Last Thursday I was at Makaphutu. That's the children's village (or orphanage) that I stayed at when I came to South Africa in November. As I walked into the house we stayed in I experienced that wonderful nostalgia that you get when you're encountering something tangible that represents good memories. Kind of like when you smell a shampoo that your mother used to use on you when she gave you a bath and you quickly remember the warmth, protection and love you felt when you were little. Unfortunately there was also a not so pleasant memory I experienced on that visit as well. You see, about a quarter of a mile away on a hill (and in line of sight of Makaphutu) sits a house. In the front yard of this house is a grave site. To the naked eye it's just a bunch of mounds of dirt used to cover the dead. The story behind it is far worse. The reality is within each grave lies multiple bodies (10, 20, 30?) of those who represent the forgotten. Human beings who died alone, left this life unclaimed, and then were carelessly dumped in a hole so as to be "properly" disposed of. No individual burial site to indicate that a unique human being rested there. No grave marker to show this person had their own identity. No one to mourn them or the life experiences they did not live long enough to enjoy. During this visit to Makaphutu there was a delivery of bodies which included children. I can't help but weep at the fact that these who are supposed to be outside playing carelessly, enjoying the deepest of belly laughs that only kids can experience, and daydreaming the impossible were at that moment being dumped in a grave with not a single parent to stand there and grieve over their loss. It's just not fair. What's even more unfair is the diseases that caused their deaths were likely treatable but the financial resources just weren't there to give them what they needed. There's nothing so inexcusable as the end of life that could've been very easily prevented. It's hard for me to convey with words just how heartbreaking this is to me. I hope you can at least get a picture of the tragedy this grave site represents and allow yourself to weep as well.
2 comments:
Amber,
You’ve done as well as I can imagine at putting the overwhelming feelings of the site into words. Often I weep at the senseless necessity of a site like this and the speed at which the “graves” are filled. Just remember the unexplainable beauty on one side, the senseless darkness on the other and the light of Makaphutu in the middle. It’s the perfect symbol of the type of existence to which we’ve been called. I look forward to a changed Amber. I also look forward to visiting a South Africa that’s been changed because of your strength on this trip.
Those feelings that you describe at Makaphutu, those are the feelings of lives changed, including a small group that left Indiana as near strangers and returned as an amazing family. At this moment, your big brothers are back in Indiana and are grateful for the opportunity to share with you. We’re with you in your struggles and triumphs.
Much love
J.C.
Reading your blog made me think of the graves of the holocaust victims. Senseless and unforgiveable. I know it is not exactly the same, but it just reminds us that there are so many people in life that have been cheated out of the life that we enjoy everyday and take for granted. It is so hard to understand why things like this happen.I admire you for wanting to make life better for others. You have a heart for giving.
Love you,
Jannie
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