I’ve never really liked cats. They are pretty sneaky, evil creatures to me and I’m very allergic to them. So, I truly don’t have experience herding them. I’ve used the expression “It’s like herding cats!” many times in my life, although I really don’t know what I’m talking about. Most of the times I’ve said that was when I was teaching. It was usually on a field trip to a hands-on museum or the zoo. Kids go wild when you remove them from the confines of the classroom. While I am not teaching in a classroom any more, I can say that I’ve experienced the herding process in a third world country.
The year 2013 was really a great year for me. Living in Swaziland, working the most wonderful people on the planet, loving on beautiful children, and much more. I did have the honor to work with about sixty-seven teenagers almost every Saturday in 2013. Through the non-profit in Swaziland, Timbali Crafts, I got to work with some amazing girls on Saturdays as they sewed fabric headbands. We would gather, cut fabric, cut elastic, sew, have a snack, have a Bible lesson/devotion, and just hang out. After a few hours, I would leave and head to another Care Point to do the same all over. Sometimes the girls would open up about personal issues…abuse, no food at home, sick family members, and even pregnancy. While these are all heavy issues, the girls felt safe to talk and share. If nothing else, I was a listening ear for them. The sole reason that the girls met on Saturdays was to earn money for their education. Like many other countries, Swaziland’s educational system is not free. Students have to pay school fees, purchase uniforms, notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, books, etc. It is very hard on families to find a way to earn enough money to send one child to school, much less six. These girls worked all year to be able to go to school in 2014. Schools in Swaziland begin mid-January and run through early December.
January 17th was my 41st birthday. I am feeling the life of a forty year old…not able to do the things I once did, sitting in certain positions is painful, popping in my bones, aches and pains in places I didn’t even know I had, and on and on. While many people have large parties or big trips for their Big Day, I choose to spend mine with some amazing teenagers in the largest town in Swaziland. I had received, from another missionary, some really cute, zebra-print, flip-flops for my birthday and I wanted to wear them on my special day. I was meeting twelve girls in Manzini to shop for uniforms and/or school supplies. Since school begins on Tuesday, January 21st, most all of the entire country waited until the Friday before to shop for needed items. Here I was with twelve girls, ages 13-17, in town with about 250,000 others, but I looked good in my new shoes. Our journey began by purchasing backpacks for most of the girls. They all picked brightly colored bags and the first time I cried that day was when they all put them on and posed for each other. They were so happy to be able to pick something out on their own. Not someone giving them their leftovers, second-hand items, or something they think they would want. It was a wonderful as we left the first store only to ruin that sweet moment when I realized that we had lost one girl. Remember…town is as busy as ANY Black Friday that I have ever participated in…and I lost a girl. While herding the group together, I had to come up with a plan to find the lost “cat”. I sent two back to retrace our steps and to meet us at next store. While entering the next store, the girls went berserk! While most of these girls have probably been to town before, they probably have never had the chance to enter a store with money in hand, to purchase items they need and want. The store manager asked me to control them. I tried to gather the girls and calm them…but to no avail. They were literally running through the store, grabbing items and throwing it their basket with the biggest smiles on their faces that I have ever seen. I shrugged at the store manager and said, “Sorry”. The lost “cat” returned and completed her shopping with wide-eyes and a large grin.
By the third hour of shopping and walking ten plus street blocks five times, my feet were starting to hurt. I noticed a large spot, between each toe, where my cute new shoes were rubbing. By the end of the afternoon, I had four blisters and two very sore feet. I would get the blisters all over if I could have that much fun again. The “herding cats” phrase is now one that I own. Trying to get twelve teenagers/cats to all cross the street, with their packages, and not hit by a car is definitely an accomplishment. It’s my birthday, so I’m entitled to have a little fun. I laughed with these silly girls. I giggled as they tried to get me to buy 4 ½ inch heels. I cried as they asked me if they could use the money they earned to buy their little brother a pair of school slacks. I rejoiced with them as they finally found the school vest they needed. I crashed at the park with them when we were finished. I am feeling like a 41 year old. What an amazing birthday! I just hope next year can come close to this one.
You can look at the amazing headbands by visiting www.timbalicrafts.org. Your support by purchasing a headband is helping a young girl receive an education.
