Community – Page 3 – Gingersnaps

God-size Dreams

March 8, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com2 Comments

“God would not have put a dream in your heart if he hadn’t already given you everything you need to fulfill it.”~ Joel Osteen

I must admit, often I feel like I am living in the book, “The Help”, when I am in South Africa. IF employed, most black african women and coloured women are employed in some capacity of the service industry… Often as domestic workers (or as we would call cleaning ladies/house keepers).

It hits me in the face as I leave our “gated neighborhood” in the morning and see lots of women of color getting out of the taxis on the other side of the gate. (When I talk about taxis, these are 15-passenger vans that travel to and from the township to town. They generally cost riders about $1-$2 per trip). The women come by the dozens from the township, as there are about 600 homes in this neighborhood. And many employ domestic help.

The ladies show their credentials at the gate, sign in and then begin their walk to the home where they are employed. It is a strange 1960-ish site.

unnamed-14 — Domestic workers walking to the home of their employers in the morning.

These women are all domestic workers. A job coveted by the many that are unemployed. A job that pays about $12 per day. That was not a typo. $12 per day, not $12 per hour.

At the end of the day, the taxis do not return to the entrance gate of our neighborhood for pick up. Instead, the women must walk 1-2+ miles to the “Taxi rank” in town to get a ride back to the township. That is just the women in this neighborhood. It all depends on where someone works as to how far their trek to the taxi rank may be at the end of the day. Rain or shine. Hot or cold.

I’ve watched this for years now. It just doesn’t get any more acceptable to me. And although most of these women are grateful for the job, it doesn’t make it any less oppressive.

This brings me to my friend Thokozile (Thoko). A black South African Zulu woman I had the privilege of meeting last year. And a domestic worker in our neighborhood.

Thoko is a faithful Christian woman raising two sons on her own. She is an amazing mom to her boys and has taught them to be polite, to do well in school and be grateful for what they have. Several years ago, when Thoko moved to Knysna, she knew she needed to have a stable place for the boys to grow up. She saved a little bit of money each payday to be able to purchase her own small home in the Concordia Township. Since then, she has saved diligently and added on to her home, making it comfortable for she and the boys. This was/is a project that takes years. Instead of putting herself in debt, Thoko hires someone to do what they can as she has the money to pay for it. The total project is not complete, but it is really coming along. She has been doing this on a salary of $16 per day.

unnamed — Thoko’s home. The brown part is the new addition.

I have never heard a mean word come from Thoko’s mouth. Not a complaint. She is always smiling, encouraging, and inspirational. She loves the Lord and she loves her family. She is joyful. She is smart. She is sweet. I can go on and on about Thoko. She is my friend and I have great respect for her.

The reason I met Thoko was because our passion for working with girls in the township intersected last year. I launched a program for girls in 2016 called Girls Talk (Please read the previous post “Girls Talk”). At that time, I had three women agree to work as a team and lead the group of girls on Saturdays. It was a great experience for both the ladies and the girls; however the leadership team was burned out by the end of the year.

unnamed-19 — Thoko wearing her credentials while walking her employer’s dog.

As I got ready to fire up the 2017 Girls Talk group, I was without a leader. Some good friends of mine knew Thoko and suggested I contact her. She agreed to come to the information meeting and volunteered right there on the spot to be the 2017 leader. This was an answer to prayer. As I mentioned earlier, Thoko does not have daughters. She works full-time as a domestic worker and is raising two boys on her own. None of that could stop her passion to work with young girls.

Thoko and I met and planned a loose agenda for the year. And after I left to go back to the U.S.A., she faithfully met with the girls every Saturday afternoon. She led them in prayer, discussions, games and community service projects. She listened intently as the girls talked about things they would never discuss at home. And she intervened when she found out a male teacher was touching some of the girls inappropriately at school. She loved and mentored the girls well.

Thoko helping the girls with an art lesson.

Thoko (rt) helping the girls make “Dignity” packets.

When I returned and met with Thoko in January, I was prepared to hear her say that although it was a great year, she is burned out. But no. Thoko is ready to volunteer again for 2018.

I have always had such big dreams for Girls Talk. God size dreams. Dreams that don’t match up with the resources I have available. And I always believed if I wanted this program to grow, I would need to figure out how to pay a leader.

This is where our AWESOME GOD shows up big! As I mentioned in the previous post “Girls Talk”, YFC (Youth for Christ) has agreed to incorporate Girls Talk into their ministry programs. They believe it is such an important program that a full-time person should be running it.

So what does that mean for Thokozile? After meeting with her, the YFC immediately offered her the position! A full-time professional position. A career. A passion and dream fulfilled.

Like me, Thoko has God-size dreams. This was one of them. A chance to grow spiritually, intellectually and professionally. She excitedly seized the opportunity and accepted the position.

When we left the YFC, she wanted me to drop her off in town instead of driving her home. Her boys were just getting out of school, so she wanted to meet them at the taxi rank and ride home with them. She couldn’t wait to share the exciting news. As she got out of the car, she stood up tall, smiled and turned to me and said “Today I will walk down the street with my head held high.” I smiled through tears. I knew what she meant.

She will no longer be a “Servant”, but instead a “Servant Leader”.

Praise be to God for this awesome lady and this amazing opportunity! ~ Tracy Cooper

Sidenote… Because YFC is an NGO with a limited budget, employees need to raise most of their own support. Thoko will begin working on March 19, 2018 and her salary will be set at $385 U.S. per month. Yes, per month. If you feel called to help support Thoko’s salary monthly or with a one time gift, please click on the attached link and type “Thoko” in the comments. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to cover her monthly salary.

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

Girls Talk

March 4, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com3 Comments

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship. Why do I know this? Not only was I a Girl Scout growing up, I was a Girl Scout Leader for 12 years. Yes, you read that right. 12 years. Funny thing… all those years, I thought I was preparing girls for their future. Little did I know, the girls were preparing me for mine.

In the spring of 2015, I was truly struggling with whether or not I would return with the mission team to South Africa in January 2016. I love Knysna, South Africa. I had already been there twice. I have friends there. So why wouldn’t I go? Well, quite frankly, I was not feeling called to go along to work on a construction project. Am I being selfish? I know, I know … Sometimes we all need to do things we don’t want to do. But this was different. I REALLY didn’t want to go. I was prepared to have Kurt go without me.

Then God spoke to my heart. There is a reason I was a Girl Scout Leader all those years. It is time to share those types of experiences with the young girls in Knysna. Wow. That was it. I need to start some type of program for girls! The passion and desire to return to Knysna came flooding back.

I spent the next few months researching Girl Scouts/Girl Guides in South Africa. I hit nothing but roadblocks. I researched other programs, but I kept hitting roadblocks. I finally realized I just needed to be there in person to get things figured out.

Once I returned, I met with my friend Ella (I introduced her in “The Unprotected – Part 2”). She too agreed that there was a great need for a program for girls in the township. Knowing that leadership would need to come from within, I had Ella round up a group of women to hear what I was proposing. I explained how I want girls to learn how to empower themselves. To have compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship (Sound like Girl Scouts?). And most of all, I want them to become the women God has created them to be. Three women stepped up, agreeing to be the leadership team. So with a name, short agenda and a mission statement, we started.

The Girls Talk Mission Statement reads as follows:

Girls Talk provides programs to girls to help enhance their lives through educational, spiritual and entertaining subjects. Our goal is to help girls develop self confidence, life skills and career readiness as they grow to be the women God intends them to be.

Although we have had to tweak the focus of the group over the last two years, the mission statement has remained the same.

Year one was a true learning experience. Because of the need for such a program, 22 girls ages 11 – 21 showed up on the first day. Not wanting to turn anyone away, we allowed them all to join. Each Saturday following, 15 – 20 girls showed up. The leaders began to feel the difficulty of planning for such a variety of ages. It was hard to have discussions and activities that were appropriate for everyone.

So year two, January 2017, we opened Girls Talk to only Grade 7 girls. This age group was chosen, because Grade 7 is the last year of primary school. High school starts in Grade 8. It is our chance to catch these girls and instill in them self confidence and healthy life choices before they begin High School.

unnamed-7 — Girls Talk: Year 2 – Grade 7

With the original leadership team burned out and no new leader in place for 2017, I continued moving forward. I met with the principal of the township primary school, who allowed me to send a flyer home with the Grade 7 girls. I invited them and their moms to an information meeting. Ten girls showed up, most with their moms. Also in attendance was a woman named Thokozile. I had not met her before. She has two sons, but was curious to hear about the group. She had a passion to work with girls, but did not know how to get a group started. After I explained the group to the moms and girls, all 10 girls committed to joining. Thoko loved the plan and volunteered to lead. And so it was, 2017 Girls Talk was set in motion!

Thoko and I met and planned an agenda for the year. And although she had a full-time job during the week, she faithfully met with the girls every Saturday afternoon.

The girls engaged in prayer, discussions, games and community service projects. They learned to cook, paint, bead, and screen print. They made cards and delivered them to people in the hospital at Easter. (This is not as easy as it sounds, as arrangements have to be made to hire a taxi to take the girls to town and back). They put together “Dignity packets” made up of sanitary pads for girls in their school. Many girls miss school monthly, as they cannot afford to purchase the necessary products.

unnamed-10 — Girls putting together “Dignity Packets”

The girls learned new things. Most had never participated in “community service” before. They loved it. And Thoko continued to build character with the girls through various discussions, games and activities.

Thoko helping the girls with an art lesson.

Beading

When I returned a couple of months ago (Jan. 2018), I met with Thoko to “debrief”. She loved volunteering with the girls so much, that she agreed to do it again this year.

Perfect. Just as I hoped. So I thought.

Something was still pressing on my heart to grow the program. I felt we needed to keep last year’s girls who are now Grade 8 and start a new Grade 7 group. This would give the girls the support they need their first year in High School now too. I quickly realized that this was not reasonable with our limited resources.

After much prayer, I met with the Director at Knysna Youth for Christ (YFC). I proposed that they take on Girls Talk as one of their ministry programs. And they agreed! This means we can reach Grade 7 and Grade 8 girls with much more programming. We will be able to reach girls in both the Xhosa and the coloured areas. This is my heart’s desire coming to fruition! (Please read my next blog as I explain what this means for Thokozile- God-size dreams).

I can’t explain in words the excitement I feel. The privilege to obey a calling from God and step back and watch it flourish! ~ Tracy Cooper

Sidenote… Because YFC is an NGO with a limited budget, all ministry programs need to raise the funds to support their ministry. If you feel called to help in the funding of Girls Talk, please click on the link below and type Girls Talk in the comments. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to the support of this incredible program.

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

The “Unprotected” – Part 2

February 26, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com3 Comments

“Every child deserves a champion — An adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” – Rita Pierson

In my earlier blog post, “The Unprotected”- Part 1, I introduced you to four of the children living in the Lukhanyiso Safe House with Mamma Ella. Now, I will tell you how the Safe House came to be, and introduce you to a few more of Ella’s precious children.

In isiXhosa, the word Lukhanyiso means “The Light”. Ella decided to call the Safe House Lukhanyiso to bring Light to the brokenhearted.

I met Ella in 2014 on my first trip to Knysna. Two of the things I love about her is her passion to help people and her passion to share Jesus. She is ALWAYS on the go looking for people in her community to help and share the Good News.

Ella Mapurisa (Mamma Ella) grew up in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. When she was 6-years old, her parents divorced and her mother found employment on a farm, moving Ella out to a very rural area. In order to get an education, Ella had to walk over 6 miles to school every day. She did this with no shoes for several years and vividly remembers getting her first pair of shoes at 12-years old!

Because her mother was an alcoholic, she was not always able to function at her job. Ella soon had to step in and cover for her mom. At just 9-years old, she was trying to go to school and complete her mother’s chores on the farm. She knew that if she didn’t, the two of them would be kicked off of the farm and left homeless. This was a lot for such a young girl to carry.

With no guidance and no support, she dropped out of school at the age of 16. It had become too much. Too far to walk. Too much work to be done on the farm. And no money to buy her books.

In addition to the pressure, her living/work conditions became volatile. It was not safe for a Xhosa girl to be working on a farm… a farm owned by a white Afrikaans farmer… during the Apartheid era. Ella was abused. Unprotected. Trapped. No real education. No money. No connection to people off of the farm. No hope.

Until… At the age of 22, a missionary came to the farm and told her about the love of God. She did not believe there could be such a love. She had never experienced true love from anybody before. She desperately wanted to be loved. But she feared if she accepted this Jesus, she would only prove the missionary wrong. There could not be such a love. Could there? In the days to follow, she accepted Jesus Christ and her life was forever changed. The missionary took her home with seven other children and helped to cultivate a strong faith in her. He put her back in school at the age of 22-years and finally at 25-years old, Ella matriculated from High School. It was then that she moved to Knysna to start her new life. A life full of love, hope and faith.

There is a lot more to Ella’s story, and the impact of it all shaped who Ella is today. She knew that “when” not “if” she was able, she would pay it forward. She would help women and children living in fear and danger. And she would share her Jesus with everyone! Her strong Christian faith and her positive attitude kept her moving forward toward her goal.

Now, self-employed and co-owner of Emzini Tour Company (Township Tours) she knew it was time to help. Time to build a safe house, a refuge, where women and children can go when they are in danger. The tours are designed to show a positive side of the townships, and create an income to support the Safe House.

Ella in traditional Xhosa dress.

Ella

Currently, Ella has 14 children living in her home and has agreed to financially support 12 others. We met 4 of these children in an earlier blog. Today I would like to introduce you to a couple more…

Siblings: Imange and Takunda

Imange is now 10 years old, but came to live with Ella when she was just 5. She is a very gentle and sweet young lady. At the age of 5 years, Imange and her 2-year old brother Takunda were left at home alone when their parents decided to just walk away. Walk away from their two young children! We are not sure how long they were alone, but when the children were found, Imange was actually cooking, feeding and caring for her younger brother. Image was 5-years old! Even so young, Imange showed such great love for her little brother, and still does today.

Imange

Takunda, a soft-hearted little chatter box, is 7-years old. He really never knew his parents since he was only two when they walked out. His birth name is Lithala, but his grandmother was calling him Madala (which means “old man”). Ella’s husband said, “We can’t have a child being called Madala. I am going to call him Takunda” (Takunda is a Shona word meaning Victory!).

Takunda today.

A younger Takunda.

These two siblings are no longer living in the Safe House. Unfortunately their grandmother insists they live with her so that she can receive government money.

The shack that Imange and Takunda live in with their grandmother.

Knowing that the children would not be cared for properly, Ella continues to pay for all of their schooling, clothes, transport to school, after care, food and other needs that arise. Although they are not under her roof, they are still part of Ella’s family!

Meet Abigail –

Abigail, a complicated 14-year old, comes from a very rough background full of drugs, alcohol and uneducated family members . She is the only person in her family to ever attend school; and that was not on a consistent basis. There was no food and no supervision in her household. As a very young girl, she found her way to Ella’s looking for food. She continued to visit for food and started to trust Ella. Soon Ella learned that at 6-years old Abigail was sexually molested. It was then that Ella moved Abigail in with her.

The trauma this young girl survived is devastating. She has a lot to work through and is highly needy for attention. She is healing. Slowly. Abigail now attends a private school in town where she found she has a true talent in Hockey.

Please enjoy this Vlog of Ella on one of her township tours:

If you feel called to sponsor one of Ella’s children on a monthly basis, or make a one-time donation, please click on the link below and follow the steps. In the comments, type Lukhanyiso Safe House. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to the care of Ella’s children. ~Tracy Cooper

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

The “Unprotected” – Part 1

February 12, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com2 Comments

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story” ~ Annonymous

When I think back to the birth of my first child, I remember feeling so much love, hope, excitement and fear all at the same time. My heart was so full. I knew I would do anything for this sweet little baby. Love him. Feed him. Hold him. Teach him. PROTECT him. Yes, I think for most mothers, one of our strongest motherly instincts is to protect our child. If anyone tries to harm our little one, our “mother-bear” instincts surface. We are ready to protect our child at all costs. And for me, I was blessed to experience this with each of my four children!

Unfortunately though, this is not the case for many children in the township. They do not have a mom to protect them. Not necessarily because she is absent in body, but because she is absent in mind. Many are orphaned due to the unhealthy addictions plaguing the moms. (I say the moms, because quite frankly the fathers are rarely in the picture by the time the baby is born). These moms lose their “mother-bear” instinct to protect their baby when they allow their addictions to take over their lives. They choose alcohol, drugs and men over their sweet, innocent babies. And because of this self destructive behavior, the defenseless babies are left orphaned on the street.

Well this is the very sad and short ending to the life story of so many children. But for a few others, it isn’t. There is a woman of great faith, who lives in the township, and is determined to help write a new chapter in the life stories of many orphaned children. A chapter full of love, hope and faith. A new beginning. A new life. A new family.

I have known Ella for 4 years, and like many, she has a long story of her own. Today, however, I want to introduce to you the children God has helped Ella rescue throughout the township. Some she has found on her own, others have been brought to her by relatives of the children or social services.

The stories are brief, mostly because the children were so young when they arrived at Ella’s. Also, because of their young ages, many were too young to understand their full story.

Meet my friend Tracy:

I have known Tracy for the past 4 years. She and I had an instant connection because of our name. Unlike many other children, I could actually pronounce her name! Tracy is 9-years old now, but came to Ella’s (Lukhanyiso Safe House) at the young age of 3-years. She was brought to Ella by Child Protection Services after she and her younger brother Toffee were removed from their home. Tracy, a 3-year old innocent little baby was being sexually abused in her own home. Her mother was an alcoholic and could not function in a way to protect her baby.

Because of the violence she endured in her young life, Tracy did not transition easily into Ella’s care. She suffered from post-traumatic syndrome, and did not trust anyone. She was constantly screaming and crying. With love, prayer, tender care, counseling and time to begin healing, Tracy has become a happy, confident young lady. She attends Knysna Primary School in town where she is in grade 4. She is learning English and speaks it quite well for a 9-year old. Her favorite extra curricular activities are playing net ball and running sprints. She has always had the role of “drama queen” in the house, but as she matures she is slowly passing that role on to a younger “sister”.

Tracy stills suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome, but all in all, she is doing well. Her life story now has a new, more hopeful chapter.

Tracy

Tracy running track in yellow and blue

Tracy’s little brother is named Toffee. His given name is Fikile and he is 7-years old. When he and his sister, Tracy were brought to Lukhanyiso Safe House, Toffee was only 2-months old. He was filthy dirty and starving to death. A very sad and inexcusable situation for a helpless 2-month old baby. Ella took Toffee straight to the clinic to have him checked. Afterwards, she gently stripped him of his rags, gave him a nice warm bath (probably the first one in his 2-months of life, dressed him in clean clothes, fed him a warm bottle and cuddled him. Since that day, he has the mom every baby deserves. A mom to protect him. To love him. To guide him.

Toffee (nicknamed that, because Ella says he is so sweet), attends Knysna Christian Mission School. He is in Grade 1 and starting to learn English. He is a happy little guy with a lot of personality.

Toffee

Toffee Today

The next sibling pair is Beauty and Stephen…

Beauty is a thriving 9-year old little girl now. However, when she arrived at Ella’s house, she was possibly the most neglected child Ella had ever seen. At the age of 1-1/2 years old, this sweet little baby girl was found by a police officer in the street in the middle of the night. A baby with no name and no parents. He picked her up and brought her straight to Lukhanyiso Safe House for the night, where Ella named her Beauty. Six months went by before anybody in her family even started to look for her. And it was determined that she would stay living with Ella and her new family. During Beauty’s first year in Ella’s care, she was a very shy and withdrawn child. She never made one sound… no crying, no screaming, no laughing, no talking. Nothing. Ella would bring Beauty into her bed at night and hold her, but when Ella woke up, Beauty was off of the bed, curled up on the floor. It was obvious that she had very little attachment or bonding to a mom. But as time went on, Beauty came out of her little shell. She is a sweet young girl and attends Knysna Christian Mission School with many of her siblings. She too is learning to speak English. The reason I mention this with the children is because their native tongue is Xhosa. South Africa has 11 official languages, but all children must learn English.

Beauty

Beauty Today

Beauty at 1-1/2

Stephen is 4-years old and is Beauty’s little brother. They both have the same mom, but I really don’t know if they have the same dad. Both of Stephen’s parents are alcoholics. He was removed from their home when he was just 4-months old and brought to live with Ella in the Safe House. His and Beauty’s mom usually shows up drunk to the Safe House about every two years or so to try to see the kids. Stephen is a happy young little guy. He is learning English in the Mama Mia Preschool.

Stephen

Ella and Stephen

These are the stories of 4 of Ella’s children. She currently has 14 children living in her home and 12 more children for which she has taken on the financial reponsibility. Unfortunately every one of her children have similar stories. I will try to introduce you to a few at a time throughout my blogs.

Ella lives modestly in the township and has hired a small staff to help care for and transport the children. Her expenses run around $200 U.S. per child per month. This is for food, clothes, school uniforms, school tuitions, staff fees, etc.

She and her business partner Penny have opened a township tour company called Emzini Tours to try to help cover the expenses of the Lukhanyiso Safe House. With the needs so great, they are always looking for sponsors.

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

What is a South African “Township”

February 6, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com3 Comments

township

I realized after I posted my previous blog “Growing up in the Township”, that many of you may not know what a “township” is.

When Kurt and I first decided to come with a mission team (2014) to South Africa to work in a township, I had no earthly idea what a “township” was. I envisioned a “village”. Huts. No running water. Little to no electricity. Women carrying baskets on their heads, etc. You know, National Geographic stuff.

That is not what I found. And although a township is not like the “village” I pictured, it is vastly different from first world living as we know it… I would call it second world.

In South Africa, the terms ‘township’ and ‘location’ are used interchangeably. My friends in the township usually call it “The Location”, while my friends in town call it “The Township”. Anyway, the terms refer to an undeveloped segregated urban area. These were areas set aside for non-whites to reside … Blacks, Coloureds and Indians during colonialism and then again during the apartheid era. They are built on the periphery of towns and cities.

During the apartheid era, “white only” living areas were established and non-whites that were living in these areas at the time were evicted and forced to move into segregated townships. Separate townships were established for each of the three designated non-white race groups (Blacks, Indians and Coloured: mixed race). If you read Trevor Noah’s book, “Born a Crime”, you will learn a lot about South African Coloureds. He puts a humorous spin on a not so humorous life.

Since apartheid ended in 1991, all people have legally been allowed to reside where they choose. However, financial strain has kept lots of people of color living in the townships. This is because although whites are a minority in South Africa, they are the financial majority.

My first time here, Kurt and I took a “township tour” (Which I highly recommend if you ever visit South Africa). I convinced myself that people who live in the townships must try to do anything and everything they can to move out. To live in town. In neighborhoods like many of us. Why? Because I saw this as oppression. They MUST rise above this way of living.

Then I started to ask questions of the friends I made living in the township…

“If you dreamed of and had success in financial terms, what would you do with your money?” I asked. “I would build a house for my mom”, is the #1 answer. Mom is the answer, because most likely she is the one who has not walked away from the family. She may or may not be a good mom. She may be a faithful mom or a scarce alcoholic. She may be tender and sweet or violent and angry. It doesn’t matter. She stayed!

So the question that follows is, “Where would you build this house?” Not to my surprise the answer is “Knysna”. This area is so absolutely beautiful. It is the paradise that many inland South Africans come to vacation. Hills, mountains, beaches… a coastal town so full of God’s beauty!

Next question, “Where in Knysna would you build this house?” This is where I fully expect them to name one of the gated, golf-course communities. The pristine neighborhoods with large homes overlooking the Indian Ocean. No. “The Location” is the answer. Not sometimes. Always!

Stunned, I ask, “Why?”… “Because this is our community. This is where our family lives. This is our home.”

I get it.

As an outsider, I saw falling down shacks, rows of small concrete homes and narrow dirt roads. I saw unfamiliar life styles, people of color flooding the streets and children playing with old tires and sticks. I saw roaming unattended animals… dogs, pigs, cows, donkeys and chickens. I saw everything that does NOT resemble MY community at home. I saw poverty and feared the danger it may bring.

Pigs roaming

But as I traveled through the township daily over the years and got to know the people… I mean really got to know them, I started to see things differently. Now I see the homes of families and friends. I see convenience stores, hair salons and tailors (all located in metal shipping containers or shacks) as local businesses convenient to walk to. I see the primary schools and high schools children attend. And the creches (preschools) caring for babies and toddlers. I see the clinic, library, churches and fire station helping to serve basic needs. I see security in a community.

unnamed

Creche (Preschool)

Tailor (in container)

That is why I get it now. These are many of the same things I want, need and demand in my own community.

The problem is this… with 55,000 people living in the township in Knysna, the infrastructure is not sufficient to meet the needs of this community. School classrooms have 50 and above children per class. 50+. OK teacher friends… Just picture that! Standing room only. Not enough desks, chairs nor textbooks for the students. And believe it or not, even with those numbers, they do turn kids away. Some children may not be offered an education! Can you even imagine?!

Finally, although the townships have many things needed in the life of the residents; people who live there cannot avoid trips into town. They must travel to town for jobs, groceries, retail stores, skill centers, hospitals, police stations, post offices, gas stations and many other things. Very few own cars, so they must walk or take a taxi (15-seater van) that travels to and from town.

Things aren’t easy for those that live in the township. There are stumbling blocks around EVERY corner. But it is life. It is township life. And every day that I am here, I have the privilege of doing life together with my new friends.

I serve an awesome God. ~ Tracy Cooper