We have heard horror stories from others who have tried to renew their Visas in South Africa. Our friend, Franciscan Sister Dierdre, started her application for renewal last September. The papers she submitted have been lost three times and she still has not received her renewed visa. She has phoned them every two or three weeks as they requested, with a registration number, repeated long details to them on the phone, and still not been granted the visa. She in not alone in this situation, as we have heard similar stories from others. The Home Affairs Office, which handles visas and other business is apparently overwhelmed. I have heard that they process 4.000 applications from refugees every month as well as other business.
I had hoped to get the application form on the internet. I learned that it is necessary to go to the Home Affairs office just to get the paper. Tim and I went to the nearest Home Affairs office last Tuesday. We learned that that office does not have the forms, and we were given directions to another office some miles away.
We arrived there to find a line of people outside of the building. We joined the line and stood for 1 - 2 hours. There was traffic in and out of the door ahead of us. Some of those people must have been jumping their turn, because when the number ahead of us got to about 10, the number stayed the same even though there was traffic in and out. Finally I went into the building to see what I could. There was a staircase which people went up to a small area at the top of the stairs which was filled with a crush of people. They were standing against a gate which held a small area the size of a small elevator. Inside that gate there was another crush of people. There was a guard inside with the people. I think perhaps he was trying to let one person in as one left. I asked him about getting a blank application form. He said that I needed to go inside. When I repeated my request for just getting the paper, a different man gave me a form. I said I needed two, and could I copy this one. He said I could.
I went outside to where Tim was waiting in line. We looked at the form which is titled "Application For Renewal of Existing Permit" We are not sure that this is the correct form, but we have filled it out and gotten the signature of the St. Francis Care Center Manager on the form
In the following days we gathered the supporting documents which we might need for the Visa Renewal. We plan to try Step 2 of the process on this coming Tuesday. We plan to go to a different Home Affairs site with the hope that the crush of people will be less or more fairly handled.
Cecilia
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Village grannies brave the crocs
Yesterday's daily paper had a picture and a story that gave me another new view of South Africa. The article told of retirees who need to risk drowning each month when they are forced to cross a raging, crocodile-inhabited river to collect their old-age pensions. The elderly, school children and mothers carrying children have for years braved the river as the nearest bridge is more that 45 km away. A week ago an eight year old schoolgirl drowned while crossing the river to attend a school activity.
For years these people have been pleading for a footbridge. That plea has not been answered. So now the grannies form a human chain and roll their clothes up before crossing the river. The journey does not stop when they have braved the crossing as they then must walk another 10 km to reach the pay point. One of the women was quoted as saying: "We better be eaten by the crocodiles than stay at home without collecting our pension. Others stay with orphans here and they have to collect child support grants to ensure that there is food for the children in the house."
The local mayor was "shocked" to hear from the newspaper of the retiree's plight. He said that he would have asked for social development assistance for help.
Cecilia's comment: The mayor not knowing about the local situation is the only part of the situation that I had known something about. The officials of townships are not local people, but appointees of the ruling political party who may live a great distance from the area they are supposed to serve.
For years these people have been pleading for a footbridge. That plea has not been answered. So now the grannies form a human chain and roll their clothes up before crossing the river. The journey does not stop when they have braved the crossing as they then must walk another 10 km to reach the pay point. One of the women was quoted as saying: "We better be eaten by the crocodiles than stay at home without collecting our pension. Others stay with orphans here and they have to collect child support grants to ensure that there is food for the children in the house."
The local mayor was "shocked" to hear from the newspaper of the retiree's plight. He said that he would have asked for social development assistance for help.
Cecilia's comment: The mayor not knowing about the local situation is the only part of the situation that I had known something about. The officials of townships are not local people, but appointees of the ruling political party who may live a great distance from the area they are supposed to serve.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Current News and a Balance
Today I read a newspaper that had three disturbing items. This was a daily paper, not a scandal sheet.
The first story was about a man who with about 50 others in this one suburb, goes down through the man hole cover into the sewer system with a bucket to sort through the sewage looking for items worth retrieving. He explained that he has been out of work for 5 years and got tired of looking for handouts or being hungry. He says with the sewer items he can get enough to eat and a rough place to sleep.
The second story was about a man who has been in custody for over two years waiting for a trial for a crime. The case has been continually postponed for a variety of reasons having to do with the justice system. The conditions of over crowding and deprivation where he is held were described. He has little hope of the case being settled soon.
Then there was an article warning the readers of ten ways in which they could easily be taken advantage of with their computers, credit cards, etc.
This week on the TV news there was footage taken by a bystander of the police beating up a man. The scene was terrible. But perhaps more upsetting for me was the background laughter of the other people on the scene.
I remember when were in formation in 2003, one of the directors suggested that Christians should have the newspaper in one hand and the bible in the other. I am glad that I have the resource of the scriptures. I have also been studying a helpful book, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life. This book is a compilation of writings by Henri Nouwen. It has a great deal to say that is a balance to the many problems of the world.
Cecilia
The first story was about a man who with about 50 others in this one suburb, goes down through the man hole cover into the sewer system with a bucket to sort through the sewage looking for items worth retrieving. He explained that he has been out of work for 5 years and got tired of looking for handouts or being hungry. He says with the sewer items he can get enough to eat and a rough place to sleep.
The second story was about a man who has been in custody for over two years waiting for a trial for a crime. The case has been continually postponed for a variety of reasons having to do with the justice system. The conditions of over crowding and deprivation where he is held were described. He has little hope of the case being settled soon.
Then there was an article warning the readers of ten ways in which they could easily be taken advantage of with their computers, credit cards, etc.
This week on the TV news there was footage taken by a bystander of the police beating up a man. The scene was terrible. But perhaps more upsetting for me was the background laughter of the other people on the scene.
I remember when were in formation in 2003, one of the directors suggested that Christians should have the newspaper in one hand and the bible in the other. I am glad that I have the resource of the scriptures. I have also been studying a helpful book, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life. This book is a compilation of writings by Henri Nouwen. It has a great deal to say that is a balance to the many problems of the world.
Cecilia
Monday, January 2, 2012
A Wonderful Park
Yesterday was a holiday for New Years. Tim went for a walk in the morning. He likes to walk in places he has never been before. Yesterday he walked about nine miles through neighborhood streets . When he returned he was very enthusiastic about a park that he had found. He wanted us to drive there in the afternoon so I could see it.
This park is just a few miles from the St. Francis Care Center in a neighboring suburb of Johannesburg. When we got there we saw that the parking lot was almost full. And there were many people scattered around the park which is several blocks in size. The people were a wonderful assortment of races, with native black people, people from India, and some white people. Families were in small groups around the grills, but the children were playing in mixed groups.
We started to see the animals that were roaming free in the park. There were rabbits, peacocks, piglets, ducks, geese, and a swan. These animals were widely scattered, some of them along the pond which was quite extensive. Then from a distance I say a camel. We went closer and saw that the camel, two horses, and a miniature pony pulling a small cart were in a fenced area, and being led for children to take rides.
There were train cars with a refreshment stand in one of the cars with carrots for the animals being sold as well as treats for the humans. Inside the train there were tables set up for eating and attached to the train was an outside raised area with picnic tables.
There was a great accumulation of farm equipment scattered throughout the park painted red, blue, green and yellow for children to climb and play upon. There was also some regular playground equipment. In one area there was a small motorized vehicle for rent for children to drive around a track.
There was also a number of fenced areas scattered among the grassy park areas. These included pens for long horned cattle, donkeys, pigs, ostriches, sheep and goats. There was another fenced area for chickens and other farm fowl.
The people seemed relaxed as they enjoyed the park. The children seemed to be having a wonderful time. I am really grateful that Tim discovered this park and that we had this very positive experience of African family life.
Cecilia
This park is just a few miles from the St. Francis Care Center in a neighboring suburb of Johannesburg. When we got there we saw that the parking lot was almost full. And there were many people scattered around the park which is several blocks in size. The people were a wonderful assortment of races, with native black people, people from India, and some white people. Families were in small groups around the grills, but the children were playing in mixed groups.
We started to see the animals that were roaming free in the park. There were rabbits, peacocks, piglets, ducks, geese, and a swan. These animals were widely scattered, some of them along the pond which was quite extensive. Then from a distance I say a camel. We went closer and saw that the camel, two horses, and a miniature pony pulling a small cart were in a fenced area, and being led for children to take rides.
There were train cars with a refreshment stand in one of the cars with carrots for the animals being sold as well as treats for the humans. Inside the train there were tables set up for eating and attached to the train was an outside raised area with picnic tables.
There was a great accumulation of farm equipment scattered throughout the park painted red, blue, green and yellow for children to climb and play upon. There was also some regular playground equipment. In one area there was a small motorized vehicle for rent for children to drive around a track.
There was also a number of fenced areas scattered among the grassy park areas. These included pens for long horned cattle, donkeys, pigs, ostriches, sheep and goats. There was another fenced area for chickens and other farm fowl.
The people seemed relaxed as they enjoyed the park. The children seemed to be having a wonderful time. I am really grateful that Tim discovered this park and that we had this very positive experience of African family life.
Cecilia
Friday, December 16, 2011
A Favorite Song
Today is a holiday, the Day of Reconciliation, which is celebrated every year in South Africa on the 16th of December. So instead of getting ready for work after doing my morning stretches, I went for a walk. First I walked around the Guest House yards a few times. I saw flowers that I hadn’t noticed before.
Then I walked outside the first gate and around the outside of the House of Mercy. Again there were places that I don’t usually walk when I am just going home. Finally I walked outside of that gate and down the driveway which is paved with bricks set in circles for the entire length until I got to the street.
I was reminded of how it was when I walked on the Jamestown College campus when the students were away on vacation for the summer. Things were very quiet, but the grounds were obviously tended and cared for. There was a peacefulness in the entire place.
Then when I went for the 10 AM Mass in the St. Francis chapel, I was able to carry a pen and some paper with me. Usually my pockets are too full when I go to work as I carry foot rub lotion, gloves, mask, keys, and other things in my pockets when I am working. So then there is no room for a pen. So today after Mass I was able to copy the words of a song that I have liked. I wanted to share these words with you that are meaningful to me. The song is by Estelle White.
1. Oh, the love of my Lord is the essence
Of all that I love here on earth.
All the beauty I see
He has given to me
And his giving is gentle as silence.
2. Every day, every hour, every moment
Have been blessed by the strength of his love
At the turn of each tide
He is there at my side
And his touch is as gentle as silence.
3. There’ve been times when I’ve turned from his presence
And I’ve walked other paths, other ways
But I’ve called on his name
In the dark of my shame
And his mercy was gently as silence.
___________________________
I hope that things are going well for you.
Cecilia
Then I walked outside the first gate and around the outside of the House of Mercy. Again there were places that I don’t usually walk when I am just going home. Finally I walked outside of that gate and down the driveway which is paved with bricks set in circles for the entire length until I got to the street.
I was reminded of how it was when I walked on the Jamestown College campus when the students were away on vacation for the summer. Things were very quiet, but the grounds were obviously tended and cared for. There was a peacefulness in the entire place.
Then when I went for the 10 AM Mass in the St. Francis chapel, I was able to carry a pen and some paper with me. Usually my pockets are too full when I go to work as I carry foot rub lotion, gloves, mask, keys, and other things in my pockets when I am working. So then there is no room for a pen. So today after Mass I was able to copy the words of a song that I have liked. I wanted to share these words with you that are meaningful to me. The song is by Estelle White.
1. Oh, the love of my Lord is the essence
Of all that I love here on earth.
All the beauty I see
He has given to me
And his giving is gentle as silence.
2. Every day, every hour, every moment
Have been blessed by the strength of his love
At the turn of each tide
He is there at my side
And his touch is as gentle as silence.
3. There’ve been times when I’ve turned from his presence
And I’ve walked other paths, other ways
But I’ve called on his name
In the dark of my shame
And his mercy was gently as silence.
___________________________
I hope that things are going well for you.
Cecilia
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Holiday Exodus
Many people are traveling for the Holidays. The school year has ended so the school children have 4 to 6 weeks of vacation now, similar to the summer vacation in the United States. And of course this is summer here in South Africa. Besides the children being on vacation, many adults have a long vacation at this time of the year. Some places of business close down for 4 weeks. Others take the time off for the Holidays.
Here at St. Francis Care Center we are also experiencing people leaving. Last week the man who lives in a little house just outside of the Guest House went home to another African country for several weeks. The House of Mercy, which is a facility dealing with addictions, closed down for a month. They are situated very close to the guest house where we live, and we even share clothes lines in the few feet between our buildings. Our house mate, Steven, who works at the Care Center is going home to Malawi next week.
Then there are the other people from the Care Center who are leaving. The teacher of the children from the Rainbow Cottage is leaving today, as is the receptionist at the Care Center. Our Center manager and our head housekeeper will be gone for the week surrounding Christmas. Some people go on holiday to family, others go to recreational sites. But this is the biggest time in the year for these activities.
And many of the patients who are well enough to go home with family for a few days will also be leaving soon. In addition to that, the 12 patients who have been at the hospice since last July that came from the nursing facility that had the serious fire will all be discharged at the end of December if not sooner.
Tim and I will be here at the Center throughout the Holidays. Tim will be helping Father Stan with the Church services. We are scheduled to pick up the donated food from the grocery store on the weekends including Christmas and New Years weekend. And we will be working during the week also.
We wish each of you a very Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Tim and Cecilia
Here at St. Francis Care Center we are also experiencing people leaving. Last week the man who lives in a little house just outside of the Guest House went home to another African country for several weeks. The House of Mercy, which is a facility dealing with addictions, closed down for a month. They are situated very close to the guest house where we live, and we even share clothes lines in the few feet between our buildings. Our house mate, Steven, who works at the Care Center is going home to Malawi next week.
Then there are the other people from the Care Center who are leaving. The teacher of the children from the Rainbow Cottage is leaving today, as is the receptionist at the Care Center. Our Center manager and our head housekeeper will be gone for the week surrounding Christmas. Some people go on holiday to family, others go to recreational sites. But this is the biggest time in the year for these activities.
And many of the patients who are well enough to go home with family for a few days will also be leaving soon. In addition to that, the 12 patients who have been at the hospice since last July that came from the nursing facility that had the serious fire will all be discharged at the end of December if not sooner.
Tim and I will be here at the Center throughout the Holidays. Tim will be helping Father Stan with the Church services. We are scheduled to pick up the donated food from the grocery store on the weekends including Christmas and New Years weekend. And we will be working during the week also.
We wish each of you a very Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Tim and Cecilia
Friday, December 2, 2011
Aids Day World Wide
December 1st is the day that Aids is discussed and written about around the world. I found that the December 1 issue of The Times newspaper published in South Africa on International Aids Day had some interesting facts.
"More than 42,000 babies born in South Africa last year began life HIV-positive. A Medical Research Council study presented at the national Aids conference in June showed that the national mother-to-child HIV transmission rate was 3.5%. In 2008 the figure was 8.8%." So progress is being made. " Lead researcher Ameena Goga said that national average trasmission rate of 3.5% was based on HIV tests on babies up to eight weeks old. But if the study had been on 18 month old babies the trasnmission rate would have been 'likely to exceed 5% because of mixed feeding practices and shortages of prophylactic drugs.'"
"South Africa also has the most children under the age of 14 living with HIV in the world - 333,941. . . . UNAids reports that more than 29,000 South African children under 14 die from Aids every year."
So there is progress being made in the fight against HIV/Aids. But there is still a great deal of improvement to work toward. There is stigma in South Africa that prevents testing and early treatment. There are many new cases of HIV in all age groups. And there are some areas of the country where the Anti-Viral medications are difficult to obtain.
The St. Francis Care Center can now be proud of the fact that there have been no children at their Rainbow Cottage that have died of AIDS in the past three years.
Cecilia
"More than 42,000 babies born in South Africa last year began life HIV-positive. A Medical Research Council study presented at the national Aids conference in June showed that the national mother-to-child HIV transmission rate was 3.5%. In 2008 the figure was 8.8%." So progress is being made. " Lead researcher Ameena Goga said that national average trasmission rate of 3.5% was based on HIV tests on babies up to eight weeks old. But if the study had been on 18 month old babies the trasnmission rate would have been 'likely to exceed 5% because of mixed feeding practices and shortages of prophylactic drugs.'"
"South Africa also has the most children under the age of 14 living with HIV in the world - 333,941. . . . UNAids reports that more than 29,000 South African children under 14 die from Aids every year."
So there is progress being made in the fight against HIV/Aids. But there is still a great deal of improvement to work toward. There is stigma in South Africa that prevents testing and early treatment. There are many new cases of HIV in all age groups. And there are some areas of the country where the Anti-Viral medications are difficult to obtain.
The St. Francis Care Center can now be proud of the fact that there have been no children at their Rainbow Cottage that have died of AIDS in the past three years.
Cecilia
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