Hello
all,
So
just wanted to share with you a little bit about my experience at the
IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camp. I went there with a group of
volunteers to help distribute food and clothing.
Arriving
into the IDP camps we were surrounded by stunning scenery. Its
located in a valley almost so the surrounding hills are vegetation
are just gorgeous. When you see the tents and conditions these people
live in though, the scenery is totally forgotten. The whole camp is
dusty and filthy and the people have been carrying water in
containers that used to hold sulphuric acid. They have to walk about
2km to get water and carry it back to the camp. Children covered in
dirt and mucus, coughing and spluttering but still smiling and trying
to play. Mothers welcoming us into their tents and showing us how
they live. Pregnant women – imagine bringing in a child to such a
desperate situation! Majority of these people used to work and be
middle class or at least have enough to feed their families. After
the elections last year they lost family members, homes, land –
everything. Everything they have is donated.
We
were taken through the camp and welcomed into some of the homes by
the women. Izzo ( one of the guys who helps organize the trip)
translated some of the stories and hardships from these women.
Literally rags, wires, plastic bags and wood were all put together to
help create these homes. The tents were originally donated by the UN
but that was as far as they extended their support. I broke down in
the last house we visited when a mother was holding her severely
malnourished child while crying and sharing her story. He was so
young and shy and you could see his bloated little tummy through his
shirt as a result of not getting enough nutrition and food. I wanted
nothing more than to pick him up and just hold him.
I
can't explain how it felt to see it first hand. It really is an eye
opener and made me appreciate what I have so much more. I am so lucky
to have my family and friends, who are all healthy and have options
in their lives. But this experience, as heartbreaking as it was, was
exactly what I pictured when I first decided to come to Africa to
help. I felt like we really did help and make a slight difference at
least. It obviously wasn't life changing but everything helps their
situation. Before we got to the camp we all put our money together
and bought food to distribute to the 100 families that live there. We
rationed out rice, sugar, potatoes, lard and clothes. At some points
the crowd became a bit rowdy and aggressive, fighting amongst each
other which got pretty intense.
This
will definitely be an experience that affects how I think and
something I won't forget. Hopefully I get the chance to do it again
before I leave.
Love
you all
Ki
xoxo
