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Alex Tour

Tour to Alex Proves to be a life changing experience

This tour was a truly enlightening and humbling experience for me, and something I believe all privileged South Africans should undertake. Going through Alex at “ground level” was distressing and uplifting – all at the same time. I was shocked to see just one outside tap having to be shared between 20 or more shacks, while several families have no option but to share a single toilet. An entire family living together in a tiny 3m x 3m house almost broke my heart. It was also saddening to see that bits and pieces of different scrap materials were used to construct the shacks and to hold them together. The washing lines were full of children’s and baby clothes. This shows just how many children are growing up here, many of them needing help with education or nutrition or protection from abuse. It angered me to see four completed blocks of flats still standing empty after five years, apparently due to some sort of administrative failure. The roads in Alex are chaotic and busy, some sections tarred while others are just dirt and quite bumpy. It also seemed that no one paid much attention to the traffic rules! Another obvious feature was the amount of water running down the streets, presumably from poorly maintained pipes. The mood in our little group started off slightly apprehensive, then changed to curiosity and then excitement as we entered a new world. Our concern for the living conditions was counterbalanced by the warmth and friendliness of the people, which was just amazing. There are many indications that the people are determined to rise above these adverse conditions and improve their lives. Many of the shacks are obviously owned by house-proud people who have done their best to keep both the inside and outside of their small dwellings neat and tidy. And numerous DStv satellite dishes scattered across the township are evidence that many residents are able to enjoy some home entertainment. Driving through Alex, it seemed to me that there are more car washes here than any place else I have ever visited. And, on the streets, everybody seemed to be selling something. A thriving street-economy, entrepreneurs by the thousand! I also loved the way in which we were welcomed by the residents, especially the children, who were so friendly and who hugged us spontaneously. Our braai lunch at Joe’s Lifestyle Butchery was a highlight of our tour. The hospitality was again warm and welcoming, and the food was superb. For me, what was crucial was my new understanding of Rays of Hope’s work and philosophy. I now have a better grasp of its partnership concept and what is meant by giving a “hand up” rather than a “hand out”. It’s about building bridges into peoples’ lives and circumstances while empowering them through relationships, love and skills. In particular, our visit to the Rose-Act Saturday School left me in awe of the selfless work being done by dozens of volunteer tutors every week to supplement the education of hundreds of Alex children. People travel the world to experience other cultures. But for me, my visit to Alex – virtually on my doorstep – changed something in me. This tour has given me a new perspective and I plan to make some meaningful changes in my life as a result. For more information about our Tour to Alex, or to attend, please contact Andrea on 0861 000 000 / andrea@raysofhope.co.za.

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