This was one of our few visits to the Alexandra which is a poor, angry area situated alongside one of the most affluent northern suburbs of Johannesburg and established as a dormitory township for maidservants and other workers serving local domestic households.  It has now degenerated into a badly designed, over-populated hot-bed of xenophobic violence.

We always take an escort when driving into Alexandra 

- needless to say.

This time I met up with a lady called Jostina who does domestic work for Lydia, a long time KAS supporter. 

Jostina has been stitching our blankets together with some of her friends, and we always promised we would take HER blankets to a crèche of her choice, and this was the one she chose.

 I was glad of her company as she cheerfully announced, JUST as we were arriving, that "a white woman was hi-jacked last week just THERE ...." pointing at the very next roundabout/intersection.

 But all was well, of course.  We arrived early so while things were sorted out, Jostina took me on a tour of the amazing vegetable garden on the property (see pic)  and later on it was explained that women in the area each bring their own handful of assorted seeds and the talented gardener (whose name I have now forgotten) makes a specific patch for each person and tends it with his wonderfully green thumbs, and brings to fruition some abundant harvests for them 

all !! Such a brilliant idea, not seen before, not by me anyway.

We met a truly amazing woman and her story is quite harrowing. For privacy reasons we will call her Isobel.

In 2002 Isobel was dying of AIDS ... in the days when Mbeki and Doc "red onions, garlic and cabbage" Tshabalala were refusing to hand out ARVs (antiretrovirals) and millions were in the same position as she.  At the time, perhaps in a hospital ward, she met and befriended a woman named Joan who was also dying.  Joan was anxious to leave her money to a charity in Alexandra so that it would become a legacy of love and care in the community.  Isobel introduced Joan to Alexandra and she spent time "interviewing" prospective beneficiaries.  During this period, the government was pressured into rolling out ARVs and Isobel made a miraculous recovery (which she humbly attributes solely to God's mercy and special plan for her life) and so it happened that Isobel became a possible beneficiary herself  ... and indeed she was chosen by Joan. This area was registered and began its work. Things went very slowly, initially, until the inheritance came through in 2008, once Joan had passed on.

The project is well run, well known and Isobel is obviously highly respected in her area. It serves hundreds of people in all age-groups in the vicinity and I was interested when I was told that she specifically wanted the blankets to go home with each child as she personally KNOWS each child's background and could keep a close eye on any difficulties arising as a result.  Isobel felt the blankets and the message behind them to be of more value to the little ones at home, encouraging them and keeping them warm at night ... amazingly good attitude, I think, and not one we have come across very often.

This was a very special encounter and encourages me to visit Alexandra more often ... it is a den of iniquity, no doubt about that!!!

But Jostina promises to introduce us to more daycare centres there this year, and we would like to re-visit this area, workload permitting.

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Replies

  • Wow, Ronda and the team are really brave visiting such scary areas of Johannesburg!  Distributing blankets where they are most needed is definitely not a job for the faint of heart. Lovely to see the children receiving their blankets and other items.

  • Beautiful, productive vegetable garden. I've always said put women in charge there'd be less war, less violence, more care.
    Thank God for women like Jostina, Isobel and Joan.
  • A great report.  I am relieved you arrived and left in safety. The garden is super and God bless the gardener.  Stay safe ladies when you return there, do take all possible precautions, including some prayers no doubt.  The pictures are wonderful.  Seeing all of this happening is very inspiring, thank you so much for sharing it.

    On a side note I am glad I am not using Norton since it and Ning really were having a hissy fit there. Wow.  Thankfully I am using the Avast security system (the one for home is free) and no problems.  Kudos to every gal that got their thinkers into high gear and solved it.  It's felt lonely without our KAS angels around.  So glad to have you all back again ladies!

    Hugs,

    Jeanne xoxoxoxo

  • What amazing people you all are to take such risks in order to provide warmth and love to the little ones!  This inspires me to try to do more.  Your story really touched my heart this morning.  

  • Apart from the many children, I was struck by the great, wonderful garden.  Kudos to all involved! 

    • I understand that the children are usually allowed to take home their toys but what about their hats and handwarmers? It seems such a shame that they are probably only really warm while in their creches and that their home circumstances make their lives even more difficult because of sibling rivalry etc.. Another great report, thank you.

      • Usually only the blankets stay at the creche - it was found in the past Marjorie, that some parents who had an alcohol issue would simply sell the blanket, therefore, it was felt best that when possible the blankets stay at the day care/creches, but the toys, hats & hand-warmers are allowed home. However, many of the children are parentless and live with Grandparents or an elder sibling. You might like to hear that on all the years Ronda has been distributing, no child has looked at another child's blanket and wanted it instead of the one they received!!!!

  • What special women and what a lovely report, I still have tears in my eyes.  I particularly like the allotment/garden idea.  And all the result of Team SA networking.  Very well done to you all   x

  • Another super report.  Thank you so much for your persistence, ladies.  You've done a great job!

    I agree with Anne that allowing the children to take their blankets home with them does sound like a good idea, and a special treat for them.  However, I know that's not always possible, so it's nice to know that "Isobel" will be keeping an eye out for any problems.  I absolutely LOVE little angel in the cream-colored cuddle :) xo

    • Glad to "see" you Gloria !! You're missed. 

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