Botswana, South Africa - Disaster Shakti - Multicultural Center for Research and Practice - Antioch University New England

Disaster Shakti - Botswana, South Africa - Team Journals

June 18, 2007, 12:15 a.m., Cullinan Hotel, Capetown
Amanda Blanchard

What an astonishing and breathtaking view atop Table Mountain. I am unsure where the clouds meet the sky, as we seem to be in the midst of them. I cannot wait to see the pictures. I am thoroughly enjoying myself and am so thrilled I decided to go on this journey. I feel so lucky to witness everything that is occurring around me. Sitting here, reflecting upon today, I have an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. If you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. I am in South Africa this evening, completely successful.

Robben Island, I believe, is not something that you can process in one day. I have many strong feelings festering inside of me and hope that in time they can come out, and I can accurately share this experience with others. An initial thought that I had upon returning to the hotel, looking around, and slipping into my down comforter bed was, “Wow...I have so much to be thankful for”. I felt a bit of guilt as I thought of the brave souls who endured the minimalist of conditions for what they believed in. Dr. West Olitunji (our group leader) teaches me a lifelong lesson. It is not helpful to feel guilty for my possessions and privilege, but to work as hard as you can so others may have access to them.

June 19, 2007, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Amanda Blanchard & Timothy Gillespie

Merle McOmbring-Hodges, Coordinator of the Office of Internal Affairs at CPUT, warmly welcomed our outreach team to their institution. Students and professors openly hosted a luncheon during which we were able to exchange information and ideas regarding the institutions we represented. Flags of many nations were on display around the room in representing the home countries of current students at CPUT. Following the food and meet and greet we transitioned to their oval shaped conference room where presentations were offered on their innovative HIV/AIDS preventions programs. Both Mr. Ashraf Mohammed and Mr. Peter Leroux (each at different campuses) were obviously excited and compassionate about their cause. Multiple approaches are part of their strategic HIV/AIDS prevention program including community outreach, testing (pre and post test counseling), and care and support groups. The effectiveness of their programs is reflected in the example of a psychologist from CPUT who spearheads testing days that draw students in the hundreds. Part of the success of these programs has been fueled by the administrations willingness to be openly tested themselves.

On a personal level, we were impressed and inspired by a young Muslim woman who disclosed to us that she is HIV positive and has had the disease for the past thirteen years. Students at the university appear to be personally dedicated to affecting positive change within their university community. Some examples of this include a health educator who is available to students twenty-four hours a day if they desire support surrounding their feelings. We felt honored to be in the presence of individuals who are actively making history and are pioneers to the cause of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in what can be a tumultuous political and social environment. They remain enthusiastic in the face of many obstacles including denial, stigma, and personal risks to themselves.

June 27th Disaster Shakti Outreach in Johannesburg Days 1, 2, 3, and 4
Amanda Blanchard

We have seen so many since we last wrote home; I will do my best to summarize my most meaningful moments. At the Nelson Mandela museum, my favorite artifact on display was the first pair of shoes that he purchased after being imprisoned for 27 years. Also in Soweto, Regina Mundi Catholic church was filled with bullet holes and destruction as the government police violated the building and parishioners simply for speaking in their native language. As I prayed in one of the pews, I could feel the unity and strength of this community and its people.

Hector Peterson Museum and Apartheid Museum were both powerful and depressing. Heavy oppression and bloody brutalization of all ages were in display. I couldn’t tear myself away from the videos of townships being attacked. June 16th is National Children’s day to commemorate and remember many children who died in this struggle, Hector Peterson being the first.

After speaking about misery I feel it is crucial to mention many wonderful moments as well! Driving through the countryside on the way to Kruger National Park (a bus ride of 12 hours :) the countryside was breathtaking. I read many travel magazines and am inspired and hopeful to see something as beautiful. What I saw was much more amazing than anything I have ever seen. I cannot put into words the beauty of the vegetation, waterfalls, windy cliffs, and picturesque skies. A camera could not possibly capture its essence. I had to remind myself to remain in the moment to absorb it fully, and those images will be in my memory for a lifetime. I am hoping to be able to share this someday with loved ones.

My experience of Sithand’izingane Care Project was deep, moving, and inspiring. I have a newfound hope in mankind. A genuine relationship was formed and I know that amazing work was done. We were able to facilitate in having the community volunteers give positive feedback to one another and widen their support systems, for even after we left. Some heavy self-disclosures were made, for some people for the first time. We created an environment where they felt safe.

Lastly, I feel obligated to mention two quotes that I overheard volunteers say to each other. “I get paid in smiles” and “I see Jesus in you”. The young man who received the compliment was so taken aback he asked for an explanation. When he got it, his eyes filled up with tears and thanked the women who praised him.

I very much enjoyed singing “We are the world” in unison. I watched that video as a child many times, so to be in Africa, singing it with people feeling truly connected was quite a remarkable moment.

July 4th
Amanda Blanchard

I attended Marang Junior Secondary school in Gaborone, Botswana, today. I was amazed by the overwhelming duties of one guidance counselor. She was responsible for the physical and mental health of over eight hundred students. Mrs. Reginah Gaorengwe counsels students upon requests from teachers, makes referrals to outside agencies, and even serves as acting school nurse. Using an office the size of a small closet, here she conducts her work.

Blair, a student from the University of Florida, and I chose to spend the day at this school. We began the day by having a three-hour session with a young woman who is HIV positive and is extremely neglected by her caregivers. Both parents have passed away, and her maternal uncle has assumed the responsibility of raising her. She is given her ARV’s at 5 a.m. and then gets violently ill, as she does not have adequate food in her system. Mrs. Gaorengwe is very concerned about this child, but also feels uneasy about making waves contacting the uncle. This young woman is very small for her age, and developmentally looks about eight years younger than she really is. She speaks English as a second language, so I feel that some of our work is lost in translation. Blair and I encourage this young woman to participate in strength building exercises. We emphasize her many positive qualities, attempt to empower her, and hope that after we leave, she will continue to be able do this for herself. During this visit she asks many insightful questions such as, “Why are you white and I am black?”, “Why do so many people in Africa have AIDS?” Blair and I were taken aback by her honesty, took a few moments, and did our absolute best to answer her questions. I will never forget this brave young woman and feel honored to have come across her path.

Later in the afternoon I met with a young woman who had lost her mother earlier in the week and now had the sole responsibility of raising her younger siblings. This young woman was rather withdrawn and did not engage. She was able to draw us a picture of what her dream would look like if it came true. She drew a picture of herself in a nurse’s uniform graduating from college. I will pray for her that she is able to achieve her aspirations.

A poster on Mrs. Gaorengwe’s office captured my eye. It read as follows:

Aims and Objectives of the Guidance & Counseling Department

We exist to bring reality to the young people by providing information on life skills.
By sensitizing our pupils on HIV/AIDS issues, we spread the AIDS message.
What is the point of our students doing well in Math and Science if they die of AIDS, a few years later because of ignorance?
AIDS is a killer - it’s a fact!