Yesterday we visited the Township of Khayelitsha. Met with Elise Elsing. A German engineer who moved here when she was 27. In the 1980's when her parents were coming to visit, her mother found herself sitting next to Mother Theresa who was heading to the township to do work. Upon arriving Elise's mother informed her that she wanted to visit Khayelitsha - something that wasn't done. To make a long story short Elise's mother returned to Germany where she still heads up a fund raising campaign at the age of 90 years old to build schools in the township.
Now for Elise. With the help of her mother's fundraising she left her engineering job and for the past 20 years has helped build primary schools in the township. So far she has built 14 schools and 1 community center. A very well respected, hard working woman in the community, known by the children as Mama.
After visiting two schools, we visited the Nubantu center where we had lunch and also were entertained by the children. From there we visited Vicky's B & B, where we had dinner and many of us stayed for the night. A few others stayed at other local B & B's. The students can now appreciate what we have as Americans. Pictures will follow.
Vicky is a very well known and respected person in the township as she is helping to build homes and bring business to the community.
It is very sad to see the conditions that many of the residents live in. Known as shacks, these are built with anything that residents can find to build with.
See my facebook page for the most recent pics.
Ron
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