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Published: August 26th 2007
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Part One
The hospital where I have placement has less strict patient confidentiality laws than those in the states. Therefore, the other volunteer, Stephanie, and I got to go into Theater. This does not mean we got to sit behind glass. After wandering around the hospital looking for where we had to go, we had some nurses show us to the changing rooms. We got into full scrubs including pants, gown, shoe and hair covers. For the morning, we were in surgery with the doctors, nurses, and anesthetist. It’s interesting that we are labeled as being volunteers for “administrative duties.”
I felt right at home as they were cutting this poor gentleman open (maybe I should study to be an ER Doc). Stephanie was a little bit more hesitant but still found it interesting enough to ask what he was in for. She was quickly handed his chart and a dictionary of medical terms. I guess this all comes from the hospital where they are trying to begin their hand washing campaign. The only issue; there isn’t soap in any of the bathrooms. And these are just some of the cultural differences found in South Africa. Similar to other “cultural
exchanges” I’ve experienced abroad, there is the same notion of Russian time which means a few moments could be equivalent to 5 minutes or 2 hours. As in South Asia, our room had electrical cords running across the floor for which my roommate and I couldn’t really determine a purpose. I have since taken care of those, so now there is only one.
Even though I did not accompany the bulk of the group who went on a longer three-day trip this weekend, I still had my fare share of fun with those who stayed in Cape Town. A group of five went out into wine country near Wellington for horseback riding. A very sweet woman who had grown up in the area guided us through the hills and farmland. She couldn’t believe that as Americans, we could ride English saddles so well. But we showed her, and either way you look at it, it’s still just riding a horse. My horse was named Bonnie and another person was on Clyde.
Part Two
I haven’t spoken much about the people involved in this program. We have the house staff including cooks, guards, and course
directors. We have the drivers in the mornings taking us to our placements. We have the volunteers themselves. And we cannot forget about the kids and adults who we are helping in some capacity within schools and other institutions. All I know is that I am with some of the most interesting, well-traveled, and educated people ever. They are all Americans besides two girls from the UK. This comes to about 25 volunteers total for this period of time. Most are staying for three weeks although some as much as five weeks. Tonight at dinner, all of the twelve-week people were sitting at one table. It was just something interesting to note that we will be seeing groups of volunteers going and coming during our stay in South Africa.
Yet, we are all here for a purpose. Some are taking time off from school, or trying to find themselves, or giving meaning to life itself. I feel at home, because we are all here for somewhat of a common goal in South Africa. There is nobody to tell me that I’m gay, or stupid, or don’t belong. We all belong as volunteers. One older woman on the program has
told me that she is so impressed with what young people are doing with their time and what we can accomplish as a community, even if we aren’t changing the world in such a short period of time. Because the truth of the matter is that there are many children in Cape Town willing to learn, fully mentally capable, and with absolutely no resources available. What makes a child get up to go to school in South Africa when they know that there isn’t much waiting for them there? The townships are poorly funded and totally understaffed. There is no psychotherapy, no guidance, and not even a lesson plan in some places. The volunteers can feel hopeless at times, but we know we are doing good. Even if we can simply get through to one person while we are here, child or staff member, that is making a difference. This is not some raging diatribe. This is simply sharing information with the world and knowledge is the first step.
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Dr Jon
Jon Pearce
Impressive
You're writing is beginning to renew my faith in your generation.