This is the first township on our itinerary. Imizamo Yethu is located near Hout Bay, where we visited a few days ago on our Cape Peninsula Tour. It is heartbreaking to see how the luxurious houses along the coast and the appalling living conditions of the people coexist in the same area. Our friendly guide Kenny led us through the township. He is part of the committee that helps raise the quality of living for the residents by building brick houses in place of the shacks made of metal plates right now. Throughout the tour I sensed Imizamo Yethu to be a really united and optimistic community, from the enthusiastic children who followed our group, the elderly sitting outside their houses waving to us, and the various amenities in place to help the people like computer labs, clinics etc.
The township is set in a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. We saw 4 public toilet cubicles that 50 families shared. There was a whole load of garbage at the entrance of the township, and residents are employed to clear it.
There was a craft shop opened to sell handmade items made by the residents. There were all sorts of items made of tea bags, like handbags, notebooks, cards, and even a table surface. It is nice that the shop owner came up with this idea so that more residents can gain income.
There have been volunteers from other countries coming to Imizamo Yethu to build brick houses for the residents. There is still a long way to go and many more houses in demand, but it seems that everyone is happy and filled with hope of a better life. We went into a shack occupied by a humble lady and I am impressed by how well-maintained the inside of the house is. I could not have imagined that by seeing the outside of it.
The new brick houses that are being built are well-equipped with a bathroom and two bedrooms. The residents are even given a choice of the color of their house. The community also has a clothing shop, several barbers, church, medical clinics and they look sufficient enough. Near the end of our tour, we saw a plot of barren land that may be used to build amenities like a fast food center as that is what the people want. Overall, I enjoyed the tour and feel really happy that the people there are receiving the help they need.
The township is set in a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. We saw 4 public toilet cubicles that 50 families shared. There was a whole load of garbage at the entrance of the township, and residents are employed to clear it.
There was a craft shop opened to sell handmade items made by the residents. There were all sorts of items made of tea bags, like handbags, notebooks, cards, and even a table surface. It is nice that the shop owner came up with this idea so that more residents can gain income.
There have been volunteers from other countries coming to Imizamo Yethu to build brick houses for the residents. There is still a long way to go and many more houses in demand, but it seems that everyone is happy and filled with hope of a better life. We went into a shack occupied by a humble lady and I am impressed by how well-maintained the inside of the house is. I could not have imagined that by seeing the outside of it.
The new brick houses that are being built are well-equipped with a bathroom and two bedrooms. The residents are even given a choice of the color of their house. The community also has a clothing shop, several barbers, church, medical clinics and they look sufficient enough. Near the end of our tour, we saw a plot of barren land that may be used to build amenities like a fast food center as that is what the people want. Overall, I enjoyed the tour and feel really happy that the people there are receiving the help they need.
This is a very thoughtful and insightful comment. It is important to see past the living conditions to see the people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us get a sense of your experience.