South Africa’s dirty X
Picture by Simphiwe Nkwali, The Times
Xenophobia is out of the headlines but not out of our heads. I received a call from an Afrigator blogger a few days ago asking if we could help her with the fallout from the xenophobia attacks in Cape Town. We’ll call her Leigh for now.
Here’s the story:
One of Leigh’s employees is a Zimbabwean woman who lives in Khayalitsha in Cape Town. We’ll call her Gloria. Gloria was traumatized by the xenophobic attacks that raged through Cape Town in months gone by and is still understandably traumatized. It’s affecting her work, and it pains Leigh to see someone close to here have to go through this. And what’s worse is that Leigh doesn’t know how to help Gloria.
She needs someone to talk to. Someone to counsel her. Someone to help her. But they don’t know where to find this someone. And neither do we.
So we’re asking for your help. We’d like to help Leigh and Gloria find someone who can counsel them and help them get through this difficult time.
If you know of any counseling centres or programs who would be able to help, please add it in the comments section below or send me a mail to lester(at)afrigator.com and I’ll pass the information to Leigh and Gloria.
It’s not often that we get to make a difference to the lives of others, so let’s take this chance to help.
Gerhard Pieteres aka Jail4Bail said,
Wrote on October 22, 2008 @ 15:58
If things go according to schedule, 8 year old Burundian, Jean Claude and his family will probably be moved from Youngsfield to Blue Waters on Friday, 24 October 2008. Jean Claude is severely autistic. For the past three months he and his family have lived with great difficulty in an events style tent, separate from the other refugees. Dietry requirements are hopelessly inadequate, affecting his medication which in turn causes him to fall down and injure himself. At times, nights are spent with Jeane Claude screaming, making it impossible to live close to the other people in the community. He also suffers from epileptic fits brought on by the sound of the flapping tent. Jean Claude was traumatised recently when the tent collapsed on him.The tented structures the family could be moved to at Blue Waters are far flimsier than the one they are currently living in, making their situation even more difficult. It is vitally important that this family is provided with even the most basic means of achieving stability for the sake of their own sanity, ability to move forward with dignity and the health and well being of Jean Claude.
Jean Claude’s father has the potential of being a very powerful ambassador for autism. He not only speaks with unconditional love for his son, but with great understanding and compassion for the condition.
The family lost everything with the xenophobic attacks and do not know which way to turn. Unlike some of the people in the camp, they are not able to move out and live with friends or share accomodation until they are back on their feet as Jean Claude’s behaviour is too erratic and unpredictable.
The question will to take full responsibility for this family consisting of Jean Claude (8), his brother (7) and his mom & dad?
Alison from Cape Town said,
Wrote on October 22, 2008 @ 20:35
Try contacting Fatima at the Trauma Centre in Woodstock. They offer an incredible service. 021 4657373