Khayelitsha Township

where's Nick?
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(Ronnie's Story) Nick, his entire family and I did a tour of the largest, single township in South Africa- Khayelitsha. Our tour guide, Jenny, is a white south African who has run tours for over four years. She was both knowledgable and passionate about people seing and understanding life in a township. While the others continued on the tour, my first stop was a clinic run by Doctors without Borders.  My guide was Gwen- a fifty-five year old woman with HIV.  Gwen has worked as a community  volunteer for over 9 years and now (even though it puts her a risk) works with newly diagnosed people with TB. In the waiting room there were hundreds of people- men, women and children waiting to be seen. Gwen held my hand and we toured the TB/HIV clinic, the pediatric and adult wards, the 3 bed trauma unit and the rape crisis center. After about a 1/2 hour and I met up with the rest of the group and we visited a craft market place, a school, Vicky's B&B (the world's smallest hotel) and a sheeban.

where's Ronnie?
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(Nick's Story)  What a day...what a day!!  Ronnie had found a group to take us in to the township and in the end the whole family decided to come.  I made it through the hospital tour, although I'm not certain how!  It was eye opening, mind boogling etc.  Within 30 seconds of the introduction a lady walked past me screaming at the death of her husband, the TB/HIV clinic was packed to overflowing and the rape crisis center and the two minute summation by its head left me in stunned silence.  I don't think that I could be a doctor...I don't know how Ronnie does it?

probably the best day so far in South Africa

A huge smile from Rebecca
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We moved on to the Arts Center that has been set up for tourists to purchase local art/crafts as part of the tour.  I bought Rebecca and Rachel their Christmas presents and laughed and laughed at Rapper Bill (see photos).

The highlight of the day for me was the kindergarden school, opposite the craft center.   We were engulfed when we went into the playground and had half an hour 'playing....or being man handled' by the kids.  I found the smallest, quietest boy, Wonga who was just sitting with a football.  He let me pick him up but wouldn't let go of the ball (see photos).  After a few minutes he finally said hello, no smile, just hello.  A great experience for all of us and one that I'm sure made a huge impression on Rebecca and Rachel.

..and one from Bill
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The last major stop was at Vicky's B&B in the middle of the township.  I spent most of my time in the street with Tonta, the 10 year old boy in the wheelchair.  He can't go to school because he cannot get specialised transport but he was bright, funny and intelligent.  Vicky made a big impression on Bill and Judith with her life story..a strong woman.

4 hours later we were back on the Waterfront in Cape Town, each of us with our own thoughts and memories of a fantastic experience with wonderful people.