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26 May 2008

Comments

Wobs

I understand what you are saying, Mel. I think the local people are coming from a place of fear - and fear sometimes makes people irrational. There is a lot of anger (from locals) and anger usually covers up pain which hides fear.... Hope this resolves itself quickly.

Flicka

Oh Mel, what a mess. I don't know what to say. Sarge and I took some time out yesterday night to sit together and pray for you as you minister to these hurting people, and for the people themselves and for the long term effects that this will have on your country. There's so much to consider but I know God has it all in His hands. I'm thinking of you.

xxoo

Gina

Mel, I take my hat off to you, to be able to go out there and volunteer your time, energy and your heart like that is truly a gift!

I work for a Jewish NPO in Johannesburg, we have been making appeals to the Jewish community for donations of any kind and we have made at least a bakkie load a day for the past week. This morning when I walked into the lobby at work I had to negotiate a mine field of blankets, clothing, dry goods, toys, bags of disposable nappies and other essentials just to get to the lift. Instead of a bakkie, today we had a large truck come to collect. By the time I left today the lobby had started filling up again.

It makes me proud to know that even though there are a few nasty xenephobic people out there, there are still so many loving, giving and amazing South Africans out there, people like you with hearts so huge and full of light and love. These are the people the rest of the world should be reading about.

Thank you Mel!

Jen @ amazingtrips

Only humans are capable of such intense love and such intense hatred. If only there were more people in the world like you...

Laura in L.A.

Mel, I am so sorry to hear all this. The SA situation is getting almost NO news coverage here in the US.

My ass-vice to you is to continue to focus your time and attention on BB. I think in situations like this, it is very important to maintain your charity efforts on behalf of the local population. You have a limited amount of time and energy, Mel, and BB provides so much good. Don't wear yourself out. Again, this is my 2 cents only.

Praying for you and your family and everyone in South Africa. Keep us posted.

Love, Laura

Bianca W

Hey Mel. I understand exactly what you are saying.
You are doing an amazing job. Well done!
B

Jeanne

I agree with what you say 100%. Although I think the attacks are a disgrace, I can see how the situation was created where they became possible. People are so disillusioned by the Government's lack of delivering on promises made earlier and by their general silence on pressing issues like illegal immigration. The Govt attitude seems to be "if we don't acknowledge there is a problem, there there is no problem", so rather than confront the problem head-on, enforcing our immigration laws and putting in place a proper system to deal with refugees and asylun seekers, they allowed all comers to filter through our porous borders. Obviously it won't take long for the local people to think hang on, seeing as every man and his dog now has access to medical care and schools etc etc via the state, suddenly there is less to go round for us locals. In this climate, it wouldn't take much to whip up people's latent anger at their situation into a violent frenzy. People want to blame somebody, but the politicians who authored their misery are untouchable (and, it appears, unaccountable to them). Foreigners, however, are infinitely easier to attack. Too ghastly but not entirely unpredictable.

And I also hear what you say about people not giving to local charities on a regular basis, only when there is a disaster like this. The worst is that as you say, there is no leadership on this, so how are we going to stop it and prevent it from happening again going forward?

Last but not least, I agree with a previous commenter: your main energies should be directed at maintaining BB. Don't spread yourself too thin. Long after the refugee camps have been dismantled, there will still be local moms who need you in the hospitals.

Vasbyt - and you ROCK.

Kelly

I agree with the wise women above. I think continuing to focus your efforts on BB will show the locals that there is enough love to go around.

angel

really makes me want to count my blessings...

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