ANSA International Program Blog

Today ends my first week of work in Cape Town.  I leave in a few minutes to catch my flight to Windhoek, Namibia and honestly, I'm relieved to have a few minutes to rest my mind on the plane. 

It is impossible to capture within the boundaries of this text box the scope of things I have seen and learned thus far.  My goal has been to gain an understanding of what kinds of programs are in place now, who is providing what and to whom, how services are coordinated or integrated, and how ANSA may fit into the whole picture.  Across the board, everyone has been incredibly gracious, first in agreeing to meet with me, and second in spending as long as necessary to give me all they feel is important for me to know.  They have also asked good questions about ANSA and have been generous in providing connections to other organizations or individuals that may be helpful for us to meet.

I have visited health clinics, community centers, schools, non-profit organizations and individuals throughout the city of Cape Town, the wineland city of Paarl, and nine area townships (massive mostly shack-riddled areas where blacks and "coloreds" (mixed race) had to live under apartheid's residential segregration laws and where many millions still live).  My first legal pad is already full and I have collected at least five pounds of reports, brochures and papers.  I will recount some of the more remarkable facts and figures in a later blog, but as my time is limited now I will briefly share just a bit of some of the cultural observations...and frankly, I wish Americans would adopt some of these...

Singing is a very common and important way of communicating in the townships.  Meetings often start with a song and prayer, and songs are often used to transition between issues and to recognize or honor special mentions.  While attending a community meeting about an early childhood development program with 80 women and two men, it was wonderful hearing the traditional songs of welcome, unity and blessings rise in rich, deep Xhosa voice, bringing about a powerful sense of togetherness.  Just this morning while visiting a large community clinic, the people in the waiting rooms sang greetings to me, and a room full of home health care workers sang and danced yet another song.  The director of the clinic had, of course, said that I was visiting to learn about the program and she encouraged the patients and staff to "make me feel welcome."  Each time we entered a room, one person would just stand right up and begin a song, then everyone else joined in.  A warm welcome indeed.

Agendas for community meetings are not set until everyone is together, and the group determines what they will talk about.  I was told that if someone comes in with an agenda, they are not trusted, as then it is not a community-focused meeting but a management-focused meeting.  The woman who ran the early childhood development meeting was one of several women "foot soldiers" who founded Ikamva Labantu with Helen Lieberman, and boy did she know how to knock out a productive and collaborative meeting! 

I get a lot of "God bless you" here, and everywhere I go in the townships I hear, "God has been so good, we are truly blessed to have....".  The pervasiveness of spiritual "good health" is extensive, and this important cultural aspect is taken into consideration in the structure and conduct of most social programs.  I have been told many times that the health of the person includes all parts of their lives, and in these communities they truly respect this fact.

I must catch my taxi now.  My next blog will have reflections and observations from Namibia...once again, I can't wait to see how things unfold!

Peace to all...Mary