The city that I am living in is absolutely beautiful and is better known as a surfers paradise. Although don't be deceived by the beautiful scenery of the beach and the mountain range or by the Township names surrounding the city. In South Africa, the term township usually refers to the underdeveloped urban living areas that, under Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites (principally black Africans and Coloreds. The Government has 'upliftingly' given the townships quite the beautiful names such as lavender hill - can't you just see the rolling green hills and the flowers blooming with smell of spring in the air, and then there's ocean view - although I think the members of the community are still wondering when they will get to see the ocean from their residence, and lastly who could forget the community better known as "free ground" - I wonder if anyone in that community would say they feel free??!!! In my opinion the only beautiful thing about these townships are the people that reside within them.
The township that I will mainly be working in is called Capricorn (free ground), and within this community I will be doing therapy in a support group, individual counseling, and simply forming relationship with the people of this community. I want to learn what it’s like to live as they live, think and feel as they do and see life through their eyes.
As a Voice for the Voiceless team we are also going to be doing various photography projects in the community. The vision for these projects is that we will be able to learn from members of the community, allow them to process their story, and at the same time empower them giving a purpose and identity through their expression. Allowing them to take pictures and tell their story gives each person a voice as well as shows that their story is valuable and worth being heard. Ultimately the hope is that this will be the beginning of healing and restoration for many of the people in this township that have been oppressed with sickness, abuse and neglect, and by the color of their skin that has told them they are third class citizens. Their voices have been hidden, muted, and at times stolen by the government, society, the community, and even from each other.
My role has felt slow at times when I want to simply jump in and help in any way possible; however, I have learned in the past that it is better to first learn from the people and understand the way their culture works for them. It’s easy to make assumptions and assume that I know the solution although my role here isn’t to be a quick fix, but rather to empower those that have faced oppression and are even struggling with painful truth that they have tested positive for HIV.
As a Voice for the Voiceless team we are also going to be doing various photography projects in the community. The vision for these projects is that we will be able to learn from members of the community, allow them to process their story, and at the same time empower them giving a purpose and identity through their expression. Allowing them to take pictures and tell their story gives each person a voice as well as shows that their story is valuable and worth being heard. Ultimately the hope is that this will be the beginning of healing and restoration for many of the people in this township that have been oppressed with sickness, abuse and neglect, and by the color of their skin that has told them they are third class citizens. Their voices have been hidden, muted, and at times stolen by the government, society, the community, and even from each other.
My role has felt slow at times when I want to simply jump in and help in any way possible; however, I have learned in the past that it is better to first learn from the people and understand the way their culture works for them. It’s easy to make assumptions and assume that I know the solution although my role here isn’t to be a quick fix, but rather to empower those that have faced oppression and are even struggling with painful truth that they have tested positive for HIV.
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