Things can only improve with love and compassion

by Jean James

Last updated at 20:10, Wednesday, 22 February 2012

North Cumbrian woman Jean James is spending a month in one of the most deprived communities on Earth - South Africa's Elgin Valley. The area suffers from high unemployment, extreme poverty, alcohol and drug abuse and HIV infection rates of up to 50 per cent. She's recording her experiences and thoughts here in a heart-rending blog...

Have your say

I'm sure you'll hold the Overberg in your heart for a while. It's such a special place. Thanks for visiting

Posted by Vanessa Alberts on 28 February 2012 at 11:00

Thanks for your beautiful example of global care and responsibility. You might be interested in visiting the Maharishi Institute in Johannesburg (www.maharishiinstitute.org) that helps low income students prepare for higher education while developing their inner creativity and intelligence.

Posted by Chris on 23 February 2012 at 21:18

Hi Jean. We met you when you first arrived here. You are doing fantastic work. Very well done.
As you know we are good friends of Alan & Chris and helped quite a bit in Lebanon with the local community in the early days about the creche arrived. Keep up the good work and lets hope some help with funding comes along soon.

Posted by John & Irene Saunders on 18 February 2012 at 18:05

Hello Lovely Lady, totally amazing what you are doing. Make sure you treasure every soul wrenching and beautiful moment of this life changing experience. Oh by the way, the baboon will probably find you and it will be when you least expect it ha ha xxxxx

Posted by Godzilla on 18 February 2012 at 16:00

Hi Jean, thanks for providing this blog, it is giving a great account of your trip... and reminds us of the massive problem of child poverty and hunger in the world which we are so sheltered from in the UK.x

Posted by Sue Thomson on 17 February 2012 at 16:53

Sounds like a really incredable experiance. Having read the blog it really opened my eyes as to how lucky we are in Britain to have our National Health Service.

Posted by Andrew on 16 February 2012 at 16:23

Just been reading your blog what an amazing experience for you! Well done. So heartbreaking for the young babies and mum's. Cant wait to hear all the stories Hayley xx

Posted by Hayley Watson on 16 February 2012 at 12:37

Jean is proving to be not just a brilliant fundraiser, someone with a heart of gold, but also an accomplished journalist! Thandi Friends Project is very fortunate to have her volunteering for us. Thank You, Jean.

Posted by Helen Wilberforce, Chair - Thandi Friends Project on 12 February 2012 at 19:58

Well done Jean, amazing experience, and hope you all learn from each other. Something to tell your Grandchildren, they will be so proud of you!

Be safe

Alison C

Posted by Alison C on 9 February 2012 at 18:33

Well done Jean, you certainly are very brave. We are thinking of you and reading the heart rendering stories of the hardship some of our fellow humans have to suffer.
I hope you make a difference.

Posted by Kathleen and Alison at Half Moon Wholefoods on 9 February 2012 at 17:28