"Simple Things"

Arm in Arm in Africa: A Retrospective

Where to begin…

Just an update on a few of the things we’re leaving behind in South Africa. Spiwo, Zethu, Jan, Johan and the many people we’ve interacted along our journey have showed us how much has been done… and how much work remains. The contributions we were able to make to various programs are sure to make a big difference. Each of us have also “chipped-in” along the way to find a few more little things that we hope will bring a little more joy or comfort.

Storage Container turned Waiting Room

Take, for example, the Brown’s Farm Clinic. Like many buildings we encounter in settlements and rural areas, it is made-up of large shipping containers connected together with doors and windows cut into them. During our visit there, we saw small spaces between treatment rooms packed with people avoiding the sun as they waited all day hoping to be treated. Zethu said it is even worse in winter months, when there is no waiting room (temperatures can be near freezing). She said a container was available to create a waiting room, but materials would be needed… so we seized the opportunity. If you look at the shipping container in the attached photo today you would see it being cleaned and painted with flooring installed as the new waiting room.

We saw medical needs wherever we traveled, especially in rural areas. We are thankful to have people with many different skills in our group of 12, including the medical experience. There are a number of occasions where they have seen someone with an injury and stepped-in to provide basic treatment. At a moment’s notice, other individuals come forward with infected spider bites, burns, lesions, etc. and had an impromptu first-aid session (cleaning, bandages, ointment, etc.). Since medical treatment is typically many miles away (which would have to be walked) and treatment would take all day (if they are even able to be seen), most don’t seek assistance. Some times, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Charlie with some of the provisions

We arrived in Malengeni with our stickers, toys, songs, treats and other things. What we really knew people needed, we couldn’t easily pack… food. Spiwo was not sure what his American family were up to, but we set out in our two vans for a neighboring town. Our contributions were added to those from home and we left the grocery with our vans packed - followed by a delivery truck with several hundred pounds of additional goods (staples in picture like maize, sugar, salt, etc.). A few hours later, the idea for a meal for our “extended” family became a reality (serving more than 160). Provisions sufficient were distributed very informally by members of the community to about 20 of the most needy families in the village. Most had no food at all. Now they have enough to tide them over the next two to three weeks, helping them return to self-sufficiency.

If you’ve spent any time in the 104-degree heat of South Africa you’d know that a little shade can provide precious relief. There is little natural shade available along the paths and roads of rural South Africa, since trees have been harvested for materials and firewood. Since most people have to walk everywhere, they spend many hours each day in that blazing sun. This is especially difficult for women who are caring for children. One of our shopping trips included an umbrella hunt! You see a few people with them even when there’s not a drop of rain in sight, but most people can’t afford them. We distributed our umbrella purchases to a group of women in the village who really are the backbone of the community. One could not have expected such joy from such a simple gift. The women danced and sang (and we danced and sang with them) at their new treasure. We know today there’s a little more shade today around Malengeni.

Just a few stories we thought we would share… of simple things, that we hope will touch many lives.

Jeff and Rita Nohner have volunteered to act as scribe and shutterbug for this journey to South Africa. Jeff is also the designer of the www.ArmInArmInAfrica.org website which we encourage you to visit.