Mission 5 - Airbridge to Ficksburg
June 19th 2004

Sunbeam Kids and Angels Home.

After some last minute fancy footwork by Ernie and his wife Lala we managed to get foodstuff and
nappies partly donated, medicines and blankets were purchased using money donated by Air BP.
Leftover energy bars courtesy Dischem and Nestea from Nestle finished the load of some 400 kg.
Michelle from Tusanani came to the party with educational toys as well as her presence on this our
fifth mission. Francesco piloted his Cessna 182, and Fred followed in his Piper Arrow. We had a trip
on our hands!

Francesco left first in the Cessna and Fred approximately 45 minutes later, and we arrived in Ficksburg
some hour and forty minutes later, with Fred arriving 15 minutes later. The flights were in a clear and
smooth sky with heavy smog up to about 1500ft agl, making visibility under the TMA very limiting.
The western Drakensburg loomed out of the haze as the air cleared to the south and then Ficksburg
airfield was suddenly ahead.

Jack Armour, Helen-Mary, Helen-Mary’s mom Tessa and dad Vernon, plus the children from Angels
home were at the airfield waving us in frantically. It was great to see the enthusiasm in their faces, this
was an outing and an event they will remember I am sure.

Tessa was acting reporter, Vernon and Jack were the transport directors and Helen-Mary overall
director, had all items locked and off-loaded and in no time we were visiting the Angels home and
treated to some tea, biscuits and cake. The home is modest and houses about 11 children from age
2 till about 11. It is a well run home with two dedicated house parents Daniel and Grace Noha and
their able assistant Elizabeth.

The Joughin family as well as the Armour’s; Jack and his wife Claire do credible work in this
community I am told.

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