We arrived at Umthombo (Durban) following our journey down from St Lucia.
Umthombo is a charity based solely on donations to provide a safe and secure place for young street people aged 7 to 20. The services that they provide vary from given a child a roof over the head for the night to family mediation. The way they do this is similar to our organisation via support staff and external agencies but staff are there 24/7.
Our host SiyaBonga is residential at the base 7 days a week working 1pm - 9am - but as he is residential will also be available to assist children coming to the door in the early hours needing accommodation and sometimes medical assistance.
During the 2010 world cup, many street children were put into state cars by order of authority and forcefully removed from the area - sometimes up to 3 hours away in remote and unknown places - this was simply to ensure tourists did not witness or observe what was perceived to be an ugly stain on the face of the 'New Durban'. Some children were beaten and forced to walk back from where they were abandoned to the safe haven at Umthombo having walked in excess of 100 miles. Children were returning with extreme injuries to their feet and required urgent medical attention. SiyaBonga was imprisoned himself for attempting to defend and support the children.
Outreach workers receive no state funds at all, they go out into the community and often seek out the children - state social workers are only involved if the re-integration with the children's family fails. this means that SiyaBonga is renowned throughout the city as being a sole source of safety and protection.
A member of staff will sleep in the room ( Room being 14 X 3 high bunk beds squeezed into a small concrete dormitory - looked almost like an old garage - just one surfing poster hanged throughout this grey shell of a room.
Glue sniffing is dominant throughout the street children community - not for the suspected high that may well have been the case in early 80's western world - but simply to relive the feeling of hunger and despair of daily life in the streets. Umthombo offers support and a lifeline to those experiencing an addiction to glue and other substances that are readily available.
A vast majority of the children will have suffered abuse - including rape - staff members sleep in the large dorms in order to protect the children from further abuse from other children. The support that is offered is developing skills and interests including music, football and surfing - Art and Music is clearly and integral part of the support - this is clearly observed throughout the project. Rehabilitation is crucial to the success of developing a new life with purpose and meaning. One young man we met is now training to be a scuba diving instructor
Today has clearly moved all of the team - one of our group has already considered emptying their suitcase and donating all their clothing.
This picture clearly shows the sleeping arrangements - the same amount of beds are mirrored across the room and also a staff members sleeps in this room.The smell of urine is overpowering - this however is not through bed wetting as we think - but through fear......
We have a funny feeling if any of the service users on this trip are present in the office when another service users complains about HWCS accommodation - eyebrows may be raised.
Today was a shock to me. I didnt expect to see what we saw. It was like these children were the South African version of us ( people in NCHA young persons projects) but the desvistating differences between what you get help and support with in England where you get a warm bed,clean flat and so on, was then in these the South Africans childrens and teenagers eyes so much better than being on the streets yes,but the poverty was still so obvious, with no access to goverment help for the project Umthombo or benifits for the children, But they are offered to shine in their talents which could be anything varing from singing to scubadiving, skating or surfing as well as being encouraged to continue their education. I left the safe place for many children and people my age not knowing if to cry or smile as well as thinking of what I could do to help as well as realizing that most of the children there were my little brothers age and that broke my heart even more.
ReplyDeleteWe dont know how lucky we are do we? I feel so proud to say i know people that are involvled in B4BL. We have printed all your blogs so that our Service Users can have a read and see how fab you all are :) Louise Evans x
ReplyDeletePhew, powerful stuff. All sentiments already voiced not much more to add. However I have to say that my admiration, respect and affection for the team has surprised me. Thanks for reminding me just how bloody fortunate I am.
ReplyDeleteI know you'll have as many smiles as tears; you've met some wonderful people and your generation hopefully can go a long way to change things. Bless ya x
Wow, what an emotional afternoon. Had so much admiration for the staff that worked there and thank god there are people out there doing things like that. Spoke to some of the young people and was suprised at how talented and polite they were. Hope our visit may highlight the place even more and help to improve the project further.
ReplyDeleteThis is a comment posted by Natalie Gough
ReplyDeleteWords could not describe what we saw today, the impact it had on everybody today was shown by the complete silence throughout our tour of the project. We were given a small talk at the beggining which even then was so overwhelming, particulary at how poorly the kids were treated before the world cup. When we walked into the dorm where the young boys slept I was completely over run with emotion, at the fact that they were staying in squalid conditions. I instinctivly wanted to help, to do something to improve their lives, which is why i suggested donating my entire suitcase. Over all today was an eye opener and i will be forever greatful for everything i have and never take things for granted, i definetly feel that i want to get involved and help the project further however that may be.
Today was breath taking....you dont realise just how lucky we are we have no reason to complain about NCHA at all once you`ve seen umthombo.... those kids are really talented they deserve a hell of a lot...
ReplyDeleteThis must have been a tough and emotional day for everyone - well done for not turning away from things which must be hard to see and hear. After doing this you can do anything - next stop changing the world! Lots of love to all you amazing people, Vik.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteWhile Poverty may be considered relative. Opportunity certainly is not. We are lucky that we have more opportunites to change our situations and should seek them out and grab them as many do not have that chance.
ReplyDelete