April 16 and 17, 2009
We moved on the 16th to our new homes – I am now with Andy and Liz Ismay – two very kind Rotarians of the Newlands Club. Andy is the incoming president of the club. We dropped off our suitcases at the various homes and then met to go to District 6 of Cape Town. This is an area where 35,000 residents were ordered to move to government housing – they all lost their home, sense of community, many jobs, and contact with friends. It was a tragic time in the history of South Africa – it happened all over the country – not just in District Six.
The museum was very interesting. We traveled from District Six to the government housing to some of the most beautiful homes in the area eventually finding our way to Lavender Hill School.
Lavender School is a school in a ghetto that struggles with trying to educate these underserved youth. The drop out rate is about 60%. Rotary is involved in a soccer field, providing services, books and vegetable garden for these students and family.
Jackie James and her significant other showed us around today. She is very kind and enjoys laughter. She is a previous GSE member and leader – what an extraordinary woman!
We presented at the Rotary Club of Wynberg last night – what a receptive group the Rotary Club of Constancia was there as well and a surprise visit from the District Governor – Karl and his spouse Ina were appreciated. Ina insisted that Ina Road in Tucson was named after her. We agreed and told her we would take care of insuring that everyone in Tucson understands her desire!
Friday – April 17, 2009
Today was another interesting day – they all are it seems. I had difficulty sleeping last night and so had little energy this morning. My first meeting was at a hospice called Saint Luke’s Hospice. The psychologist/minister I was to meet with had a conflict – he had to teach a class and so we only met for five minutes. I spent a few hours sitting in the lobby of the hospice. It was not a big deal – simply awkward.
Pat Steward and Corinne Hudson were our guides today and were very kind. After the hospice we went to a school called TSiBA – a degree program for business administration. What an amazing program. They work with the students to learn business in very innovative ways – and they are required to give back to the school and community in helping business grow and act as leaders in the community. It was wonderful the enthusiasm, excitement and dedication within this program by staff and students were remarkable. This may be a program I would like to support – unfortunately I did not meet the psychologist. She is a legend at the school helping the students, family and staff with many issues. I gave my card to the staff and asked that they have the psychologist contact me when she returns from her time away.
One student from this program – was awarded a Nelson Mandela Rhodes Scholarship! The school is only five years old. I love this school!
We had lunch at a small café in Khayelitsha. The food was basic yet tasty and sufficient. The staff gave all of us hugs as we walked in – the laugher from the staff and the kitchen was infectious.
We then visited Umtha Welanga – a program that offers foster services for AIDS orphans, training for those with AIDS, help for families. This project moved us as well and it is my intention to (along with many other DVDs of other projects) educate the clubs in D 5500 about opportunities to make a difference in this great country and district. Rad Fisher and Rodney Mazinter made a huge difference via of GSE programs and it is my wish to do the same – by following in their footsteps!
I did ask Pat - our coordinator – if she could arrange for me to visit with Human Resource people as we move along. I explained that EAP is closer associated with HR than with counselors – with the poverty, drug usage, marital problems, and AIDS issues it seems that I could be more effective in explaining what EAP is and does to some of these corporations!
I was able to give a gift of a bolo tie and necklace to Andy and Liz Ismay – they seemed to enjoy the gifts. They are kind people and tonight we will all go to a braai for the evening.
Tomorrow we will visit Kirstenbosch Gardens.
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