In March (2003) I travelled with my brother Phil and his friend Hazel to South Africa to spend three weeks with our sister Jacqui and her husband Karl who emigrated to South Africa Christmas 2002

The place they had wanted and expected to purchase was sold the day before they arrived in South Africa. This was a bit of a setback but it took them about six weeks to find another place which they both liked.

This was in Kwazulu Natal, nearest small town Howick, nearest local airport Durban, nearest international airport Johannesburg.

They have bought a small farm, about 16 acres, consisting of the main house, four smaller cottages, outhouses and a large maintenance shed and utility buildings.

To see their house and pictures of the local town and country go here Sunningdale This will open another window. When finished close the window and this one will be behind it.

The three staff employed by the previous owners were kept on and they are excellent. They are Nesta and Gladness who work in the house and Mugarba who is the gardener

It took about six weeks for them to move in and make the changes that they wanted after which Jacqui made contact with the local Bahá'ís in Howick.

Now a year and a bit later she is part of a wonderful community as I found out for myself when in March of this year I went out there and met them all for myself.

 We held the feast in Jacqui and Karl's home where I was able to meet most though not all of the local Bahá'ís. It was a wonderful experience for me and I had a great time as I joined in with the singing. I wanted to hug all these friends for giving me such a good feeling of the Bahá'í World that I am privileged to be a part of. I, being English, can't sing but they all sang so joyously and loudly and well that I just had to join in. I told the friends that this was all a new experience for me as I do not remember one feast in England where we sang like this. We have music and wonderful chanting but not singing.

My sister introduced me to Steve and his wife Karen, two wonderful Bahá'ís. Steve talked to me during the B-B-Q and said that he had relatives in England and that I might know them. I asked who they were and he said - Wendy Momen is my sister and Moojan her husband... Jokingly I said the names rang a bell! He looked at me strangely but as I pointed out, in such a large community you just can't know everyone! I think he realised I was joking and we got on well after that! Karen was running the Ruhi book 1 study circle and invited me to join them. Our community at home have done book 1 and are now on book two but it was nice attending theirs and having a refresher as I really enjoyed book 1.

Jacqui also helps out at the Bahá'í Sunday classes and helps feed and teach the street children at the Angel centre. I went with her to meet the diverse group of people who run this centre for the children. The children are the ones whose parents cannot afford to send them to school or they can afford the school but not afford the uniform and books which they have to have to attend school. The cost of the school fees and the uniform and books is about 450 rand or £40 pounds in English money.

Since I have been back home my sister has informed me that Gladness who works for her in the home has become a Bahá'í. I knew that she was interested and attending Sunday school with Jacqui when I was there so was really pleased to hear this news.

I cannot say enough about the work that Steve and Karen have done in SA but take a look at the community. They are really wonderful and I can't wait to go back and see them all again....My sister and her husband Karl are okay too.........!

The community in Jacqui's garden

The lady seated in the front is Karen and her two boys. Steve her husband is in the back row right standing next to my sister. For more information on this community visit SA Bahá'í News

The Malawi Children

They are learning database management or is it Tomb Raider?

This little family come from Malawi and do not have ID's so are unable to go to school. Jacqui met them at the Angel Care Centre. These kids are amazing - so intelligent and very polite. I met their Dad, a really nice person who earned a living buying in Malawi and selling to tourists in SA. It worked really well until September 11 when the world suddenly changed for everyone

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