More tales from South Africa

[emmelinemay]

from Mum's journal:

on Saturday night we had a call, late, from Beauty, who, after trying doctors, ambulance and the police, all to no avail, had rung us in desperation. Nobuntu, her oldest child (her niece, but she is bringing her up since her sister died), aged 16, (Beauty, incidentally is 29), was in serious pain, and they needed her seen by a doctor urgently. We threw our clothes on and drove into Railton (our area where the 'previously disadvantaged' live) to pick her up. Dave had been fast asleep, but was not keen that I should drive in Railton on my own, so bless his heart, we both went. Poor little thing, she could hardly walk. She looked incredibly fragile. We drove to the hospital, and later went to pick her up after Beauty called to say they had finished. Railton, incidentally was as quiet as anything - I am sure I would have been safe. But everywhere else was quiet too, so how come there were no ambulances or police available to help in an emergency? Not only that - but there were no doctors at the hospital. Apparently, they would have called one if they felt the situation warranted it - and in Nobuntu's case, they didn't. I cannot believe that they didn't, I can't tell you how ill that child looked.
We dropped her off at her house, and Beauty, full of thanks, said, 'I cannot believe you got out of your beds to come to help us. You are not like usual people from South Africa'. (I am not making any comment about this - these were her words and her perception).
Today, as she is no better, Beauty has to take Nobuntu to Worcester Hospital for tests (about one and three quarters hours' drive). We were going to offer to take them, but Beauty explained that there was hospital transport. There was a problem though - it cost 200 rand. (about £18) (remember Beauty, the sole bread winner in a family of five, earns 12 rand an hour, (about £1) working for us two days a week). She did not ask for the money, but we gave it to her, and she is insistent that she works for nothing until her debt is paid.
There are so many thoughts going round in my head about all of this.

Comments

[fracture242.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm afriad my country is in a sad state indeed. It really is the most beautiful place in the world, but is so very much in trouble in so many ways. It makes me cry to even think of it I'm afraid I myself had to leave due to the problems there. So much in this world is not as it should be.

[angel-emma.livejournal.com]

When you read stuff like that, it makes you realise how selfish we can be. Our problems are nothing compared with those girls. I know it's not their/our faults that we were born into different lifestyles but still, it's a sick world that lets people suffer like they do there.