GERALD'S LETTER

Hi Sandra,

Hope all is well. Sorry that we can not keep in touch, our schedule has just been so busy that we come home exhausted, having to feed the boys and see that everything runs smoothly.
Anyways it's been both amazing and challenging being here. I didn't think that it would be this demanding. I have however learnt a lot from the time spent here. I would like to give you a summary of the things we have done thus far but it's such a mouth full. Ayanda is fine and since then we had 2 patients which I had to take to the hospital. Two nights ago it was Jonathan with ear problems that kept him up all night and last night it was Thandisizwe who was feeling a bit dizzy but he is fine, sugar levels were low.

Anyway they watched Stomp, which was very exciting and the boys absolutely loved it. They played a development side of professional team called Tottenham Hotspurs. They lost the game 4-2 but it was a fair result. The boys they played against were humungous and the coaches were very impressed with our boys and their discipline. They want to do something with The Homestead next year because they are thinking of coming to South Africa next year. They are working together with ABSA. They also visited the ground which has a capacity of 60,000 and got to see the ground and go in the dressing room of the home team which was amazing for them. Saturday they played a tournament in Regents Park . They had the eyes and ears of everybody. The people were once again very impressed with the discipline and politeness.

Anyway they reached the semi final and lost on penalties. Thulisile won a beautiful trophy for player of the tournament. The winning team was the team we lost to but after the game they came to us and gave us the winning trophy because they were so impressed by our boys and their attitude. FANTASTIC! I was very proud of them and they really stood out amongst the English brats. They were really rude to myself and Craig and the boys were very tempted to lay in a few punches...but we managed to contain ourselves.

We were also invited to one of Michelle's friends for supper which the boys loved because she had so much entertainment. They also watched the England game after that. Yesterday they went to the David Beckham Academy which is very very very big and we were the first group from Africa to visit them. They were very impressed with the boys and the coaches and physio were very helpful. David Beckham's physio even had some time to see to 3 of the boys which was bizzare!

The facilities were amazing and they boys got some kit as well.The food was fantastic and the boys really enjoyed the day. They sang for all the coaches at the academy and did their little gum boot dancing which the staff was thrilled about. They are also coming out to South Africa and would be keen to meet us again. One of the boys, Sandile (the best on the trip so far,) got an invitation to see Brazil play Argentina at the new Emirates Stadium in London . He was over the moon.

Today we went to see another Premier league team train. We were not allowed close to the players and were standing very far from them. Then the manager of the team came over to us and welcomed us and invited us onto the circumference of the field. This is unheard of! Afterwards they donated more kit to the team. The boys have gone out tonight to see Billy Elliot. On Thursday they are visiting a school and on Friday the Harrodian School event happens. I met Peter and his wife again on Friday and the booklet looks very nice. We are watching a live game at one of the richest clubs in the world... Chelsea on Saturday.

As I said it's been overwhelming yet challenging. I must admit that it is very difficult to manage everything but Michelle has been great in getting everything organised. Roles and responsibilities have been a problem but Charmaine and Miemie is being a great help and they are really making things easy for us. I don't know whether my 10 days leave is going to be enough but I am looking forward to looking after Gerald again.

We have been in contact with Chelsea and the Football Association in England who organised us the tickets for Saturdays game. They want to donate a whole lot of money to the Homeless World Cup and because we are playing the exibition game they want the boys to go the field in front of 60000 people and accept the cheque on behalf of the Homeless World Cup. I think Mel Young will also be present. So that is also great news for the boys and great that we could have played a role in this.

Anyway that's a wrap for now. Thank you for the support.

Regards from London ,
Gerald.