Today was by far the most emotional and eye opening event I have experienced. We started the day by touring the Golden Gateway Hospice. The Hospice helps adults and children who are suffering with progressive incurable illnesses such as HIV/Aids, Cancer, etc. Our focus was at the Day Care Center which up to 50 children ages 3-6 are cared for “physically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically together with the educational requirements needed to progress their school career”.
The learners performing for us.
When we arrived, the students welcomed us with a song. As you can imagine, the students had no idea who we were or what we were doing. Many of the children had the look of confusion in their eyes, but warmed up to us quickly. After the singing, I went into a small classroom and sat down on the floor with the children. A couple of boys inched towards me and sat on my lap. We sang a song about months together and had a great time. This small time with these children moved me to tears (the tears came after I left, but they were running down the cheeks). These children are so precious and are dealing with so many obstacles at such a young age. Once again, I have taken so much for granted in my life. Thank goodness the Hospice is available for these children.
My two buddies
Our next adventure was through another informal settlement. I mentioned earlier about Soweto and how poor the conditions are there. Soweto looked wealthy compared to this particular area. Little kids are playing in trash heaps, parents are washing clothes in black water, residents do not have electricity or running water, and the outhouses are barely standing. I get upset when the roll of toilet paper doesn’t get replaced. I think my priorities are off base…at least I have a toilet and toilet paper. There is a place where people can get water, but they have to walk a distance to get it.
One striking picture in my memory is the ability to be standing in one spot and in front of me there is a house made of metal with trash piled up outside and not having any modern amenities. If I were to stand in the same place, but shift my body 90 degrees, right across the street is a nice middle class neighborhood. In this neighborhood you can see homes with actual windows and doors. The contrast is amazing. How can one street make such a division?
While cruising through the ‘middle-class’ section of town, we stopped at a local tavern. Due to the high rate of HIV/Aids, it is mandatory for taverns to provide free condoms to their patrons. As is customary in the States, the more alcohol consumed the more likely some extra curricular activities will occur. I saw several of these ‘dispensers’ around our travels (not just in taverns) and I never saw a single condom available. It makes me wonder how frequent the dispensers are being refilled and therefore, if the program is working.
Our last stop was a GET school for grades R-4. The students of this school are from the informal settlement we just toured. Chances are several of the students are infected with HIV/Aids or other incurable diseases and have little chance of breaking out of the poverty cycle. The entire school gathered in the courtyard and sang “God Bless You.” I want to stress that these are the same kids that are living in the informal settlement and they are singing this amazing song to us. I feel as if we should be singing to them. The icing on the cake was when we were leaving and these precious children were chasing the bus and waving good-bye to us. What an amazing picture and honor…once again, the tear ducts opened.
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