The past three weeks have absolutely flown by. I feel like time is going by so quickly (which is scary!) yet we only just started our work here. It’s funny to see how everyone is adapting and I feel as though we’re finally settling in and establishing routines. My first week at Beautiful Gate was amazing, and I can’t believe how much I’ve already learned. The first day we went to a local clinic where the nurses from beautiful gate treat children with HIV/AIDS and we were able to shadow a few of the doctors there. As someone who is not entering the medical field it was a really great opportunity for me to learn so much, not only about HIV/AIDS but also the work being done at the clinic. Tuesday and Wednesday I was introduced to the social work department of Beautiful Gate, and with the help of Mama Titi I have been slowly learning the ways of their work. I have been going on house visits with Mama Titi and Nosi, and it’s hard to put into words what I’ve taken from them. As part of the reunion process between the children and their families, beautiful gate workers visit with the families during the child’s stay, and an additional six months after they return home to make sure things are going well. It is so difficult to process these experiences, as they have each impacted me in a different way, and have evoked a variety of emotions. To say the least, it has been a humbling experience to meet these people who face such hardship, and have so little. Without sounding disrespectful, I can say I leave Beautiful Gate everyday remembering how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for. I also leave everyday appreciating the hard work every employee there does, and optimistic about the people who care about the social injustices present in this country.
Emily, Siobhan, Susie, Meaghan, Lianna, Joe, Kate, Dana
On a lighter note! We have still been doing really exciting things, including conquering table mountain! Not exactly a piece of cake, but it was absolutely amazing. The views from the top of the mountain were some of the prettiest I have ever seen. It still amazes me that mountains, a city, and the ocean can surround us all at the same time. Cape Point was another trip we had that was incredible. There are so many beautiful things we have seen here it is hard to take them all in! I am so happy with the past three weeks and I can’t wait for what this week brings!
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