Jabulani Project

Gap Year Students

(Friday 30th March)

Isaac, Fiona, Caragh, Anna and Edee

The morning started as normal, preparing to go down to SISCO and spend the day there working with the children in the centre.  With us we had a new member of the Jabulani Project, Jen Glass, a teacher from Gillespie's (currently on a sabbatical year). As the majority of the boys were attending a programme at Icare - another street children organisation- our plans changed. Abdul and Russell suggested that we run an outreach programme to keep up relations with the surrounding homeless communities. Our main intentions where to promote the ID programme currently being run by SISCO and to make them aware that they are able to attend the drop in centre to access clean water and food.

We set out around 1.30 to the local streets. Due to their amazing connection with the surrounding area  Abdul and Russell knew where to find the different street communities. Hidden within places you would never consider possible for someone to live there will be a whole group of people living in such poor conditions.

For example, our first experience was through a small gap in a security fence to keep people off the train tracks. As we approached we started to doubt our safety as the situation could have gone either way, however with the respect held for SISCO and what it stands for, they were more than happy to talk to us. After Russell and Abdul explained to them who we were tensions broke and we were greeted with smiles and handshakes. One man explained to us that he couldn't believe we were willing to shake his hand not only because we were white but as he lived on the streets. This shows how badly people living on the streets here in South Africa are treated by others and is proof that apartheid has left deep marks on this society. Whilst there we explained to them about the ID programme SISCO is running and how they are more than welcome to come to the drop in centre to access food and clean water supplies.

The first place we went on outreach beside the train tracks where around twenty people were living

When we were talking to them reality hit: the living conditions were the worst we have seen yet. Litter created the ground where we stood and the smell was overwhelming. Although they were all welcoming and pleasant, it was very apparent that they were all heavily on drugs and the evidence surrounded us. We recognised the all too familiar signs of people on glue - plastic cartons and empty bags were everywhere. Due to this they can't reside at SISCO but they can still receive the basics from the centre to get by.

Another short walk along the way Abdul introduced us to a group of immigrants from all over Africa searching for better opportunities and running from the trouble in their home countries. However their circumstances were also extremely poor and we were taught about the horrific way immigrants are treated. Similar to street kids, people of South Africa treat them like dirt on their feet. Unlike the group before they were all clear of drugs and their sole purpose of being in Durban is to find work and a better life. It seemed unfair that they lived this way yet again were so welcoming and expressed their surprise and gratitude at SISCO's efforts to help.

After the outreach experience we really began to open our eyes and see more and more communities of people living within the cracks and crevices of the city. One of the most touching moments of the day was Benjamin (a boy living at SISCO) handing out a bottle of water to these people as they were clearly in need of it. Despite people having nothing in their lives, they can empathise with others and still do whatever they can to help.