Out of the 5 W’s, “why?” is the question I ask myself most often. Why does the man in the photo need use a wheelbarrow as a means of transportation? Why do 15 year old girls have babies? Why do TB patients not come into the clinic to take their important medication? Why do HIV patients wait until their CD4 count is 28 before seeking help? (a healthy person has a CD4 count (a type of white blood cell) of over 800. Below 200 qualifies a person for anti-retro viral (ARV) treatment to fight the HIV virus. 28 is nearing a death sentence). Why do men have the nerve to beat up their wife and then ask for painkillers to bring to her? Why would someone bite off someone else’s finger tip? Why are people always drunk? Why are kids not in school? Why does a family neglect their alcoholic father to the point of him becoming completely emaciated and accumulate multiple medical conditions? All of these questions have risen out of daily encounters that I’ve have with people in Itipni. I think that the reason I keep asking “why” is that this seems to be the first step to come up with a solution. How can tragic cases be helped if the root of the problem is not understood? I’ve noticed that issues here have so many layers, and often become more and more complex the further you break them down. Continuing to be part of this new culture is bringing some understanding, and I am slowly being able to hypothesize some possible answers. I won’t write any of those thoughts yet since there is a lot of learning to do, but be sure to challenge me on these thoughts when I return home. I also realize that many of my questions will go unresolved, and even a lifetime in Mthatha would not bring sufficient understanding of these problems that are deeply rooted. As is the case in all of our lives, answers don’t come easily!
4 comments:
You are wise to always ask "why?" and then realize that you can't necessarily answer the question...sounds like your experiences are giving you lots to think about. We're proud of you.
Definately good questions. I would love to see where your thought have lead you when you get home. Praying for you!!!
Deep questions, Claire. I symphathise with the million unknowns in your mind. Keep asking.
Claire, you sound like a social worker! And that's a good thing (at least I think so). Digging for the roots of social issues and injustices...it's huge, overwhelming work. And I'm learning in my own practicum that the "why"s in inner-city Winnipeg can be just as confusing and frustrating as the "why"s you speak of across the globe! So keep digging for these answers, and looking at 'the big picture,' but always remember to celebrate the little miracles, successes, and joys. That's the great thing about working with people; people are infinitely complex, but everyone has goodness, strength, and resilience (even when it's hard to see sometimes). So yeah...thanks for your reflections! I'm very much enjoying following your adventures via blog! :) Take care!
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