“They might forget what we said but they’ll never forget the way we made them feel.” As we wait to start the work on the community center, Rebecca explains to me how government-contracted controllers will be coming in trucks to distribute money to the ‘grannies’ and to the pregnant teens. The controllers travel throughout Malugeni and surrounding villages all month. It takes them to the 25th of every month to make one stop in each given area. After talking with Rebecca and one of the controllers, Michael and I were informed somewhat of what this process entails.
You must meet with a social worker first and then apply for the money. Examples of how to get approved to receive the money woman must be 60, men 65 and out of work, pregnant girls 14 and younger also qualify, among other special circumstances. Rebecca finds that the girls intentionally will get pregnant just to qualify to receive the govt issued funds. It seems the money given to the girls goes towards their “selfish wants” for better or “smart clothes” as Rebecca refers to them. This could lead to more boyfriends and more pregnancies, more money in a repetitious process. It’s questioned whether the young mothers use the money to feed and care for the babies. Rebecca says that unfortunately, this irresponsible behavior is too common here.
While cleaning out the pit (aka cell) in the community center, Michael, Rebecca and I were surprised by a policeman who peeked in….curious as to what we were doing in this storage area. He joked that we were looking for money! His purpose for being at the community center at this time is to protect the elders in line waiting for their money because men have been known to rob the elders of their monthly payments. While cleaning out tires, shoes, beer cans and bottles and much other debris and waste, I am again impressed with how mature and well spoken Rebecca is. She agreed to do an interview for the documentary my brother and I are working on. I am confident that her point of view on her community and South Africa in general will resonate with the young adults in the USA, which thrills me.
My brother Ryan tells us of how things went at school with his math teachings. He never thought he would be doing this, but is delighted and made a positive and effective influence on the children. He especially enjoyed helping the children who needed special attention.
In the afternoon, some of us went on quite the adventure with Vuyo into Umtata for groceries. We trekked down the dirt road hoping to hitch a ride to the main road to then get another ride into town. The first ride was “interesting” because there were holes in the floor -- apparently eroding -- where we were sitting, and the roof of the car was so low we all were scrunched and hunched together like sardines. We laugh the whole way though wondering if this is what Michele meant when she had suggested “waiting for the better ride to come along….” Vuyo took us to the mall to use the bank and bumped into old friends, enjoying being our tour guide.
Later, we discussed options for transportation to get to the ‘Pick and Pay’. It does not look hopeful. As we begin to feel discouraged by Vuyo’s negotiations, out of no where Mazwai appears!!! He saves us! A familiar face in a crowd of so many! We all are so grateful and relieved.
We all are fully taking notice to the pace we must adjust to. Now we must find and meet with Chan who has successfully rented a car for the weekend.. A new, safe, comfy VW, yay! We have now named him our “chief.”
After all the groceries are collected, an executive decision was made that we must get the exact bread we had from “day one,” yet we don’t even know what that is! What we do know is that we must get it at another yet another grocery store on the way back. This is when traffic has completely jammed up and the people are everywhere in the streets. It’s utter chaos. Chan and Vuyo are elected to ‘run in’ and grab the bread. HA HA ….an hour later they return. While we had been waiting in the car, all white woman loaded in a van, hysterical laughing from being tired… alongside Ryan listening to an IPOD. The ride back was even better as we missed one of the turns due to distracting chatting taking place in the van. We do have a moment of silence as we all take in the vast land and gorgeous sunset. It was an experience all of us won’t forget!
All of this confirming that I am in the right place at the right time!
- Erin O’Connell
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