could eat them right up!

This picture below is of the "fledgie" babies now. They range in age from 3 to 6 months.

As I was looking through these pictures it made me think back to when my three were at TLC. This here is my Pamela when she was with the "Lions". She is the 7th (from left to right).

This is of my dear Sihle when she was in the "Grubs". She is the one on the far right.

This is of Sihle when she was in Fledgies. She's in the middle wearing white.

And this here is my Musa when he was a Grub. He's top right.

So many beautiful babies, so many treasured memories. . .

Happy New Year!!!

Love the van Dijk family