Week Two-Malungeni

As we drove down the long road leading to our guest house in Malungeni, travel weary after 3 days on the road, we waved at people outside their dwellings. One after another, a look of recognition, and knowing we were coming...a big smile and arms in the air waving and welcoming us home. We were served a fine stew for dinner and settled in that evening.

Thursday we traveled into Umtata to visit a settlement outside of town called Intippani, an area developed on top of a garbage dump because of the resources available at the dump to build a shack, as in "tip it" (the garbage). This is an incredibly poor community of 3-4,000 people, yet within there are small beacons of hope: a day care facility with beautiful smiling children who sang and danced for us; a clinic serving many HIV/AIDS patients as well as minor illnesses and a small, woman run business selling beaded key chains, necklaces and such at modest prices. We were able to leave medical supplies for the clinic.

There was one water faucet for the whole community, otherwise a very polluted creek running nearby for drinking water and bathing.

We distributed "Mother Bears" to as many children as we could-always a delight. The adults love them, too.

AIAIA purchased 70 trees to plant along the road in Malungeni. Each tree is protected from local livestock with a fence of posts, chicken wire and barbed wire. We all had the opportunity to plant trees and look forward to watching them mature.

We traveled to town to purchase meat at the local butcher which was to be prepared by the community. AIAIA paid for the meat, local gardens provided the vegetables and in the evening, the whole community came to enjoy the meal we served them. We were then entertained by a group of young people, dancing and singing dressed in South African costumes. A light rain didn't dampen spirits as a newly roofed patio kept everyone dry.

Friday we visited the hospital serving the Malungeni community, an hour away. Out in the country, it is a place largely neglected by the government. Minimally staffed, the patients are suffering from TB (one month stay), measles, burns , opportunist infections due to HIV/AIDS, malnutrition (children mostly). We also met 5 newborns and their mothers who get to stay overnight. We supplied the hospital with surgical gloves, face masks, toothbrushes and paste and Mother Bears.

AIAIA distributes food parcels to 85 needy families quarterly in Malngeni. While most are in need, some families have been borrowing from others and have a greater need for this food. We moved the distribution up in order to be present for it during our visit. By 4:00 we had all 85 parcels lined up. The recipients started arriving with wheel barrels and strong arms to take the food home. Rev. Spiwo Zapile greeted the crowd, reminding them that this is an "emergency food distribution" and to give back to those from whom they had been borrowing. This food nourishes the whole community..body and soul.

Jim Cassidy spoke of how wonderful is was to be back with our family and to have the opportunity to provide this food.It was then that Spiwo took the hand of a few children to join hands and form a chain around and though the food parcels. The adults brought up the rear until the entire group encircled the food. As we all held hands, we thanked God with a prayer.

One by one, families were called to come forward and collect their food. It was a festive atmosphere, with everyone joining in to haul it away - some with two twenty pound bags on top of their heads, a gallon of cooking oil in one hand and a bag of frozen chicken in the other. The rest of the food was carried by families and friends. It was a scene that brought tears to our eyes and warmth to our hearts. As we bid good night to our family we saw the grateful smiles, felt the warm hugs and heard the sincere thank yous.

The overwhelming message we heard throughout our travels here in South Africa is that when they see and meet us we bring a presence of hope. We are happy to share in that hope, bit by bit.

Americans often misunderstand the meaning of success. Building human communities is a sacred process. Arm In Arm In Africa is proud to a part of that experience in South Africa. In our closing communication of this journey, with our family and friends back home, we want to thank you for being a part of this success. We close with a quote:

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day Six and Seven

It was wonderful to connect with our families in Cape Town/Guguletu. We have wonderful memories of our time there. AIAIA was able to provide some much needed equipment for the medical center where our friend, Zetu is the administrator. The staff was very excited and grateful to us for our support.

We are on day two of our three day trip to Malungeni, the Trans sky region of South Africa. Tonight it is a beautiful South Africa night on the Indian Ocean, with the waves and cooling ocean breezes rolling in. The moon,in and out of the clouds, is directly in front of our hotel over the ocean...a magical site.

In Malungeni we have plans to visit and take supplies to hospitals and clinics, serve a traditional South African meal to our families there, after which they will entertain us with dancing and songs. We will also be planting trees in the area..everyone is ready for some exercise after the extensive road trip and we are ready with our garden gloves!

It will be a few days until we have Internet access again, but please feel free to write at our individual addresses, as we love hearing from you.

God bless and thanks again for your prayers.

Jim, Pat, Linda, Bill, Paul, Kay, Jimmy, Theresa, Jack and Julie

Day Five and Six

It has been a busy weekend for us as we try to complete our work here in Cape Town area.

On Saturday morning, we were in Guguletu to observe the funerals at the cemetery. Saturday is a popular day for funerals as it is easier for people to come on a weekend, as some come as far away as the Eastern Cape. Families rent large buses to get friends and relatives to the cemetery because transportation is difficult. The very well dressed mourners sing beautiful chants and songs as well as say prayers to honor the deceased.

The Missionaries of Charity sister's welcomed us to their complex to visit the children and distribute Mother Bears as well as stickers. They delight in the bears and LOVE to have their pictures taken. See if you can find Jim Cassidy in the group picture.

The nuns there care for HIV/AIDS patients, the youngest of which is 6 months old and also house a lot of homeless people. Their gratitude for having someone to serve is overwhelming.

The afternoon was a road trip to Spier, a winery north of the city and to Stellenbosch, which is the city in which apartheid began.

The University of Stellenbosch is the South Africa "Harvard."

This morning we attended church services at JLZwane Presbyterian Church, led by Spiwo Xapile. Jim Cassidy, recognized for his leadership and contribution to this community, was asked to give the homily. As always the music and people were incredibly welcoming and warm.

The afternoon, we drove by the new soccer stadium, where the World Cup will be hosted this summer.

We leave Monday for the two day trip to Malungeni.

Thanks for your support and prayers,

Jim, Linda, Pat, Jack, Theresa, Kay, Paul , Bill, Jimmy and Julie

Day Four

We finally made it to Table Mountain today, only to get to the top and find ourselves in the beautiful mist of clouds.

Since we are always ready to slip into Plan B... that is exactly what we did....walk the path and take pictures of the flowers along the way.

We will be on a short road trip out of town on Saturday to Stellenbosch and Spier, so our next update may not be until Sunday.

Thank you, again for your support and prayers.

Day Three

Our day today was very busy and exceedingly rewarding. The Mitchells Plain's Community Health Centre was our first stop where our friend Zethu Xaplie is the Medical Administrator. Our tour included the pharmacy, medical records (all paper), the HIV/AIDS, ARV and OB Wards. Each department explained their responsiblities and challenges, with the surrounding community of 1.2 million, seeing over one thousand patients a day with a staff of over 124 people. In addition there are over three thousands patients on ARV drugs at any given time.

We met two of the newest babies in the Centre who are generally discharged with their mothers six hours after their birth.

AIAIA has asked the staff at the Centre for a small Wish List in order to assist them with their urgent needs. We hope to fill some of this list while here.

We received a very warm welcome at the Senior Centre - many of the people remembering us from previous years. To thank us for our visit our friends stood and sang two songs. Before departing we joined hands in prayer.

Back to the Centre we were entertained by the singing and dancing of Siyaya, a group of young people from the Townships, who spread the word of maintaining good health around the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A much needed message to a community ravaged by the disease.

Friends in the Townships

Later that afternoon we made home visits to our friends in the Townships, such as Lydia - who AIAIA built a new home for in the past year, Priscilla, who cares for 26 orphaned children in her own home and Nomantha, a young stroke woman who lives in the hostiles with nine other members of her family.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon doing walk abouts in the Townships and visiting with the children and families in the Townships.

Early evening we had dinner with a member of JL Zwane in his home in Mitchell Plains. We enjoyed wonderful African food and great company.

At the close of this wonderfull day we want to thank everyone again back home for your warm support and prayers. You are with us in this journey and it is much appreciated.

Your friends and family in South Africa

Day Two

Rainbow School - JL Zwane Centre

After the school day, the children of Guguletu attend the Rainbow Tutoring program. Here teachers who have already worked a a full school day help tutor children in the townships.

We also witnessed a practice in progress with a group from New York City called Broadway in South Africa. The dancers/performers from New York who are professionals from Rent and Lion King work with the children for several days. They then perform for their families on Saturday after much fun and work It was amazing to see their enthusiasm and talent.

Again, thank you for your prayers and support

Your family in South Africa