women's shelter

i had the privilege of visiting swaziland's first women's shelter yesterday. it has just opened and the staff are anxious for their first clients to arrive. the location is a secret and i was honoured that they trusted me (and marisse and megan) enough to take us there. it is very basic; a few beds, kitchen and bathroom and a working garden. they hope to have a stove and school supplies (to help the women learn some skills so they can work and earn their own money).

i hope it works for them. there are 2 men on the premises which i wondered was a good idea or not. i also wonder what people in the community will think when they see women being dropped off there (hoping that they WILL come, by referral of course). because the idea of a shelter is foreign to most people here, the few women who have been offered this help have been afraid to come. i should research the history of shelters in canada in hopes i can offer some suggestions. I have a little of bit of money to donate to an organization and i think i'll donate it to the shelter (thanks david and linda). such exciting times.

totally off topic. i've never spent so much time with any other person/people as i have with the marisse and megan. we have spent every day, every night and almost meal together since august 10th! at first i was really nervous, i have never had a roommate before and i really need my own space. but *knock on wood* things are great. we laugh a lot and take the piss out of each other when need be.