Thousands of refugees from surrounding war-torn and destitute African countries flock to South Africa in hope of a better life, or just a means to at least feed their children.  However, life is not easy for them when they get to South Africa, a country that itself has huge levels of unemployment and poverty.  The refugees are faced with dealing with Home Affairs to get their asylum papers, a lengthy and difficult process. They are often faced with xenophobia from South Africans in the communities they are trying to stay in, who see them as unwelcome and a threat to their employment.  They find themselves, having escaped the horrors of their home countries in a desperate situation, now having no access to basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and water, let alone employment and a positive future for themselves and their families.

In order to make this difficult transition easier, there are several non-profit and human rights organizations in Cape Town that aim to assist this needy population.  Connect-123 has partnered with these organizations that include refugee centers, orphanages, activist organizations, legal aid clinics, and organizations that offer humanitarian assistance, and skills training and development.  Our interns and volunteers come and apply their skills to assist these organizations in helping these desperately needy people.

This is an area that needs great assistance and we look forward to welcoming more people to help in this area.  Whether you have an interest in human rights, are able to speak French, have a legal background, social work skills, are interested in research around issues of migration, or you simply want to help, we need you!  Many of our program participants volunteer their extra time to assist refugee orphans with their homework, and even donating unwanted clothes and toiletries goes some way in helping to give these people at least some dignity and a chance for a better life.

The Child Life Program being run by Connect-123 at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, reached new heights a the end of 2009 when a group of 12 volunteers from Ohio University provided their much needed services to patients and their families at the hospital during their winter vacation.

Having a large number Child Life students working in the hospital over this period opened up the possibility of extending Child Life services beyond the burns ward, the site of our original pilot study. Part of their work involved assessing the wards where Child Life services would be most beneficial as well as leaving behind materials that would benefit their allocated wards or the greater hospital on a more long-term basis. In addition to all their hard work at the Red Cross, the Ohio group also contributed their time and skills to a pediatric HIV clinic and a pediatric convalescent home, engaging children in activities from singing and crafts to medical play.

The volunteers were also fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to visit a clinic in the township of Khayelitsha where they were able to experience a community healthcare setting, greatly enriching their understanding of the South African healthcare system – several of the volunteers even witnessed babies being born during their visit!

During their stay, the high-energy group also managed to squeeze in a safari, bungee jumping, a soccer tournament, a trip to the beautiful Cape Point, an African-style dinner, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and plenty of trips to the beach!

A clear message rang through the group’s final presentation to the Red Cross medical staff at the end of their stay – Child Life services significantly improve the quality of care and support provided to patients and their families. Based on the students’ work, the decision was taken to extend permanent services to the oncology wards with continued expansion planned throughout the hospital’s in and outpatient wards and operating theaters as the program grows and develops. With the Cape Town Child Life program celebrating its first birthday in February, the program is looking forward to the meeting new challenges that lie ahead for 2010, not to mention welcoming plenty more passionate and energetic volunteers to Cape Town.

Before they left we asked the group what advice they would give to future volunteers – here is what some of them had to say: “Just to keep an open mind about the Child Life lens and to do the best at what we have learned with the resources we are given. It’s about the creativity and the ability to adapt to new settings. That little things make a big difference”. “I loved having the close one-on-one involvement with the patients. In the States this would not be possible as a student in a practicum. This helped me to gain confidence. Take advantage of every single day here. The time flies by. Don’t be afraid to jump in, feet first. Many sisters and doctors are very accepting and helpful.” “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It may be frustrating and scary at first but it’s well worth it.”

Past blog entries for Child Life Cape Town:
Child Life Healthcare Project in Cape Town
Child Life Program Update

The Connect-123 office and many of our international interns’ apartments boast some of the best views of Table Mountain, that magical towering presence that presides over this beautiful city of Cape Town.

The New 7 Wonders Foundation is taking international votes to nominate the New 7 Wonders of the World with the philosophy that “Our Heritage is Our Future”.  Table Mountain has made it to the final 28 contenders to take the superior title of truly being one of the World’s Wonders, and rightly so…

Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on earth, six times older than the Himalayas and five times older than the Rockies. Its story begins eight hundred million years ago when sandstone began to form underwater. Around 300 million years ago the mountain was still at sea level during an ice age. It is the ice sheets that flattened the layers of sandstone creating the flat surface that gives the mountain its unique shape and name.  When the continents split apart, the layers of rock were forced to rise, slowly becoming the kilometre high mountain Cape Town prides itself with today.

It is not only the mountain’s iconic flat surface that gives it the right to contend for a position as one of the 7 New Wonders.  In addition, Table Mountain National Park has more plant species within its 25 000 hectares than the whole British Isles or New Zealand!

Only one other African site – Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro – made the list of finalists, which include some of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions including the Grand Canyon in the USA, the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, and the Amazon Rainforest.

The New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign aims to raise awareness of the incredible variety and beauty of nature around us.  Votes for the 28 finalists will continue throughout 2010 and into 2011 to result in the New 7 Wonders of Nature.   Make sure our beautiful mountain receives the recognition it deserves and cast your vote now!

In the meantime, be sure to hike up one of the spectacular routes to the top so that you can say you made it to the top of one of the 7 Wonders of Nature!