Thank You!

This is just a 9 minute video that I have put together to say thank you so much for all you have contributed to this project!

We are still several months from finishing up this project - and there is still a great deal of training and equipping before us. So far, about 3/4 of the necessary funds have been provided - but we are currently about $5000 under the needed budget. I know that part of the blessing of this project is the ability to leave behind several cameras and a few laptops on which to edit. I have seen my students really excited to continue to use all that they are learning even after I am gone.

I believe that the students are really learning a lot - and I’m confident that all that is needed will be provided. Your tax deductible gift of support for this project can be made out to: Threads Africa and sent to 26 Stratford Irvine, CA 92620

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Katie Taylor

The Things We Take For Granted

I know that I am blessed. I've always known it and I'm frequently reminded in this setting. When I was younger, birthdays were a big deal. Appropriately, since there were three children in our home, my parents limited our birthday parties. Every other year was what we called a "quiet" birthday. On years where our birthday's were quiet, it simply meant that maybe some cupcakes would be brought to our class and that we would go out as a family or extended family for dinner. But on those years there was no big party with lots of friends.

Yesterday one of my students was celebrating his 21st birthday. He's everyones favorite kid, a brilliant artist that has experienced a great deal of loss in his 21 years. Recently he went from being art and film student to part of the Kuyasa staff - he's our new art teacher and it's been really fun to have him be a part of the team.

We thought it appropriate to throw a small birthday surprise - a few cakes and snacks were purchased and one of the rooms here at the office was decorated with some streamers. When he entered the room of 15 friends and co-workers, he was truly overwhelmed. A few of us "rich" Americans went together on a nice portfolio for his artwork - and a few of the students bought birthday cards. When he opened his cards he fought back tears - he then told us that this was the first birthday card he had ever received. The gift brought more amazement to his face and the party continued.

A few minutes later he came to me for a hug - I held him close and told him how special he was - and he simply broke down. Tears began to stream down his face and I just continued to hold him and tell him how loved he was and how much he meant to us all. It was one of those moments that I will hold onto forever.

It made me sad to think that he had never experienced such a birthday - but so grateful that we had made what seemed like such a small effort. Every year I receive cards that express how much I am loved - when I left for Africa it was with a book in hand filled with affirming notes, cards and pictures. I'm so grateful to you all for your love - for the gifts and cards that come every year and even the days in between.

Blessed

I notice that my writing has become more infrequent and for that I apologize. With regard to the Xenophobia outbreaks, all tension seems to have subsided. In Kayamandi, we only saw action and movement that one Friday evening and for that we are grateful. The effect of such violent action is long lasting, and it has provided an interesting topic of discussion for the documentary component of the film project.

I am really enjoying my students - the more I get to know them the more difficult I know it will be to part. When I hear their stories I want so badly to be able to fix each situation. Provide parents when they are absent. Instill love where there is none. Open my door for a meal when children feel scared to eat at home.

Each situation is unique and there are no easy solutions - often it feels that a band aid is being applied to a very large wound. But I do what I can, giving lots of hugs, saying lots of "I love you's" and praying constantly.

The other weekend I had all of the girls in the film program over to spent the night. We laughed a lot, some tears were shed and I felt such joy that I didn't want it to end. Each student is blessing me in a unique way - and I continue to receive daily love from the Kuyasa Kids as well.

I love being here, but I also miss home. I wonder how my sister is doing on nights when her husband is on call. I think often of my nephew Roahn, imagining how big he is becoming and if he will remember me in 3 short months. I showed my students a picture of my niece Raime, it was a picture that was taken at her 2nd birthday party. She is lounging on the grass and scrunching up her nose. The comment from my students was "this baby likes chocolate!" It's true, I don't know what it is about us that makes our loves so evident to others. :)