Personalizing Problems

Scott Michaelis January 10th, 2012 As some of the facebook pictures indicate I.ve been spent four days in the township, Delft, working and most of that time has been with kids (as all of the pictures have me covered in paints). The first day however, we got a tour of the main area in the township and we spent some time getting a tour of the clinic. For those of you at home that don't know what a township is, it is the equivalent to a shanty town, or extreme ghetto of sorts where six to eight people typically live in a single bedroom or very small home. Petty crimes are very common and drug use as well as rape seem to run out of control with some of the conversations we've had with people that live in the township. The tour of the clinic was heart wrenching and very difficult, and after the tour we took a group picture and one of our African leaders tried to get us to smile. At the time I was almost confused as it was obvious that most of us were pretty torn by the tour, but I thought about it afterwards and we collectively talked about emotions while being in these extreme conditions and tears and sympathy doesn't do a whole lot for the people living here. Human emotions are really hard to deal with while in those situations, but a smile can convey hope while I believe sympathy doesn't have a home in the township unless it helps progress someone towards help for the people living there. On another note, the days are going by way too fast and the entire experience is starting to melt together, did I mention it's hot as hell here right now?apparently it hit low 90's today in the township. I do love the summer season and its been awesome to wear shorts and plan out days to the beach, but this ginger body needs to take the heat/sun in doses. The last few days we've visited Robben Island, the two oceans aquarium, the waterfront market, the green square market, district six and are about to head to the top of table mountain for a little hiking and sight seeing (check out pictures on-line if you're unfamiliar). Tomorrow is a day off and I've been planning a few things out and hope everything pans out but I suppose I can blog about that perhaps tomorrow night. I don't want to spend anymore time blogging with weather and sight-seeing waiting. Unfortunately I'll be leaving and seeing all of you soon. :)