Soweto smiles

24/08/13

Today was my favourite day in Jo'burg. Any one person could repeat this day and leave with a sense of understanding and appreciation for South Africa and it's people.

We visited the Soweto Township, one of South Africa's largest. The further you drive into Soweto, the more poverty you see. The entire area is lined with decent, suburban houses. As you progress, they become typical box-shaped council houses. Even deeper into Soweto, you reach the tin shacks.

On arrival we were met by a young and very enthusiastic man. He was extremely proud to have grown up in Soweto. As soon as we crossed the bridge that led to the township, children from all directions wanted a hug. They held our hands as we walked through rows and rows of tin shacks lined with buckets and bottles and rolls of bard wire. One gentleman was kind enough to show us into his home. It was roughly six foot square and made of tin sheets. Both him, his wife and six children slept here at night. Besides common belief, this tiny little home was IMMACULATE. It was cleaner than my own home both here and in the UK. Awards and trophies lined the wall on a little shelf. I feel so privileged to have seen his home.

Two of our volunteers got a little upset when a woman approached them and begged for a loaf of bread. Besides that, the people of Soweto seem very happy and full of life. They appreciate everything they have and work through life with a smile on their face. I am so glad to have visited and hope I can return one day.

Back on the bus and sad to leave, we headed to one of Soweto's MANY churches. It was so beautiful! The photographs don't do it justice, but here you go.

We then visited a little market filled with beautiful hand-crafted African goods. I bought this head band for roughly £3. I got a discount for becoming a "citizen" of South Africa.

Headband! and iona...who I miss so much! She is in Underburg

A taste of Johannesburg...

23/08/13

Up at 8am for a busy day. Everyone was pleased to see bacon for breakfast...

Our first step was "The Children's Memorial Institute". Essentially a free children's hospital run by NGO's. NGO's are a collection of Non-Governmental-Organisations that all work together to fund and run the hospital. My initial thoughts were that the NHS wouldn't be pleased. However, it is a great hospital run by amazing people that are equipped with everything the children need.

We spent the morning in the "Lecture Hall". On entering, the door handle fell off. We received various talks from members of staff. The most memorable talk was on HIV/AIDS and Baby Shake. HIV/AIDS statistics are so unbelievable in this country. The equivalent of the entire population of Scotland are currently living with the virus. That's only those who know they have it.

After the talk we were taken to an old, neglected hospital wing. It was like a scene from a horror movie. Dust everywhere, personal files scattered the floor and creepy pipes that rattled in the background. Not to mention the South African serial killer "Daisy" that haunts the place. The idea was to enter with an open mind as to what the place could be. They hope to transform it into a therapeutic martial arts centre for the children. 

On walking back through the main hospital it's hard not to notice the excessive barred-gates and padlocks. It often felt more like a prison.We were shown to a lovely part of the hospital called the Toy Library. It was very inspirational as everything from the toy cooker that the kids played with to the chairs you sat on were made from paper mache. A very good example of recycling!

After that visit we had a tasty lunch made by the Hospital's Autistic Children. There was lot's of excitement when they brought out "South Africa's favourite Iron Brew!" Not so much excitement after we tasted it and realised it was made by Coca Cola.

After the Children's Memorial Institute we visited Constitutional Hill, an old prison that thrived throughout Apartheid. Learning about the food prisoners were given, the torture methods used and the way different races were treated was so sickening. The place was terrifying. It was however a very insightful trip. We ended the day by visiting the Constitutional Court, which I then saw on TV the next day. 

Eleven official languages of South Africa

South Africa Flag

Project Trust hoody

We had to have bear feet in a certain area of the prison

Lewis just can't help it

I love this, it's peeling paint but looks like an other worldly map

within the prison grounds

This is all the black prisoners would have to keep warm

The prisoners would create sculptures like this to impress the guards and prisoners in higher ranks

The isolation cells, markings and dates are scratched all over the inside doors

Constitutional Court

That evening, a group of us walked to a super market in Johannesburg. It all went swiftly but returning in the dark was more than a little scary.