TAKALANI in SOWETO
Each year each mission brings magnificent opportunities to do something for humankind. Last year, in addition to our regular work distributing your donations of monies, cheques and new clothing, food supplies and hours of service, we were privileged to be active in the Kimberley hospital as well.
Shortly after we arrived in Johannesberg I was in touch again with the people from Takalani, home for over 400 challenged and physically handicapped children in Soweto , suburb of Johannesburg. Takalani sent a car to get us. The work that the agency is doing is more than remarkable. With a handful of volunteers, a few workers, one social worker and the directors they are caring for hundreds and hundreds of the most needy.
We spent time with the six units of the profoundly afflicted children. Then we went to the cottage groups. What joy to see the care they try to give each other! Yes…the less challenged feed the others before eating, themselves. They all loved the Christmas party we organized and they sang for us too! They loved Sr. Leona’s music therapy and songs.
Takalani is now trying to get a farm to take care of 50+ youth damaged from drugs! Their need is financial, but they have hope that they will be granted a bank loan to purchase the property in order to provide for the hundreds of precious people who are in their care! For two months last year they had no electricity, no phones…but yet they keep on keeping on. What an example of perfect faith they have!
Takalani children, youth and directors were an important part of my daily time. Takalani means “Be Happy”. How wonderful a title this is! For these children and youth…forgotten, abandoned, challenged who smile, giggle, wiggle their toes, kick, make sounds.
Next…we were invited to meet the youth and young adults from the Lebewe Centre for the Physically Handicapped (near Pretoria). This was begun by the mother of an attorney who is an advisor to The African Church, which was founded in 1888. Although the Lebuwe Centre was established in 1978 as an NGO, it could open its doors only about ten years ago (due to apartheid). These people…all wanted to be considered human! The African Church’s Archbishop, bishops and a number of priests and some of their members came to meet us at the Lebuwe Centre.
THE AFRICAN CHURCH…indigenous African Religious Body
The African Church directors invited Fr. John Rossner, as President of the IIIHS, (UN/NGO/DPI) and as Abbott General of The Ecumenical Order of the Transfiguration (a member of the ICCC, affiliate WCC), to participate in the dedication their new cathedral near Pretoria, and to bless the new building which seats 250 people. This he did. What an experience to see this long procession coming down the main street accompanied by trumpets and drums, and then go into the building with over 250 people in the cathedral, and many more outside. Fr. John spoke and then they invited me to speak also.
Sunday we attended their Liturgy and a Confirmation Service, and we spoke again. Sr. Leona was invited to sing the Veni Creator and the Ave Maria. Their new cathedral is called St. Mary the Virgin…African Church.
The African Church was formed in 1888, now over 120 years ago in South Africa by Protestant and Anglican clergy and church members who wanted to be free of European and North American missionary control in order to incorporate African customs, music, and relevant pastoral approaches in an African cultural context.
The INDEPENDENT AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Next, we drove to Kimberley. There we were greeted by Archbishop Otsilie Mmusi, Primate of The Independent African Orthodox Church with some of his priest and many of his members. This church serves the poorest of the poor over a 400 kilometer area. Their Apostolic Ministry is from the Oriental Orthodox succession. Their Liturgy is basically a Western Rite based upon the Anglo-Catholic Missal. Their catechism is based upon that of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and their services are celebrated in a blend of English, Afrikans and a variety of indigenous South African languages. Their music variously combines vibrant items from plain chant to hymnody and many indigenous African and Native African compositions.
Fr. John has been meeting/speaking with the leaders of both of these indigenous churches – The Independent African Orthodox Church and The African Church – to encourage them to associate and cooperate with one another, and with other established churches in South Africa. Both groups expressed an interest in doing so, and also in inaugurating a formal dialogue with the Anglican Church of South Africa. Both indigenous groups were very appreciative of Fr. John’s work to bring them into membership status with The International Council of Community Churches (ICCC), which is an affiliate of The World Council of Churches, Geneva.
For the past two years Fr. John has also brought Archbishop Mmusi to meet with the now retired Anglican Bishop Museki of Kimberley. Last year he was able to introduce Archbishop Mmusi to the new Bishop of Kimberley, The Rt. Rev. Oswald Schwarts. This was a very pleasant and significant meeting, and bodes well for future cooperation and relationships. Such a relationship could help many of the children and young people of The African Orthodox Church who have migrated from the villages to the big cities in order to find work. The Anglican Church has parishes in those cities which could welcome them.
The HELEN BISHOP HOME & HOSPITAL FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, KIMBERLEY
In Kimberley each year we spend much of our time with The Helen Bishop Home for the disabled, and with Thusong Kids’ Haven, for abandoned and abused children. The Helen Bishop Home continues to do remarkable work with profoundly challenged children and youth and with those who are more mobile. We organized a special Christmas party for children of each of these two institutions. All attended and what joy they experienced! Sr. Anita Hartman throughout the trip brought tremendous joy to the children and caregivers with her animated healing music and guitar! All had a memorable time.
How can we imagine…but yet this is how it is…a few (and I mean very few) volunteers in these institutions and workers take care of so many of these beloved souls. Each child needs to be turned, changed, and fed three times daily at the Helen Bishop Home. By the time this is finished…the workers’ shifts are complete.
The directors are hoping for more caregivers, etc. and have even opened up fifteen beds for orphans which help with some special government funding.
For all these children at Helen Bishop in Kimberley and for those in an 800 kilometers area there are only three social workers. It is only through the pure love and devotion of the directors and a few workers that such work is carried on. How much more…very much more…could happen if there were educators, child and youth care workers, activity workers on a regular basis.
THUSONG KID’S HAVEN FOR ABANDONED & ABUSED CHILDREN IN KIMBERLEY
Thusong Kids’ Haven in Kimberley was founded by Rebecca, a Kimberley social worker who is now known as The Mother Theresa of Kimberley. What excitement among the children and youth (from one year to twenty years old) when we arrive each year! They jump, grab me, pick me up, laugh, cry, etc. This is a moment always to remember and to cherish.
Through Thusong I ended up this year spending several hours each day working with the Kimberley hospital. One of the Thusong children got meningitis (a child originally found in the bush with the placenta hanging). She was in a unit with many babies…babies with meningitis, HIV, etc.
Due to the shortage of nurses, parents and guardians are asked to stay in the unit. The guardians sleep on the floor beside the beds of the children. And so…I found myself doing the best I could, bringing in food, clothes, toys (even a bed/pillows, etc.). I will always remember these screaming infants, two of whom died in the next room, one tiny tot died in the room. Next to our child’s bed was a four month baby accompanied by his fourteen year-old mother, etc., etc., etc. The shortage of staff caused our child and another baby not to be given the medicine with the result of another flare-up.
In Kimberley I met with the doctors and nurses of the hospital unit to share ideas of how we might get more community people involved. The child was released and is on special medication now. We envision she will come through this challenge as well. As always we organized parties, lunches, activities and time to share.
Thusong has a very small staff. In fact, the same few people are the cooks, cleaners and house parents. They do have five young volunteers from Germany this year who are taking time to do something beautiful for humanity. They are very much appreciated.
SUMMARY
In each of these places…the conditions under which the work is going on needs to be improved and changed. The directors all work so very hard to do their best possible by raising funds, trying to provide training for those who have the blessed responsibility of caring for these children, and by doing hands-on work themselves.
All of these people live each day in hope that tomorrow their children and youth will have what they need to function. They are a living example of seeing the light, the Creator’s love in each child. They have the attitude that the Almighty has given them the privilege of caring for the forgotten, the abused, the homeless, and the helpless. They see each child as a Divine Creation.
We all left South Africa with an appreciation that we have been able to serve in this way. We thank you who made it possible for us to bring courage and some assurance into the lives of those whom we met.
