Our First Day in Durban

Since last writing, we have travelled some distance and finally have settled in Durban for the first full day of our project.  The last day in Capetown was relaxing and included a trip to the Cape of Good Hope, which is the souuthern most point in Africa and the merging point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.  You can actually see the currents moving in opposite directions and then converging.  The drive down the coast was breathtaking, travelling through magnificent upscale communities.
     On arriving in Durban we had the first positive accomplishment of our trip when renting cellphones, we diagnosed and treated a severe allergic reaction to KFC on the part of our salesman.  We got in late and went directly to the homes of our hosts who were gracious and made us feel welcome.  In a way it was sad splitting up after travelling so close together.
     Our day began with an orientation by Hennie.  Quite notable in Hennie's talk was that he was helping to set up an all black Rotary Club in Kwazulunatal.  They already have 23 interested parties and Hennie is trying to adapt its structure to their culture, rather than fit it into a preconceived Rotary template.  We will be visiting them next week.  This is exactly what was discussed at the Capetown conference as being what is needed for Rotary to better succeed in Africa.
     This afternoon we went to Grey's Hospital, the former all white hospital in Pietermaritzburg under Apartheid, to mee with Neil McKerrow.  This meeting would begin to set the tone for our trip, as we must win confidence as a group who wants to work with them, rather than dictate to them.  In this behalf, I believe we impressed.  I believe that we actually returned after my trip in April, surprised and pleased those I had met.  Neil went over some of the stunning statistics of understaffing and lack of money and equipment.  What he has accomplished under these circumstances is remarkable.  Neil was especially welcoming of Bill and seemed willing to do whatever he could including providing land and easing red tape to make Bill's plan to build Ronald McDonald like facilities.  Jamil and I especially will get exposure to the entire system from local to institutional to prepare us for our training pursuits.  Larissa will probably start in shortly in establishing her physical activity programs.
     We then received an extensive tour of Greys, which, though lacking in much is the gem of the healthcare system in Kwazulunatal.  We were then met by our counterparts who were excited to begin, and with whom we will meet again tomorrow at Edendale Hospital, the former all black hospital in Pietermaritzburg, and the polar opposite of Greys.  I am certain that my colleagues will be much moved by the sharp contrast.