We had an amazing day in Diepsloot. We spent a few hours working with the children in the Afrika Tikkun center...I could have spent all day there. The teachers, staff, and facility were all amazing. And the children were so happy to spend time with us.
The home visits were more difficult. Getting out into the community really made me realize what tough odds these kids face. One of the teaches told me the kids typically do not eat outside of Afrika Tikkun. Most are orphans that get picked up by their middle-school aged siblings. We met a women with TB and HIV, with two kids that live in a shack the size of a queen bed.
The second women was amazing...she was taking care of her beautiful granddaughter because her son was killed and the mom had left with her new man and baby. She too was very sick and the outstanding nurse, Nancy, from Afrika Tikkun, never gave up and convinced her she needed true medical care.
These home visits made me realize...during nights and weekends, the kids don't eat. They live in shacks with no one other than their mom or siblings to protect them. No electricity, no running water, no food. Add to that this horrific trend of men that prey on women and children. Afrika Tikkun is a gift from God.
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