Well I have now been in Durban for almost three weeks and am settling
into my home and workplace.
I am living with a wonderful Indian family which consists of
Melany Dawood the mother, and her three children Saraiya who is 19, Shakeel who
is 18, and Raessa who is 13.
Left to right- myself, Saraiya, Melany, Raessa, and Shakeel
The family lives in a flat which is in a very nice neighbourhood. There is a balcony which overlooks the city. From there I can see
the rugby stadium, the soccer stadium which was built for the world cup in
2010, and the Indian Ocean. It is lovely!
I have had a lot of fun with all of them! I have gone to church with them quite a few times in the past two weeks and this past week they have a wonderful music group from Ghana which has been leading some refreshing times of worship. I have also spent a lot of time playing card games with the kids which has been lots of fun. I’ve learned a few of their games they like to play and have taught them some of my favorites J
I have had a lot of fun with all of them! I have gone to church with them quite a few times in the past two weeks and this past week they have a wonderful music group from Ghana which has been leading some refreshing times of worship. I have also spent a lot of time playing card games with the kids which has been lots of fun. I’ve learned a few of their games they like to play and have taught them some of my favorites J
I have also slowly been moving into my role as a social
worker at Refugee Social Services (RSS). RSS aims to work with refugees in such a way that they are empowered to become self-sufficient and integrated into South African society. To do this they provide temporary financial assistance which ranges from rental and food assistance, to medical assistance, as well as with child care assistance which allows parents of young children to pay for childcare so they can work. They also provide referrals to a number of other social services available in the area. In addition, there are a number of projects within the organization which also seek to empower refugees in other ways. RSS runs a variety of vocational trainings which are beneficial to the refugees in finding jobs. These include sewing classes, salon classes, job training, and interpretation classes. They also teach English classes which is beneficial to refugees as they seek employment. In the midst of these services, my role will be to work with the refugees who come in to see how we can best support them—whether that be through financial support, vocational or other training, referrals, or psychosocial support.
All of the people who work there have been so wonderful as I have been learning about all of the aspects of my role there. The first week I mainly shadowed the other social workers to see how things were done, and the past week I began to see clients. There have been many things to learn in this time about South African policy and Refugee Social Services' programs as well as society’s view of refugees so that I can have a fuller understanding of my role. I have learned much already, but there is still much more to learn!
All of the people who work there have been so wonderful as I have been learning about all of the aspects of my role there. The first week I mainly shadowed the other social workers to see how things were done, and the past week I began to see clients. There have been many things to learn in this time about South African policy and Refugee Social Services' programs as well as society’s view of refugees so that I can have a fuller understanding of my role. I have learned much already, but there is still much more to learn!
As I adjust into my family and work place you can also pray for
me in these ways:
-That I would continue to learn how to connect with and care from those
who come from other cultures.
-Patience as I learn all of the different aspects of working at RSS as it all seems to come slowly.
-That I would reflect Jesus in my words and actions wherever I am throughout my days.
-That I would continue to make connections in my community and workplace.
Lastly, I came across this passage this week which articulates the things I have been praying for myself:
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might." -Ephesians 1:17-19
-Patience as I learn all of the different aspects of working at RSS as it all seems to come slowly.
-That I would reflect Jesus in my words and actions wherever I am throughout my days.
-That I would continue to make connections in my community and workplace.
Lastly, I came across this passage this week which articulates the things I have been praying for myself:
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might." -Ephesians 1:17-19
