A Postcard from South Africa.
To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. [Nelson Mandela]
This Summer I had the privilege of going to South Africa to work in the Diocese of the Highveld for a month as part of my Summer Placement and training as an ordinand. I wanted to go to a different culture and, more especially, to a place where the Third World and First World meet. Since the Dioceses of Monmouth and Highveld have an established link it seemed an ideal opportunity to go in order to look, listen and learn from the Church over there.
I cannot begin to relate all that I experienced whilst out there. It was moving, poignant, joyful, heart-breaking and humbling, so I will share with you all a snap-shot.
South Africa is a nation of contrasts; riches and poverty live side by side. But the division of rich to poor is not necessarily defined by the colour of a person’s skin. Whilst predominantly the poorer peoples tend to be amongst the black communities, to associate poverty with race is too simplistic.
The Informal Settlements mainly contain housing made of corrugated iron and cardboard, which can be very cold in the winter and incredibly hot in the summer. They have no running water, only infrequently placed standpipes; no plumbing, so sewerage runs down the streets; no electricity. As the roads within these communities are dust tracks, I was told that in the rainy season the places become swamped by mud.
During my first week, I was the guest of Revd Lynne Coull, who took me round to many of the outreach projects in the Informal Settlements within the Diocese. We handed out many soft toys which had been generously donated by our own Diocese of Monmouth. For the rest of my time out there I taught in the Kwasa Pre-Primary School in Springs which provides food and education for the children from the informal settlements. This school is the vision of Mother Sharron Dinnie, Archdeacon of East Rand and Vicar of St Peter and St Paul, with whom I also worked in the church. The children aged between 2 and 7 years receive schooling in the mornings then, in the afternoons, a homework and after-school club runs for children aged 7 to 14 years. They are mostly Zulu, and many are orphaned or live with their granny.
It was a joy to work amongst these people for a month. Although they may have so little in material terms, the children have an infectious joy, and the church a great love and dedication to work and help these people.
The quote that I subtitled this article with reflects the heart and attitude of those working in Kwasa School. I sincerely hope I have the opportunity of going back out there to work for longer amongst the people at some stage in the future.
Heidi de Gruchy-Lambert
Sing a song for southern Africa !
Thanks goes to Ruth Sharville and friends, who found a new and innovative way to raise funds for education in southern Africa. On 12th August their singing group, TRI-O, put on a benefit concert with all proceeds to Canon Collins Trust, which provides real solutions to the enormous challenges facing southern Africa today, through otherwise unobtainable educational opportunities.
As suggested by the name, TRI-O! comprises just three singers, Louise Greening, Meurig Greening and Ruth Sharville, who managed to raise over £100 during just one lunchtime! They gave a delightful performance of solos, duets and trios connected with the British Isles. The event took place at St Mary’s Priory and Parish Church, Chepstow, with an audience of around 50 people.
Lorraine Sampson