Drew Francis » South Africa

Show and Tell

drew — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:10:55 +0000

So I’ve been real busy. I have decided to take photography seriously. If it is something that I want to be good at then I need to throw my self into it. Not just a hobby but an expression. I’ve increased my reading to get better at the technical side. So here is a picture that I worked on. It’s on my flickr but I thought it wold be cool to show them here so here they are. Oh and something else I’m doing. If you want some free Christmas pictures call me up. If I’m free i’ll take your pictures. Yes you heard me right if you would like some free Christmas card pictures look me up. Anyway first is the before and then the after.

New Post

drewfrancis — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:32:13 +0000

Today I have a new post. I’m sitting listening to Prairie Home Companion maybe because I’m too lazy to get up. They seem to have the same format for years. But that doesnt really matter to me I guess. I came back from South Africa refreshed and ready for the year now I dont know how else I can spend my summer unless I do one week there. Regardless I think if the Kinsleys are there or not. I planned a trip to Albuquerque partly because Ive been watching a show taking place there and the other because I need some skymiles. I’m going to try to go on river rafting trip while im there. Contacted some companies but I’ll take care of the details later. Ive got to get back to school . I just realized yesterday that Im way past half way done. So I’m going to go hard at it for the next two semesters and try and finish up. Ive been on break long enough. Oh get this the prof that I was avoiding is leaving. it can only go up hill from there.

Ah I feel that I must admit to something. there has been an air of confessions lately so here is mine. I really like Drew Barrymore movies. And I really dont mean like a little. I like them a lot. 50 first dates and Fever pitch and Wedding singer. They’re just good. Maybe its because we are around the same age so secretly I think we grew up together. Whew that was good to get off my chest. Anyone else have guilty pleasure confessions. Its very cleansing. Look for me tomorrow when I give you my most recent one.

Oh here is a taste from south Africa. Get jealous that I hung with Amber.

Off I go

drewfrancis — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:01:43 +0000

So I head off again to South Africa. I’m really looking forward to it. May be the last time that I can do this. I think I may need to go back to the old vacation travel. Anyway Ive taken considerately less stuff and will leave a lot of it there. Ive been trying to get down what a weeks worth of stuff looks like. This is a pretty short trip I think. We’ll see how that works out. The last two weeks have been a blur of impromptu meetings and birthday celebrations (oh by the way my b-day is on the 11. Ive celebrated in South Africa the last three years. I usually am at camp but I guess that has changed. I also am trying to bring just one pair of shoes. Yup one pair. I do have some flip flops. I usually bring two but this time im giving my self a challenge. I think I will mostly be documented this trip..Ive asked about who is going and do I need to round up folks etc etc. I dont even know who has my medical forms. So we’ll see how that goes. Lets just hope no one asks me any questions other than do I need to hold on to this form. Im not flying delta so no miles for me. Dont know if i’ll keep my status which I only like for the free upgrades. I may make a small trip just to keep that up. Oh I think im going to go to Jamaica for a couple days to see mom then may go back to see my dad. Ah divorce is so nice. So im off.

Tats

drewfrancis — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:20:45 +0000

Ok so here is what Im looking at. I have started to lean towards an Ethiopian cross. I saw some in south africa and asked Bush to bring me one back when when he went. He did. We will see where that takes me.

Callie has made an excellent suggestion any takers on this. I’ve got 4 weeks to nail this down.

South Africa

drewfrancis — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:30:00 +0000

Oprah has been in the news lately so I thought I would give a photo essay of my trip. The letter that you are about to read was sent to me by a man who directs a camp there.
Miracles happen

Oprah Winfrey opens her academy for disadvantage girls in January 2007 and has interviewed many thousands of girls from the Gauteng region. The Blair Athol School on the Refilwe property submitted several girls for consideration. The final selection was made in Mid- August.

This is Johannes’s story: Johannes lives in a shack in a squatter camp near Refilwe. He has a gardening job. He attends the Refilwe clinic every 2 weeks for TB medication and check ups. He has been very worried because his common law wife drinks, then becomes irresponsible. He was also looking for a school, he can afford, to send his daughter to next year. He also suspects that he has more serious health concerns. He arrived at the clinic in Mid-August with life changing news. His daughter has been selected to attend the Oprah Academy next year. On the Saturday, a grand car had picked them up at their shack, while in transit they could drink cold drinks and watch TV. At the selected venue, they had up market accommodation, organised entertainment and excellent food, “as good as Parliament”! The final interviews were conducted by Oprah and joys of joys, his daughter was selected. On Monday they were transported to Refilwe with more rejoicing, when the school heard the news. Johannes has agreed to additional treatment. We were able to counsel his wife and she has agreed to be visited at home by Elizabeth our gospel outreach worker.

Please pray for this family.

Best regards & God bless,

Jaco v Schalkwyk
Project Leader
Refilwe Community Project