AIAIA 2023 Delegation
When someone travels, they usually have some idea of where they are going and what sites they will see. If going to New York, London, Paris, the Greek Isles, you have pictures in your mind of what you will explore.
When I was asked to be part of the 2023 Arm in Arm in Africa delegation, I honestly did not know what I was signing up for. I saw the 3-week itinerary but the names were unfamiliar: Gugulethu, Malungeni, Mthatha, and Hoedspruit. Not really chapter headings in a AAA Guide Book. But trusting Jim Cassidy and a 23-year history of the organization, I felt like an adventure in my mid-70’s was just what I needed. I had no expectations of what this trip would bring. My mind and heart were wide open.
While I knew a few of the people going, about two-thirds of us were on our “maiden voyage”. The 2023 delegation was the most incredible group of people I have ever known: caring, loving, hardworking, witty, just amazing people. We gelled as a group immediately, no clichés, just a group ready to help and explore.
As I reflect back on my experience, so many encounters come to mind. What were the most moving? What did I take away from those days and varied visits? Our schedule was packed with little time to think about each interaction. Since we returned in March, I have had time to look back and process my trip.
Children are the same all over the world: beautiful, adventures some, and innocent. The children of South Africa really affected me. Pushing a boy on a swing at the Barcelona Orphanage was a moving experience. All the kids with huge smiles and much laughter playing on a small set of parallel bars and a couple of swings, one that broke while we were there. A few more kids sitting under a shade tree. That was it. No toys, just simple bedrooms with a few clothes piled in a corner. But all I could think of were my grandchil- dren with toys strewn about in every room, probably some they haven’t played with. It seemed unfair. Fortunately, the kids at the orphanage have food because of AIAIA’s support. Still, it was very hard to say goodbye. This particular experience impacted many from our delegation. We wanted to do more to help.
Fun Learning for Youth (FLY) is a program that provides math and other tutoring to high school students on Saturday mornings. An all-volunteer staff work with these underprivileged kids. AIAIA provides lunch and teaching materials. I felt it was a wonderful program to support youth from the townships.
The other end of the age spectrum touched me as well. We had several encounters with the elders of the townships. We met with a large group of women and a few men, all dressed in their finest outfits. This is a regular stop and they were waiting for us. We gave each a hand massage and got to know a bit about them. I couldn’t help but appreciate their coarse, dry skin that reflected years of hard work and aging. But it was only reflected in their hands as they all had huge smiles and many hugs for us. After lunch that we hosted, we sang and danced with them into the afternoon.
The elderly receive about 1900 Rand (around $100 US dollars) a month from the government. They live with multiple generations in the same home. In many cases that is all the money the family has to live on for the month.
Another impactful experience was Fund-Raising Sunday at JL Zwane church. The room was filled with the most gorgeously clad, mainly ladies, with every color and pattern imaginable. For two hours we watched them present the money they had saved for the church from their meager incomes.. The singing and chanting were the most beautiful music. Think “The Lion King” on steroids!
Besides the youth and elderly, the housing, such as it is, was unbelievable. We walked through several townships of Cape Town. It was the most extreme poverty I had ever seen. Structures might have one window, one burner to cook meals, one table and dirt floors. I am not sure what held up the structure. In one house, four people slept in one set of bunk beds.
And yet the people are happy. You don’t hear complaints. In the face of so many hurdles and generations of injustice, elderly people, barely able to walk, nod and share a smile. Kids are smiling and waving as we go by.
We did do some sightseeing in and around Cape Town: Penguins at Cape Point, outdoor markets, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and Table Mountain.
The second week we travelled to a rural village in the Eastern Cape, Malungeni. Dirt roads took us to a compound that is owned by Spiwo Xapile and Zethu Xapile. Spiwo is an AIAIA board member and a retired minister from JL Zwane, who has partnered with AIAIA since the beginning. We did several food distributions and gave out the scarves and hats so many donated. Each was a treasured gift. We made several home visits and met with community leaders.
The highlight of the week was “Spa Day.” Women and men walk miles to come for pedicures and manicures. It was such a privilege to give a few minutes to washing and massaging the calloused and overworked feet of these beautiful people. We talked and laughed under the bright afternoon sun, as we learned about each of their families. It was a very fulfilling experience for all.
Hand massages connect delegate and recipienton a deeply human level. Many of them had never been touched by a white person in an affirming way before.
The last few days were spent on a safari. Our accommodations almost made us feel guilty after what we had experienced. However, a warm shower after ones with cold, brown water was very refreshing. For me, the safari was a spiritual experience. I have never felt anything like this on my previous trips. This wasn’t a zoo, this was the real deal. A giraffe as big as a house. No two stripe patterns on a zebra the same. Days of mourning by a group of elephants after one of their family members died. The beautiful leopard, as agile as a house cat. Impalas leaping all over the savanna. Rhinos, Cape buffalo, hippos. I can't imagine what it was like when these beautiful creatures were created. All have their place and purpose, as do we, in the Circle of Life.
We met a group of elderly family of Brits on safari. They said their motto was, “adventure before dementia.” What a great philosophy.
As the ad says, “Nebraska, it’s not for everyone,” and neither is this trip. But you can develop a better understanding and appreciation for what AIAIA does. A dollar goes a lot farther there. That is why the organization can support so many great causes.
For me, this was the experience of a lifetime. A book could probably be written about the experiences and people we got the privilege to meet. They are what impacted me on this adventure. I am grateful to have had this opportunity.