Avery on her homestay

This weekend we were welcomed into Ocean View, a sprawling neighborhood where children roamed freely, kicking deflated soccer balls in the road as older aunties hung their laundry on wires in between houses, and men smoked in their driveways.  This is where families of district six were relocated during the Group Area’s Act under the reign of the Apartheid Government.

Avery and Auntie Netta

My own host Auntie Netta had her family of 11 relocated during this big move. Originally all 11 of them were relocated into a 2-bedroom house, upon which her father had disputed the lack of space with the authorities and they settled the dissatisfaction by providing a 3-bedroom house instead.  For someone who had been given every reason to be bitter, Auntie Netta was the furthest thing from it. She welcomed my roommate Wylie and myself into her home with arms open wide and a heart opened even wider.  We discussed everything from family life, to community involvement over bowls of chocolate ripple ice cream. We sat up talking late into the night. I hope that I grow old to be like Auntie Netta. She was truly an inspiration as she spoke with love about everyone in her neighborhood- even if she didn’t know them by name. Her concern was so genuine.

           

In this neighborhood there is a current problem with use of Tic, known in the USA as Crystal Meth. The youth are in the streets, why push forward in school when the road ends after matriculation for those who cannot afford college? Auntie Netta spoke of them so tenderly but her words burned in my brain. She said, “How can a tree grow when its roots are drenched in poison instead of water?”  She spoke about the desperate need for these children to be mentored early in life. That there be something in place for them to fall in love with, to occupy themselves with, to look forward to becoming.  I sat on her couch hopeless of where this inspiration could come from until she said simply, “It has to come from its own community.”

           

Talent Show in Ocean View

That was when we went to the talent show put on by the Open Door Project. The Open Door Project is an after school program within Ocean View that is working to empower the children in the community. They put on a spectacular show for us- singing, dancing and showing off for everyone. Then, the older group came on. They called themselves the JP Crew. Their dance was done while they were dressed in all black and had white masks covering their faces. They blew everyone out of the water- but mostly they impressed the children in the front row watching them. I have never watched as inspiration happened, it was clear that these kids were excited, impressed- but most of all inspired. I caught a few of them after the show practicing their dance moves in loving imitation of the older boys. My heart warmed just to see such excitement. I hope that the older boys recognize how much of an influence their actions have on the next generation in Ocean View- regardless of where they decide to go, the have a responsibility to ensure that the youth of today has opportunities that they may not have had.

           

It is my sincere hope that these children see these examples more strongly than the influence of drugs, gang involvement and violence. Each of them had talent and the ability to become what ever they wanted to- they just need to be given the opportunity to sink their roots into some good fresh water.