Townships

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go into the townships that surround the city of Capetown. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. One of the first images that comes to mind when I think of the experience is one of a pink cement house about the size of a room with half of a tin roof and the other half covered with a tarp that was being held down by strategically placed rocks. This is followed by blocks and blocks of similar-looking houses with people milling about everywhere. As we're passing through the neighborhood the tour guide is explains to us that entire families, sometimes up to three generations share such tight conditions. She also explains that the older children will sometimes build shacks behind the house to sleep in when space becomes to tight.
After a few stop in front of a few tall buildings that house multiple families know has hostels. We go inside and are in a small room, the tour guide explains to us that this room is common room shared by different families living in the same apartment. There are two cement picnic tables and a leaking sink in the corner. Off of the common area or 4 bedrooms rooms and a small kitchen that I originally though was a pantry. Each bedroom has at 3, and up to 4, beds packed into it. We are told that one bed often houses one family so there can sometimes be 3 families sharing one ROOM. That means there can be twelve families in one of these small, unmaintained apartments.The most shocking thing about the whole situation was that these hostels are government subsidized housing where the tenants pay rent charged per BED.
I go outside to get some fresh hair and there are children playing in the courtyard which is an area of dirt with abandoned cars, shopping carts and other debris that have been dumped there. The children are using and old shopping cart and a cardboard box to play a game. When I told them I was from the States they started singing Justin Bieber and asked me if I knew him. I told them "no" and they allowed me to take some pictures with them and a video of them singing an Africa song.
After this experience, I must say that I have truly been humbled and I definitely have a greater appreciation for my life. It also has made me realize just how lucky we are to live in a place where there is system in place to assist people who are unable to provide for themselves in a way that does not further victimize and take advantage of them. Definitely counting my blessings!
Stay Blessed!