Itipini Scattered

Dear AIAIA friends, we have received some tragic news from the Eastern Cape in the village of Itipini, a community we have been visiting since 2006 and financially supporting for a year. Violence between people living at Waterfall, a nearby community, and Itipini resulted in the community being given 10 days notice to vacate the area before it was bulldozed. As a result, the 3,000 residents of Itipini scattered.

We are still receiving information from the African Medical Mission, the program with whom we work. We understand that there are about 350 people being housed and fed in an area called Rotary Hall. The AMM is working to ID the residents and move them into government housing. The tragedy is that the people of Itipini, the poorest of the poor, have been labeled low lifes and criminals so there are some communities that don’t want them.

AIAIA is looking into what assistance we can offer the people at this time. We will update you on this situation as we obtain more information.

For a detailed update on the events, please go to the blog of Karen Langsley, who is an African Medical Mission worker from the clinic whom we met on our most recent visit: http://kareninsouthafrica.blogspot.com.

Peace and blessings,

Julie Vogl

March 5, 2012

We greet you, our family and friends, as the AIAIA delegation prepares to return to Minnesota. Our lives have been enriched by our experiences and we acknowledge our mixed emotions as we leave our South African family.

This is our thirteenth mission in twelve years. We have continued to maintain our outreach by expanding our food distribution, increasing our hospice presence, as well as providing much needed medical supplies to hospitals and clinics. AIAIA continues to identify improved education as key to improving conditions here. We are looking to commit our time and energy to focus on leadership training and skills. This expansion is a result of discussions with Reverend Xapile as well as other leaders in the South African community. We celebrate the improvements we have seen in the last twelve years and we recognize the many challenges that lie ahead, many of which will take multiple generations to improve.

Ironically, during this mission trip, Matisse Xapile, the mother of Reverend Spiwo Xapile, the pastor with whom we partner here in South Africa and a well known friend to past delegations, died while staying with her daughter in Port Elizabeth. Matisse was a proud African woman who experienced firsthand the pain and struggle of apartheid. She raised a family of seven in rural South Africa. On behalf of Arm in Arm in Africa we extend our condolences to the Xapile family; we were honored to share in her life.

This will be our last blog post for this trip. It is important for this delegation to express our gratitude for the support and prayers that you have offered during our time away. In particular we would also like to express our gratitude to the community of St. Joan of Arc and for the privilege of being one of your four sustaining partnerships. Your encouragement and financial support have empowered us to make a difference in the world.

If you have journeyed with us through this blog, we invite you to share our web site and blog with your families and friends, to financially support the work of Arm in Arm in Africa, please go to the home page and click on "donate now."

Again, we thank you for partnering with us in joining with us, arm in arm.

In closing, a Prayer for the Decade of Nonviolence:

I bow to the sacred in all creation

May my needs be few and my living simple

May my actions bear witness to the suffering of others

May my hands never harm a living being

May my steps stay on the journey of justice

May my tongue speak for those who are poor

May my prayers rise with patient discontent

May my life's work be a passion for peace and nonviolence.

March 4, 2012

Our South African journey continues as we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Lent. We are reminded of the power of Transfiguration.

A quote from Pat Cane:

We join with the earth and with each other
to bring new life to the land,
to create the human community,
to provide justice and peace,
to remember our children,
to remember who we are...
We join together
as many and diverse expressions
of one loving mystery,
for the healing of the Earth
and the renewal of all Life.

It is Sunday afternoon and our delegation is about to celebrate Eucharist. We continue to be transformed by the many human encounters. Our brothers and sisters continue to share the wealth of their joy, deep faith and overwhelming hospitality. We are welcomed and affirmed every day in countless numbers of ways.

Tomorrow we will choose to begin to think of our return to our families and friends, but for today, we share a variety of photos of our journey here.

Thank you again for your continued support.

March 4, 2012

Our South African journey continues as we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Lent. We are reminded of the power of Transfiguration.

A quote from Pat Cane:

We join with the earth and with each other

to bring new life to the land,

to create the human community,

to provide justice and peace,

to remember our children,

to remember who we are...

We join together

as many and diverse expressions

of one loving mystery,

for the healing of the Earth

and the renewal of all Life.

It is Sunday afternoon and our delegation is about to celebrate Eucharist. We continue to be transformed by the many human encounters. Our brothers and sisters continue to share the wealth of their joy, deep faith and overwhelming hospitality. We are welcomed and affirmed every day in countless numbers of ways.

Tomorrow we will choose to begin to think of our return to our families and friends, but for today, we share a variety of photos of our journey here.

Thank you again for your continued support.

March 1, 2012

A Program for Happiness

To live content with small means;

to seek elegance rather than luxury,

and refinement rather than fashion;

to be worthy, not respectable;

and wealthy, not rich;

to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;

to listen to the stars and the birds, to babes and sages with an open heart;

to bear all cheerfully, and bravely,

await occasions, hurry never;

in a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious

grow up through the common.

-W. Chandler

Our day began with a much awaited return to Itipini. This us a community of 3.000 people living in a garbage dump, with no electricity, sanitation, public transportation and two water spigots for the entire village. Arm In Arm In Africa joined in a partnership with the African Medical Mission as a way to embrace this community. We continue to provide assistance with the lumch program for the children's preschool, as well as providing medical supplies and newborn clothing for the one and only clinic in Itipini.

Father Jim was able to check in with Jenny McConnachie, the nurse who manages the clinic. Jenny reports that a few families have been able to find more secure housing outside of Itipini, however it continues to be the only choice for many coming out of the rural area of the Eastern Cape. AIAIA is hopeful of securing additional donations to assist this most impoverished community. Our visit concluded with sharing some songs and Mother Bears with the preschoolers.

We returned to Malungeni to celebrate and conclude our last evening with the community. As a gift of thanks for annually preparing the meal for the entire village, we brought AIAIA aprons for the cooks.

AAIA has traditionally purchased this meal as a way of celebrating our 12 year relationship. Our evening ended with the beautiful sounds and sights of the young people and members of our delegation sharing music and games, a true vision of a world that can come together in peace and love.

February 29, 2012

We arrived back in Maungeni to find many of our friends awaiting our arrival for Zone 19 Salon, a tradition started last year to give manicures, pedicures and massage to our friends here in Malungeni.

The journey continued with our first stop at Canzibe Hospital, a government owned healthcare facility that serves approximately 160,000 local residents. A minimal staff serves patients with HIV/AIDS, TB, Occupational and Physical rehab, OB/GYN needs and malnutrition. We were delighted to see some long overdue improvements to the physical environment, something we have not see in years. Arm In Arm In Africa delivered a large amount of medical supplies, which doubled their medical stock. We want to again thank those at home that made this possible.

This tradition originated to serve the 6 women who prepare the meal we furnish for the community and has now grown to about 40 women and men. It is a sight to behold and a joy to share.

At 3:00 the community and AIAIA gathered for one of our quarterly food distributions.

We arrived back in Malungeni to prepare for one of the quarterly food distributions. This community self selects who will receive emergency food relief with each distribution.

Today we celebrated with 80 families as they received their food parcel. A food parcel consists of flour, cooking oil, maize, beans, samp, rice, sugar and a large bag of chicken and will feed their family for approximately one month. We heard from two spokesmen from the community expressing their gratitude to AIAIA for the years we have been assisting them.

Our day concluded with a "walk about" in the surrounding community. It is a joy to encounter the children and families who have become so much a part of our lives over the years. It is an truly experience of coming home.

Peace and blessings,

February 29, 2012

The topography from Port Elizabeth to Malungeni, 600+ Km (over 400 miles), ranges from ocean vistas, to rolling plains with distant mountains as a backdrop. It was a warm day 36 C (96.8 F). We were grateful for the AC in the bus.

Travel on the small bus, which holds 18 (there are 14 of us with the driver), enables us to take the time to switch seats and thus get to know one another better, play cards, share stories, read and nap.

Near our destination we passed the home of Nelson Mandela, where the surrounding highways are under major construction to prepare for the thousands who will flock to the area as a pilgrimage when he passes.

When we stopped the bus to view his home, we spotted two curious three year olds and befriended them with Mother Bears.

A stop in Umtata (Mthatha on your map) for 3 days worth of groceries. It is a scene and experience that is always memorable.

As we approached our destination, driving down the log road, we were greeted with happy waving hands along the way.

A warm welcome from our family here lifted the fatigue of travel and touched our hearts. Blessings from us to you,

February 27, 2012

Today was a long day of travel, 760 km (471 miles), 12 hours on the bus with stops. We are on the beautiful Indian Ocean in Port Elizabeth on our way to the Eastern Cape to the village of Malungeni.

When we arrived tonight we sat down to visit with Bishop Nceba Bethlehem Nopece an Epispical bishop and Archdeacon Zwelidumile Tom from the diocese of Port Elizabeth.

The topic of discussion was the continuing struggle of the black community to rise out of the age of apartheid, which, in many areas continues dispute the legal end of apartheid in 1994. These men, along with Reverend Spiwo Xapile agree that the key to this challenge is education as well as leadership training and mentoring with the black community.

February 26, 2012

It is Sunday and time to go to church, to celebrate with our family at J.L.Zwane church. We would like to share a prayer from Archbishop Desmond Tutu,

"Oh God, all holy one

You are our Mother and our Father

And we are your children

Open our eyes and our hearts

So that we may be able to discern Your work

Help us to know that You have created us

Members of the same family

Your family...the human family

May we know war no more

As we strive to be what you want us to be:

Your children

Today was the J.L. Zwane fundraising Sunday, a once a year event where "zones" (neighborhoods) celebrate their year long efforts in raising money for their church community and outreach programs. When you consider the day to day struggles of this community to simply survive, their passion to share their money with their church is truly amazing.

We are happy to see the ongoing outreach with the HIV support groups. Arm in Arm in Africa continues to support this faith community's dedication to those that they identify as living in the shadows of society.

Reverend James Cassidy led a prayer and a blessing at the close of today's service. We are all reminded in the words of Nelson Mandela that forgiveness is necessary in many circumstances in order to move forward in life. We are all aware of the advancing years and declining health of the former president, and need to be reminded that each of us, as individuals are called to a life of reconciliation.

Members of our delegation toured Robben Island today. This is the prison where Mandela was released from being a political prisoner after 26 years.

We close with a quote from Nelson Mandela, "I pay tribute to the mothers and wives and sisters of our nation. You are the rock-hardcore foundation of our struggle."

Monday morning we leave for a two day trip to the Eastern Cape and our family in Malugeni.

Thank you for your continuted support and prayers.

February 25, 2012

Saturdays in the townships are typically the day for funerals, as family and friends come from many miles to honor the death of a loved one. The cemetery in Guguletu which we have been visiting for many years is nearly full, so it was fortunate that today we were able to see one more burial there. The funeral is formal affair, with attendees in their

finest dress, a tent over the grave and cloth covered chairs. The singing is accompanied by clapping hand drums and is joyful beyond belief.

Because of the high funeral expense and the poverty level, headstones range from modest granite to random stones or wood. It is a humbling,yet spiritual experience.

Three years ago AIAIA was able to fund the replacement shack for a woman named Lydia and her son. Shamed by her family due to their positive HIV status. Lydia lives behind her family, and as a result of their fears around HIV/AIDS, they would bleach the chairs and anything else Lydia touched.

Today Lydia welcomed us into her home. Her health and that of her son remains precarious. She was upset because a person attempted to break into her shack and broke the window. When we offered assistance to fix the window ,she responded, "I must use this for food, as we have nothing to eat."

Our evening ended with the opportunity to meet with Father Mike Lapsley. We were able to hear first hand his experiences during apartheid. Father Mike is an Episcopalian priest that arrived in South Africa in 1974 and was very involved in the movement to end political discrimination. As a result of his involvement and being identified as threat to the political powers he was sent mail bomb disguised in a religious magazine. The explosion resulted in the loss of both of his hands and one eye.

Father Mike has remained true to his conviction to peace and justice and is heavily involved in the Healing of Memories workshops.

Another busy day, it is time to rest. Off to our church celebration tomorrow.

Blessings to all of you.

February 24, 2012

Greetings from the AIAIA delegation on our third day of our South African journey. This was without a doubt our busiest day. The gift of this journey is most vividly seen in the men, women and children that we encounter. In a physical environment that carries so many needs, we continue to be gifted by the strength and determination of our sisters and brothers.

We share this quote simply entitled "Forever," The ancient symbol for forever represents the way water flows. Water flows on and on, and nearly fills up all the places for which it flows; it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose it's essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions.

We experienced the true nature of our family early this morning by our first visit to the Sisters of Charity. The women of faith continue to provide gentle and loving care to those children and adults that would have had no place to live. The women who continue to choose the way of life as seen in the person of Mother Theresa provide hospice care for 75 people.

In the township of Gutuletu there is a senior center that provides food and community for men and women who have lived and raised families in the worst years of apartheid. We had the joy of spending time with them and providing the gift of hand massages. One of the women, Betty, was quoted to say as she was getting a hand massage say, "I can feel it all the way to my heart." The feeling was mutual.

Another vivid example of women staying strong and true to themselves under all conditions was our experience at Philani. Women come together and create their own business opportunities, creating a variety of hand woven and painted products depicting the culture of South Africa.

A busy day began to conclude with a walk about in unauthorized settlements. Children and adults alike welcomed us as we walked through their neighborhoods. The unauthorized settlements consist of completely substandard housing and limited to no utility services. The settlements are situated over what was formally a city dump, making it impossible for any infrastructure other than shacks.

We closed out our day at the top of Table Mountain, grateful for your continued prayers and support.

February 23, 2012

We come to the close of our second day in Cape Town and continue to walk the thin line between hope and despair. Our family and friends in South Africa continue to teach us much about their ability to hope while living in an environment with so few resources. The effects of apartheid continue to have their effect.

From the words of Carter Woodson's What About the Front Door?, "If you can control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his action. When you determine what man shall think, you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one."

A real sign of hope in the township of Guguletu, is the Rainbow school, an after school tutoring program. The volunteer teachers continue to provide guidance and support, as well as a meal for the children of this community. Arm In Arm In Africa has supported this program for many years. The school provides the children with the realization that education is the key to discover the front door.

Jim Cassidy and Pat Murphy met with a group of young adults that presented a 5 year business plan developing a new musical enterprise. AIAIA looks forward to supporting this new venture.

Peace and blessings to you.

February 22, 2012

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. These are familiar words to all of us as we celebrate Ash Wednesday, our first day in Cape Town. We gathered at a most beautiful botanical garden to for Ash Wednesday Eucharist and to count our blessings as we are back with our friends and family in South Africa.

Late morning we met with Jan Hofmayer of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Jan described the the post apartheid South Africa and the issues of inequality and marginalization. Much work continues to be needed as the nation continues to wrestle with segregation and subsequent poverty.

In the afternoon we toured Mitchell's Plains Clinic, a "colored" health care facility blessed with the leadership skills of Zetu Xapile. AIAIA has supported this clinic for several years with much needed supplies and medical equipment.. This facility provides HIV/AIDS support, education and medical assistance to a very large population in the Cape Town area. We had the opportunity to spend time in the OB/GYN unit and celebrate with the families of newborns born today.The staff of this particular unit are a critical part of the birth and health care of the surrounding area with the delivery of over 300 babies per month.

A walk through tour of the hostels in the townships wrapped up our afternoon. This is always an eye opener to the living conditions of many in the townships with some dwellings housing up to 18 people with limited facilities.

This was a busy first day, as we adjust to the 8 hour time difference. After a quick dinner, we will sort our 600 pounds of medical supplies and bears for delivery to hospitals, clinics and daycare facilities.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Peace and blessings to you on this Ash Wednesday,

2012 Delegation Packed & Ready

February 4, 2012

Our 2012 delegation met today to pack our supply bags for our upcoming trip to South Africa. Included in our bags are 600 pounds of latex gloves, bandaids, pain relief meds, vitamins, newborn clothes and blankets and Mother Bears.

All supplies have been donated from many generous donors. We thank you for your support and prayers as we journey to South Africa, leaving February 20, 2012.