Thandanani

     Today we got to see the circumstances under which the people in the surrounding areas lived.  We were shown the area through Thandanani.  This is an organization which through mostly volunteer help sends in community workers and health service workers to serve 2,000 orphaned and at risk children and then to oversee their care.  The families are identified and then worked with over a 3-4 year period.  The areas we travelled through was extremely poor, with inadequete housing, and dirt roads which were difficult to navigate.  Still there was progress, as we visited a family I had seen in April, who were now in a new cinder block house.  The progress is slow, but it is there.  At that home we were able to give a 3 year old girl with no shoes a pair of shoes brought with me, and painted by the kids in Orange county.
     We then got to visit a cemetery in the area, with an unbelievable number of fresh graves.  The Zulu traditionally do much to create long, elaborate funerals.  They feel that constant contact with the family, even after death is essential, and fear the consequences if they are neglectful.  These funerals can use up much of their meager resources.
     We then left to return to Thandanani where we met with Duncan, the director.  Bill had spent the morning with Duncan discussing fundraising and the finer points of managing an NGO in South Africa.  Duncan gave us much insight into interactions with the Zulu, and how their cultural beliefs became obstacles in trying to implement some of the programs.  Their "live for today" attitude undermines any thought of projects such as microcredit.  Duncan is an energetic person who travels all over the world for his funding.  He has been at this NGO for many years and still maintains his enthusiasm.
     Tonight we are being hosted at Greys Hospital by the Board.
Marty