On the 2nd to last day of our time in Senchi Ferry, we were lucky enough to see their annual regional culture celebration which pits schools together in a friendly competition of music, dance, & drumming. It was pretty amazing to see that even in a village as poor as this how much they value their cultural heritage and the importance of kids and the arts.
After saying goodbye to those doing a 2-week program, we are down to the final four for the last week. Our contruction is coming along slowly but surely. We had a great party with village chiefs and workers. It is quite a site to see them in their full regalia. The kids continue to amaze us. On Friday we visited two 7th graders in their homes. They were articulate and gracious hosts with high ambitions (a doctor and a nurse). My guess is both will reach those ambitions, hopefully in the clinic we are helping to build.
The people in and around the village really are the best part. They are hospitable, consumately happy, and so appreciative of our presence. The kids are always smiling and are giddy everytime we come around to play games with them at recess. They laugh uncontrollably when I put "my backside in" for Hokey Pokey. Pictured here are Christy, one of our cooks, Ben, our Assistant Team Lead, and Mr. Zachary, one of the town leaders who monitors our daily work and amazes us with his knowledge of the world, American politics, history, sports, etc., even though he has never left African soil. And, last but not least, Pete Smith, my 70 year old roommate on his 4th Global Volunteer journey, who makes me feel young every day.
Each morning we walk about one mile from our guest house to the Senshi Ferry village clinic. Judy and Lynn peel off to their respective schools to teach. Holly ducks into the clinic to work with new moms. And Ken, Pete(70!), Patrice and I report to the construction site where a new clinic patient ward is in the works. For the next 3-4 hours we painstakingly pile sand, dirt, and cement together with water and mold them into the bricks that will build the clinic. Everything in Senshi is done by hand. No mixers or power tools of any kind. The sun is excruciating by 9 am so we can only work in 15-20 minute intervals without a water break. So far our record is 120 bricks but this week we hope to get to 200 in a day. The bricks lay in the sun for approx 2 weeks to dry and strengthen before use. We will then lay them into place to shape the walls of the new building.
Day 7 was one of contrast. A morning hike up Lions Head showed off views that were almost as beautiful as Table Mountain. A fun hike/climb too that included sections where you needed to pull yourself up by a chain or anchor points (Moffatt you would have loved it!
The afternoon was much more somber as I took a tour of one of the local townships where Blacks were moved to in the 60s and 70s. Sadly squalid conditions, and yet everyone greets you with smiles. It occurred to me that -- rich or poor, black or white, American or African -- the basics of human existence are the same -- people work, chat, eat, shop, share a drink, celebrate, care for their kids, and grow old. Only the circumstances and surroundings change. These folks don't seem to mind their situation. In many ways they looked much more happy than the typical New York pedestrian. Maybe they are.
