A Greater Understanding

I have been at the Village of Hope for seven weeks now. I feel very settled here as I toddle around Grabouw, running errands, picking the children up from school, wandering around and shopping at the spar super-market. I spend as much time as I can in the unit, helping out with the community out-reach sports programs which are run every afternoon from Monday - Thursday and recently I have been getting myself more involved with Bosom Buddies.

Bosom Buddies is an NPO that provides mothers with antenatal and post natal classes, provides a hand crafted bag of essentials to new mothers prior to discharge, and acknowledges and celebrate the birth of their child. Heather and I volunteered there for a morning shortly after we arrived. I really felt the desire to get more involved with the work they do in which ever way I could. So i asked and now find myself down in Sommerset west - a 45 min drive from Grabouw, handing out the newborn goodie bags, and talking to eh new mothers on the maternity ward of the hospital each Thursday. I am also helping to develop a series of information leaflets to include in the goodie bags. The idea being that information leaflets; on breastfeeding, caring for a new born, caring for yourself after chid birth and warning signs in babies. With relevant contact numbers, will be a bit of comfort to new mums, where they go home. There is still a lot of work to do on the leaflets as so far i have three drafts and  down 3 drafts stacks of information. 

Although I don't feel that I am blogging as much or as frequently anymore I continue to be moved by the things I see. In the seven weeks I have been here I have seen many volunteers come and go. Each and everyone of them has been a credit, and I am privileged to have met and got to know them. They have all added something to my time in South Africa. 

 Last week when I blogged about the creche in Iraq, it was hard to express how I felt. As I spend more and more time here, I realise that unless you are here experiencing the highs and the lows, its not something you will be able to totally understand or comprehend. I have found it difficult at times here, seeing the poverty and just praying that things could change, because its just not fair how some people appear to have everything and others have so little, how the divide is SA is so distinctive. 

On Sunday, after we had nicely and deliciously filled our belly's, at the Orchard, a lovely cafe down the road. We saw a young boy of 15, we had seen him before, in the same place. Asking for money for this family, he wandered up to all the parked cars asking for money or food. I think at the same time, it called on all of us to try and help, we gathered some money and Jess took it over to him. He looked so grateful, thanking us and waving as we drove way. I only wish i could have done more, but i am beginning to learn that although we may want to, we cant help everyone and although i may feel i can’t do much every little counts and makes a difference to that person and their family.  

I think at the same time, being able to volunteer at Bosom Buddies, as well as at the Village is adding to the sense of fulfillment. Being around the birth of a new generation, gives hope that one day new birth can be something  that is celebrated.

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

When we awoke on Saturday, in the poring rain and gail force winds, and set off to CapeTown down Sir Lowry's pass in the blinding fog. It was a wonder, if we would ever make it across the 13km stretch of sea from Cape Town to Robben Island.

Arriving a half hour early, like instructed. We ended up waiting a while longer, as an announcement came over the loud speaker, 'Sorry, but there is a delay, while we clean the vessel'. This should have been a warning to us, but we boarded unaware of what was before us.  An awful crossing, as we jumped over the waves, rocking back and forth and side to side; slowly reducing in numbers and turning more and more pallor, nevertheless we made it!

When we arrived, we borded a bus, and where taken on a 35 min, tour of the island. Or tour guide cleverly incorporated his vast amount of knowledge with a great sense of humor, which made for interesting learning. 

The first stop was to the 'Lepers Graveyard'. As Leprosy was thought to be contagious, people with Leprosy where bought to Robben Island, to keep them separate from others inorder to stop the disease spreading. Those who died, and had families who could afford to pay for a burial and headstone did so, and those who didn't had their ashes scattered under the trees. 

Next we stopped at the isolation unit, where the leader of the PAC, Robert Sobukwe was incarcerated for 9 years.  When pass laws where created during the apartheid, inorder to separate the population and limit severely the movements of the non-white. The blacks where ordered to carry their don pass documents everywhere they went, a similar idea to the star of david during world war two. Failure to do so resulted in arrest. Any white person, even a child could ask to see a persons pass documents. Sobukwe lead in a unique way, and spread the word via his political followers for people to fill the prisons, but failing to produce their documents. Sobukwe, was unable to communicate with anyone when incarcerated. It was thought that by keeping him separated from others, he would be unable to lead. Behind the isolation unit, was dog kennels. Ironically the dogs kennels where twice the size of the cells in solitary confinement, where Mandela was in prisoned. 

After learning a lot about an instrumental political leader, who i had not heard about before. We continued driving to the 'Lime quarry'. At the lime quarry, the inmates worked long hard hours (8 hrs in winter and 9 hrs in summer). They worked with no more than 5 primitive tools, 1 being their bear hands. Their hard work was suposed to last for 6months, and in order to cover the buildings in lime wash, and produce building blocks. However the work last for years, until inmates began to be released in 1991. The Lime quarry acquired the name, ' the university'. This is because it was a place, where the political prisoners could communicate with out the prison gards being able to hear. So that the guards, didn't assume that the men where escaping; they ate, work and relived themselves all in the same place. When The ex prisoners returned after the apartheid, the men gathered at the university, and spoke of memories. Then silently, Mandela walked away from the group, picked up a stone and placed it on the ground. One by one the men followed, and the pile of stones grew in memory of what they stood for, and the time they spent incarcerated for their beliefs. The pile of stones still stands today.

Past the hospital, which was run by the Irish, we drove to the edge of the island. We had a short break, to refresh and then we heard stories of escapes. A total of four in the history of Robben Island, all unsuccessful. One man, swam the 13km to Cape town, to be captured and returned to Robben Island as soon as he got out of the sea. Two years later he escaped again, in the same way, with the same outcome. 

This was the end of our driven tour. We where greeted by a former inmate, who guided us around the B section of the maximum security prison. He spoke of the group of which he was part of , and the torture which occurred to them before they arrived on Robben Island. The cell that we where in, would have held 30 men, and until 1975 they slept on the floor.

Our guide, talking form experience. Talked about life in prison, and what it was like for a young adult. He explained about the segregation within prison, and the differing meals determined by the colour of your skin.  He talked about how all the inmates, taught one another. Many of the inmates where illiterate, and they gradually learnt to read and write on the paper left over from cement bags. He then explained that nothing was private when talking in the cells, as each was wired with a one way intercom system, so that the officers could eves drop.

Unfortunately, as our tour had started late, we where running out of time. We left section B in a bit of a hurry, as we rushed to see Mandela's cell. It was shown to us, exactly as it was until 1975 when beds where bought into the cells. The tiny cell, of 6x4m at the most contained a bucket / toilet and a tiny desk, with some blankets and a bit of foam to sleep on.  After walking through solitary confinement, we took the walk to freedom, as the men would have down in 1991. 

"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Skurting past the gift shop, on the walk to re board the boat, for yet another sickening crossing. We where left feeling thoughtful, about the political situation that South Africa was in- not so many years ago. Even after the official end of the apartheid, there is still a visible divide within South Africa. Although the day we visited the island, was dark and gloomy and the crossing was less than ideal, i cant imagine visiting such a place in beautiful weather.

I struggle to understand how people can live on the island, especially former inmates. But thinking back, to what our first guide said- Robben Island, has not left as a horrible reminder but as a statement of what the peoples' inprisonment ment, and will continue to mean. 

"Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves."   

"What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise"

In an area where TB recently had the highest statistics in the world. The issue of medication compliance persists for a mix of reasons, and each month another 55 people are diagnosed with TB. The amount of people living with TB and HIV is growing and has been an important factor in the rise of Multi-Drug Resistant TB.  A pressing issue facing the people of Grabouw, and many African cities, towns, and villages as these regions are plagued with factors that contribute to the spread of TB. 

Yesterday, we had an early start as we made our way to the day hospital for 0730.  However our early start was not so early n comparison to the people who start waiting to be seen at the doctors from dawn, and may still go home at the end of the day with out being seen or having collected their medication. 

Today though we where not waiting for the children to see the doctors and nurses, we where volunteering at the TB clinic. The TB clinic is run each morning to support people living with TB, patients come on their way to or from work, to be given or take their medication for the day. 

When diagnosed with TB the nurses access your competency and determine whether or not taking a months supply of medication home is practical or not. If not, the hope is that they will arrive each morning to take their medication. Some patients take a more autonomous approach to their illness, although they don’t have a supply at home. They   turn up routinely each morning, and are able to take their own medication once at the clinic. While others have their medications handed to them.

I was fortunate yesterday, to revert back to my student nurse days as i observed a nurse in the clinic. I was like a sponge absorbing all the information i could. She was so forthcoming and willing to share her knowledge, i appreciated the experience even more. She explained about the different levels of nurses in South Africa, which in a round about way translates to either being a Registered or an Enrolled nurse. In the TB clinic the ‘enrolled nurse’ equivalent has much more autonomy. This maybe the case in the TB clinic, as the TB doctor visits on a monthly basis, and between visits when necessary the team communicate via phone.

The TB nurse told me bout the diagnosis process, whilst we accessed an elderly man newly diagnosed with TB. He presented to the doctor over a month ago, with his wife as he had been unwell for a while. After being refereed to the TB clinic, sputum samples and X-rays where ordered and a month and a half later, here we are sitting, explaining his medications, what TB is and what it means. This gentleman was going home with his months worth of medications, so a referral was made to Thembacre- the community palliative care team. They will visit him regularly to ensure he is taking his medications, and help him get to his next appointment. Nearing the end of his consultation, the nurse turns to me and say she is now going to do a HIV test. I’m a little taken back by this, wondering how they actually do it, thinking it would be complicated.  She opens a box filled with things, and a device that i can only explain looks like a cross between a blood glucose and pregnancy test. Sure enough the HIV reader works in a very similar way. I’m watching intensely as the strip turns colour, praying for a negative result. Breathing a sigh of relieve shortly after, as 1 not 2 stripes show...

I heard a lot of stories yesterday, all different but with the common threat that TB sewed them all together.

Yesterday, stepping in for a local church who usually works with the Community Police Forum (CPF), to provide food at the TB clinic. we where able to offer a meal to each person who attended the clinic as the village supplied the meal. Along with the meal, and safety information from CPF, we where able to pray for their health. 

The provision of a meal is important from many reasons here, where food is not always available to those in need, food is also thought to increase medication compliance. As research has shown that the nasty side effects can be exacerbated on an empty stomach, TB medication is better absorbed, when taken with food. 

When we had given a meal to the TB patients, we where able to hand out meals at the ARV clinic to people with HIV before heading up into one of the townships, Iraq. 

When driving up to the back of the township, we stopped to hand out meals to some children. They ran towards us, thanking s for the food before running way to eat. We continued to drive, further into the township to a small creche. There are no words to describe what it was like, no words will explain it in the way that it makes your heart cry. The distinctive smell, the wonky walls lined with news paper and bottle caps in the place of washers, the cracked and subsiding wooden floor, the children. 

 The home of community members, who have adapted a part of there property to double as a place of worship on sundays. Whilst opening as a creche during the week, to provide parents with somewhere for their children whilst they work.

The children, excited to see new faces, to be hugged and played with. A baby sleeping in the corner, young ones playing on the floor, and older children playing together.  

Easter in Africa

This week, being the last week of the school holidays and more importantly Holy week; we planned little daily activities for the children at the village. Each activity fed into the next, so that by sunday each child had an Easter basket filled with goodies. 

In the fist week of the Easter holidays, the children made Bunny ears. Unfortunately i didn't help with this, but from all accounts it was a lot of fun.

Activities for this week, started by making Easter baskets. When talking with the children (the older ones at least), they are all know the true reason behind Easter, so we encouraged all the children to decorate their baskets, incorporating biblical images such as the cross and Jesus. However most of them where much more interested in the foam stickers; which came in the shapes of flowers and hearts. 

We tried to run activities daily but being the easter holidays; we used this opportunity to plan outings for the kids as well. So this week, 23 or so of us- 10 being children set off into Cape Town to Two oceans aquarium. We all climbed into the bus, and set off to see the fish. 

 

The children and the adults, the house mums especially appeared to have a great time. Although some of the children where a little scared at animals not behind glass, and one was particularly petrified as when she saw a man dressed up in a shark costume, as she did a vertical take off up and over my shoulders. 

I have never run through an aquarium so fast, so Grace and i had a little wait at the end before we could all enjoy lunch and an ice cream together in the sun. 

After lunch, we returned back into the aquarium to watch a puppet show, which again the children where a bit frightened of. 

The drive home was a lot quieter than the drive to Cape town, as everyone fell asleep; excluding the driver, as we all arrived home safe and sound, and ready for bed. 

The next easter activity was making chicks or bunny's. So i spent the morning emptying eggs into a bowle, while Grace cut of beaks, feet, ears and plumes. 12 eggs later, we where ready to go, but we soon heard a  CRUNCH, as one broke as soon as the egg was picked up. With delicate hands we where able to help the children make some chicks and eggs, and colour in crosses. 

By thursday, our Easter ideas where running low, and seeing as we had been invited to Highland Rd estate with the children, we took up this kind offer. We set off for a late lunch/ early dinner in yet another beautiful part of the Elgin Valley, the children and some of us adults, enjoyed playing on the play area before having a delicious, home cooked chicken pie.  

By Sunday, the baskets where ready, and filled with Easter eggs after the fastest Easter egg hunt in history; as we attempted to dodged the rain. With hypo children, we had a braai for lunch, sang songs before the men went to watch the football, others went for a walk, and the sensible ones of us (Heather, Grace, Jess and I) made a fire and stayed warm on this wintery rainy day.  

After a rather homesick wednesday, i was a bit apprehensive about today, wanting to be with family. I needn't have worried one bit. We had two lovely church services this week too, one which was a new experience for me- a Tenebrae service which was very moving.    

Exploring the Elgin Valley

Oh what to write about this past weekend... Well we explored, and then explored some more.

Spending our weeks - monday to friday on or around the farm, it is easy to forget what a beautiful part of the country we are in. Surronded by orchards, mountains, valleys and vines- we decided to stay local this weekend and discover what the Elgin Valley has to offer.

Attempting to to go for a walk around Rockview dam. We drove through huge cast iron gates with spikes on top, past a stop sign and over a sleeping police man- only to come to the conclusion that maybe we shouldn't be down this 'private' road. Our hopes of a leisurely walk fade, as we drive up the N2 towards a craft market i think i spotted a week or to ago. Success, i really did see it.  

At the top of a look our, a family had set up their craft stool for the day. They lay the ground with beautiful wooden carvings, beads and much more. As we browse what is on sale, the crafts men encourage us to buy their goods. Im getting the hang of bartering now, and actually quite enjoy it. Why pay the asking price when you know you can easily get it for much less. I barter away, as i buy a few gifts to send home. 

From here we drive, back towards Grabouw. Further into the Elgin Valley, as we drive we are amazed at how South African scenery looks like so many different countries all combined together- Australia, Scotland, England and Italy. 

Retracing some roads Jess and I have already driven, we make our way to 'Apple Creek'

We walk, in amongst the apple trees for a while in the mid morning sun, before all feeling the need for a cold, refreshing 'Appeltiser'. In efforts to lighten our purses we pay totally out of coins.

Next we are off in the opposite direction, for yet more exploring. Determined to go for a walk, Grace and I are convinced we can walk at the top of this track, which windes through Grabouw Forestry Commission. Who knows where it goes, but there are no sign to say 'Trespassers will be prosecuted', so it must be ok.  We continue to drive, and look out the windows at the views. Once at the top we realsise we have driven to some private wineries, oh well - it was a lovely drive. 

Having spent the whole day exploring, still desperate to go for a walk, we give in for today. Sunday thankfully lead us on a walk up some near by hills. 

Recently i have been started to get itchy feet. Maybe its because i was in bed for a week, combined with the fact that it is school holidays; so we aren't running afternoon sports, and maybe i am adjusting to living on a gated farm. Nevertheless, i want to explore by foot, and walk the beautiful landscape around me. Sunday is here and with a nod OK, we pack a rucksack, put on our hiking boots, suncream and shorts and set out the automatic gates. 

Jess, Grace and I have great plans to walk up the pilon hill, until i see out the corner of my eye that Raffabikki, 'Bikki' the farms dog is following us up the track. He is an old dog, and we are on the wrong track, so our route changes.  We walk and clamber over rocks up to the top of a tree covered hill. I think we are climbing up an area used for tree felling, but as we look back; down what we have just climbed the view is breath taking. 

With views of Grabouw, we sit on a rock and eat our packed lunch. Before wondering home, to spend the afternoon in the sun, reading our books. 

Rainbow Smiles

As the weeks past,  i watch from afar at the planning that goes into each of the differing projects. Some i have already been fortunate to be involved with, other i am still looking forward too. It has been nice to be slowly introduced to each of the projects, as i get used to life in South Africa. Feeling very settled now, i thought it about time to take a sneak peak at another wonderful project. Last friday, when i had regained my strength i helped Jess and Grace to plan some activities for Rainbow Smiles.

Over the past month i have heard the girls talking highly about Rainbow Smilies, and attending planning meetings each week. I have watched and wondered what it was all about. Rainbow Smiles is a support group for teens living with HIV and AIDS. The sessions are run weekly, by a key member of the community, who has experience with living with HIV, and two Thembacare nurses. These three are joined by various volunteers who come and go throughout the year. 

Rainbow Smiles is used to educate the children about HIV, and other health related topics,  provide support, and to teach life skills. Tailoring the life skills to suit the stage of their live, we talk about the importance of friendships, confidence, body image and respecting ones self and others. 

Since the girls have been helping with Rainbow Smiles, they have moved away slightly from a mainly  lesson based session, and are now combining a teaching and games. Rainbow Smiles attendance is voluntree,  therefore trying to entice a child to an 'extra lesson' after a day at school may be a deterring factor ( i know it would be for me at least), in saying that though the children seem to love the group.

Last friday we focused on our appearances, emphasizing the point that its whats on the inside that counts. We explained to the children the importance of loving and respecting ourselves and others, and that by working on ourselves from the inside out,  our beauty will show. We got the children to draw the person next to them, and then to write down some reasons and describing words, as to why they like them. Allowing them to write in English or Africans, at the end of the session we asked if anyone would like to share. The children who did, said some lovely things about one anther. All of the children at Rainbow Smiles are wonderful, and watching them interact and form new friendships is bliss. Being able to interact with them and be part of Rainbow Smiles, is an amazing feeling. 

As we endeavor to break down the divides that separate us, the language barrier continues to act as the main barrier. However this doesn't get in our way as we explain the games in the best way we know how. Last week we played the balloon game. Separating the children into two teams, we demonstrated how to play and then it was free for all as to who would win. Boys vs girls, as  ballons escape and fly around the room as each team endeavors to race the balloon back along the line, passing it without using their hands. 

After playing the balloon game, and drawing with each other we did some face painting before ending the session and driving home, to relax over the weekend.