On our last full day in Africa we were privileged to find our some more about the charity Mercy Air where we are staying .
We had a presentation from the team leader Jeremy who explained how Mercy Air use aeroplanes and helicopters to get people and essential goods to remote places in southern Africa. We also were shown around the helicopter hangar by one of the pilots, Joel.
On this quieter and less busy day we also had chance to think some more about some significant moments of our time with Hands at Work. Some of the team have written about their thoughts below...
(Names changed*)
During our time visiting families within the community, we met lots of inspirational people who encounter so many difficulties on a daily basis yet demonstrate great resilience and strength throughout it all. Their faith and belief in God is what helps them get from each day to the next and have hope for positive change to come. One of the families we met that this was evident for, shared a story that touched those who met them:
We met a woman called Zoe*, she is 24 years old and the head of her household. She lives with her 3 siblings (Brodie*, Freya* and Dina*) and her own 2 children (Elliot* and Sadie*). Zoe’s mother left the family and lives in the capital city, hours away from her children and grandchildren. She works, but does not support her children in any way. Her departure was very difficult on the siblings and causes a lot of tension between the sisters especially when the mother returns and causes friction. Zoe really struggles to find the money for food, electricity and basic essentials for her family. Her eldest sibling Brodie, aged 17, tries to generate an income by selling things at the market. However, he is often unsuccessful, which has a huge emotional impact on him and Zoe. Their house was in need of repairs, the roof on the shack that leant against the main building, was leaking and unstable. Exposed electrical wiring lay right underneath the leaking roof which creates a huge hazard. Brodie sleeps alone in this shack, whilst the other 5 all share one small room.
Zoe’s oldest child Elliot visits the care point, he says he loves going because he gets to eat. Zoe has asked the care point for help in the past and they have provided her with essentials such as washing powder.
Meeting this family was very impactful, the service centre worker helped the sisters (Zoe*, Freya* and Dina*) resolve their conflict and work out a plan to execute chores around the house. Further work with the charity has ensured that this family will receive support with food. This is another example of the benefits the charity and workers have on families within their community.
It was a privilege to meet this family, they were welcoming, kind and inspiring.
Aoife
A story I would like to share, was a family who lived quite a distance from the care point in Mafambisa. The family’s situation was really complex and involved a collection of very difficult circumstances, some too sensitive to discuss. We met with Gogo JayJay* and her daughter Dominique*. There were 4 children who also lived within the home, two were Dominique’s children and two belonged to Dominique’s sister. Both Dominique and JayJay tried to get piece work whenever they could, but were often unable to get any. They had no documents and therefore weren’t entitled to any child benefit and so often went without food or had only herbs from the garden to eat. They did own their land, but the house leaked significantly and the family didn’t have a toilet. Both JayJay and Dominique expressed their gratitude at the care provided for the children at the care point. They felt blessed by the fact people care enough to help and were thankful that the children had at least one good meal a day during the week. Both JayJay and Dominique had worries and anxiety about how to provide for each other and the children. Despite their worries and the adversity they faced each day they were full of hope and positive spirit. They welcomed us with beaming smiles and laughed often. They had a great amount of strength and resilience to keep going, they had hope in God that he would provide. They fully trusted in God and his goodness. -
Kerry
The care workers strength throughout our time at the care point is truly inspirational. To go through your own difficulties while still caring for other families and children and Gogo’s takes unimaginable strength. Their willingness to open up about their struggles to a group of strangers shows that we may overlook their struggles when we are presented with large groups of young children who go through so much, but at the end of the day so do the care workers and we must listen to their stories because they are equally as important, as they are the backbone to the care point and care for all these children as if they are their own and putting their needs before their own. So when they
told us their struggles it opened our eyes to how important it is that they are backed and cared for.
Lucy
One service centre worker was called Audres, who to me was a huge father figure to the community we went to.
Audres & Jesse preparing lunch
(A game which the children really enjoyed)
To me he stood out because as a man, he makes a huge impact on the kids lives, because they don’t have m any positive male role models.
Jesse James Palmer
