Townships – Page 4 – Gingersnaps

A Purposeful Gap Year

February 13, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.comLeave a comment

“It’s the steady, quiet, plodding ones who win in the lifelong race.” – Robert W. Service

This quote makes me think of my sweet friend, Victoria. I met her last year when she was looking for some tutoring lessons during her matric year (final year) of high school. She is a 19-year old young adult; sweet, unassuming and quiet. So much so, that although her birth name is Priscilla, when her school records got mixed up years ago and her teachers starting calling her Victoria, she NEVER felt the need to correct them. Now, she goes by Victoria.

Victoria was born in Nekkies, a part of the township in Knysna that is located right on the N2 (the highway that runs east and west from Capetown to Port Elizabeth. It is probably one of the most dangerous parts of the Knysna township. And here is why: 1. Because of its location on the N2, it is easily accessible to everybody and anybody (good or bad). It is one of only two ways in and out of the township. 2. Many of the bars/pubs are located in this area, so people gravitate to there and are often under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 3. Many of the “homes” are shacks instead of concrete block homes, making life a little more unstable.

For Victoria’s family, life went on as best it could. They were a Coloured family living in a mostly black Xhosa township. Across the N2, within site, was the all Coloured neighborhood (Hornlee). Because she was coloured, Victoria and her siblings would cross the N2 on foot every day to attend Hornlee Primary School. The native tongue for Coloureds is Afrikaans, while the native tongue for blacks is isiXhosa. It is easier to attend a school that speaks your native language. And at the time that Victoria was in primary school, there was not an Afrikaans school on her side of the N2.

This posed many dangers for a young girl… the greatest of these was crossing the N2. Cars and trucks are traveling at a speed of 45 – 50 mph on a 4-lane highway. There are no crosswalks, no traffic lights, no crossing guards, NO ADULT SUPERVISION. Just children standing, watching, waiting and judging when to cross. It is one of the scariest things I have witnessed here. Once safely on the other side, the children must walk up a path through the bush (the forest as we know it) to get to the school. If alone, you could most certainly be robbed or raped. Victoria mentioned that she only had to walk home by herself one time. She was so scared that she ran as fast as she could and never stopped until she got to the N2.

Born the 5th child in a family of 7 children, Victoria grew up in a household with two very loving, Christian parents. She is one of a few children/teens I know that have a complete family unit. Her father worked hard as a truck driver for years and her mother stayed home to care for their large family.

In Nekkies, the nine of them lived contently in a shack together, until tragedy struck their family. Not once. But twice. First, Victoria’s older brother (the oldest of the 7 children) was stabbed and killed outside of their home. Victoria was very young at the time, so doesn’t really know or remember the entire story. She has been told it was a senseless act of jealousy. The second tragedy had a greater impact on Victoria’s life. At the age of 11, her family’s shack burned to the ground in the middle of the night. It is believed that the man (a cousin to the family) in the shack directly behind them, was drunk and fell asleep with a candle burning. Both his shack and theirs burned completely. Everyone except Victoria’s little brother escaped. Ornan was 9-years old and died in the fire. Not only was her family grieving the loss of another child, they were now homeless.

The family split up to live with various relatives in the area, moving from place to place for about 4 years. All throughout this unsettled transition, Victoria continued in school. Finally, when she was about to begin grade 8 (High School), her family moved back together to a part of the township called Concordia. There, her father slowly built a concrete home which they are still living in today.

unnamed-13 — Victoria’s family home, built by her dad.

Victoria did well in school. She is only the second child in her family to graduate (matric) from high school. And the first to receive a “Bachelors”, the highest diploma you can receive in high school (you pass with either a Bachelors, a diploma, or a certificate). Victoria had set herself up to be able to realize her dreams of going to a University. Unfortunately she was “wait-listed” at The University of Western Cape in Cape Town, and ultimately did not get in for this school year.

Dreams crushed? No, just delayed. Gap Year. A year to learn and work before reapplying to University next year. Because of Victoria’s character, a teacher introduced her to a program called TEFL (Teaching English to Foreign Learners) that offers the course right here in Knysna. This program is a 30-day instructional class that prepares you to travel to another country to teach English for 1-year. (Her teacher’s daughter did this and taught English in China).

Victoria will continue to move forward.. slowly, steadily, quietly plodding through this lifelong race.

When I met with her today, we were talking about her plans for this gap year. She explained the TEFL program and told me that she has already enrolled and will begin on March 5. Knowing that neither of her parents are currently working, it caught me off guard that she has so confidently moved along with her plan. I started to question how she will finance this endeavor. She sat there quietly, unassuming telling me that she has managed to come up with the money for the deposit (with the help of her sister) but does not know how she will finance the rest. With faith it will work out. Slowly, steadily and quietly she will make it work.

Victoria is currently $350 U.S. shy of completing the payment for the course. Once she completes the course she will also need funding to travel to the country where she will be teaching. This seems like an impossible dream for a young township girl. It is. But Victoria is already beating the impossible. She stayed in school during a chaotic 4-years. She matriculated with a Bachelors. She was wait-listed by a college. And she figured out how to come up with a $150 U.S. deposit to take this course. This is an amazing opportunity for Victoria during this gap year. She has NEVER been outside of Knysna, much less South Africa. I have confidence that she will be successful in this endeavor.

If you would like to help Victoria, please click on the link below. Any amount will help. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to help cover her expenses for this gap year experience. Type “Victoria” in the comment section. ~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.

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

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

Growing up in the Township

February 3, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com1 Comment

“Freedom isn’t going through life unscathed, it’s choosing to not let what has hurt you bind you.” ~ Leo Christopher

As mentioned in my first blog, my hope this year is to share the stories of the people I have met in Knysna, South Africa. Circumstances and experiences have shaped all of us, helping to create OUR very own unique story. With the permission of my friends, I would like to share their stories with you. Some of the events are very sensitive, so I will often change the names to protect my friends.

Today’s story is being told to give you a glimpse into the types of things many young girls experience and endure living in a township in South Africa.

Meet Bulelwa…

Born in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in the city of Port Elizabeth (PE), Bulelwa grew up in a household that included her parents and two younger siblings. Her mother is Zulu and her father is Xhosa. And although her parents were never married, they lived as a family unit for several years. Her dad was a Police Officer and her mom had a job in a laundry mat. You may think that all sounds normal; but here in the townships it is an anomaly for both parents to be part of the household AND both to have jobs. Although they lived as a family unit, it was not always a happy one. Bulelwa’s dad is an alcoholic and often raged in anger against she and her mom. By the grace of God, her two younger siblings were spared his violence.

At age 15, Bulelwa was sent to live with and take care of her sick grandmother (Her dad’s mom) in another township. In the Xhosa culture, it is customary for parents to send their children to live with other relatives for various reasons. This can be due to such things as financial issues, hopes for a better chance in the area where a relative resides, taking care of a sick relative, and many other reasons. The point is this, many children in the townships do not live with their biological mom or dad. It can be typical for a child to be raised by a grandmother, aunt, cousin, etc. Bulelwa’s situation was no different.

So, as a 15-year old teenage girl, Bulelwa was expected to go to school and care for her grandmother. She was moved away from her mother, siblings and friends, attending a different school all together. This is a lot for a young teenager. Yet, she had no choice.

As she did what was expected of her, she came to find out that her uncle (her dad’s brother) had expectations of his own. He raped her. This lonely, scared young girl was raped by her uncle! This man, who should be helping to protect her while she is separated from her family and caring for HIS mother, raped her. Bulelwa was trapped and eventually became pregnant.

Just imagine a young teenage girl feeling helpless. Pregnant with a baby she does not want. She begged her mom to let her abort the baby or put it up for adoption, as she knew that every time she looked at the baby, she would be reminded of the horrific acts of her uncle. Her mother said “No” to both. She brought Bulelwa home and promised her that she would raise the baby as her own, and that Bulelwa could be her “older sister”. Once again, Bulelwa had no choice. She was only 16-years old and her mother would not sign the papers allowing her to give the baby up for adoption.

Well, things didn’t quite work out that way. Many times as a teenager, Bulelwa would want to hang out with her friends and her mother would tell her she couldn’t because she had a baby she must care for.

Due to the pregnancy, Bulelwa had to drop out and miss an entire year of school. A couple of years later she had to drop out and miss another year of school to care for her mom.

So… fast forward to 2014 when I met her. Bulelwa was 20-years old, in grade 11 and had a 3-year old daughter. Let that sink in… 20-years old, in grade 11 and had a 3-year old daughter. I know, this sounds like a hopeless situation. And at times I think it did to Bulelwa too. But God had greater plans for Bulelwa’s life. And although I have told you only SOME of the major roadblocks along her life journey, each one shaping her, creating her story; she has never let her circumstances define who she is.

Bulelwa is an OVERCOMER! She has not allowed the circumstances of her past to stop her from chasing her dreams. I am happy to tell you that she graduated High School in December 2015. She is now in her final year at South Cape College (a 3-year program), where she will graduate with a certificate of higher education in business. AND, THE BEST PART OF THE STORY… she loves her daughter more than anything in the world.

Our God is an awesome God! ~Tracy Cooper

My friend in 2014.

My friend and her 7- year old daughter today.

The Journey Begins

January 19, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com8 Comments

Thanks for joining me!

“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” — Izaak Walton

I am going to try my hand at blogging while Kurt and I are in South Africa this year. I have never written a blog before, so please bear with me.

“Why are you in South Africa?”, you may ask. Well it is a story only God could write…

For many years, I would always joke with people saying that when Kurt retires, he will probably “drag” me to some 3rd World country to be in ministry. Fast forward, here we are in Knysna, South Africa. It isn’t 3rd World, but it is definately 2nd World.

So how did we get here? After Kurt retired in January 2014, he began to meet with the University of Virginia to learn about their water purification “system” (local potters make porous pots lined with silver), in Limpopo, South Africa. After meeting with those involved with this project a couple of times, they recommended he go visit the site in order to understand the site work that needed to be designed. Since he and I decided I would go with him, we thought we would make a vacation out of the trip down (as it would probably be the ONLY time we would ever come to Africa).

One problem, we knew nothing about Africa. I certainly did not realize how big the continent is compared to North America. Africa is bigger than China, India, the contiguous U.S. and most of Europe—combined! So, how do I begin to plan a trip? I would tap into my resources or as many would call, FRIENDS.

I happened to know only one couple that had ever been to Africa and their trip was to Kenya, not South Africa. But as God would have it, this couple had just recently met a man who was born and raised in South Africa, but now lives in Augusta, Georgia. My friend recommended I email his friend to see if he could help me plan an itinerary. After several emails back and forth with this man I had never met, Kurt decided that this project with UVA was not a good fit. Wow, disappointment. This man in Georgia has spent so much of his time helping me plan a vacation and now I needed to tell him we were not going to go. I felt bad to have wasted his time.

God had other plans! It was now August or so and instead of my new email friend saying oh well, so sorry for you; he said that he was taking a mission team to Knysna, South Africa at the beginning of November and invited us to come with him. I promptly said “Thank you” but “No Thank You”, we have already allocated that money to be used for something else… that may or may not have been completely true.

My new friend did not take “no” for an answer. Instead he told me to talk to Kurt and pray about it. Ugh, why did he have to bring God into this? I know that if I pray about it, I may have to say “yes”. Dilemma, do I tell Kurt we’ve been invited?

Yes, I did. And after much prayer, we decided to join the team. Now it is January 2018 and this is my 5th time back to Knysna. I love the people here and have made many forever friends.

My passion is to work with young girls and single moms. This involves tutoring girls in English and Math and continuing to tweak a “Girls Talk” group we launched in 2016. Like each of us, everyone here has a story.

Please follow along with me, over the next few months, as I introduce you to my friends. Their stories can be both sad and inspirational. But through it all, our God remains faithful. ~Tracy Cooper