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October 22, 2004, The Blue Bakkie, by Chris
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| Thaboleng. |
In August, thanks to the generosity of my Mom, we acquired a 1997
Mazda 2.5 litre diesel single cab pick-up truck (known here as
a bakkie) with 121,000 km on it. This bakkie’s most distinguishing
feature is that it is a pretty metallic teal blue and that it’s
not a Toyota. In South Africa at least 80% of bakkies are white.
Other popular colours are red, black and silver. We don’t
know anyone else with a bluegreen truck.
Yesterday the odometer passed 131,000. 10,000 kilometers in just over two months.
It was a good day to pass the 10,000 km mark. I left very early to pick up
four patients and their caregivers in Ndawana and transport them to St. Apollinaris
Hospital in Centocow. We only transport people who are considered housebound
and are not able to transport themselves. Princess Mjoli went with her Gogo
(grandmother). Princess is twelve and suffers from severe cerebral palsy.
She cannot walk or talk but is responsive and laughs and smiles. Her tiny
Gogo carries her everywhere on her back. I am taking her to be evaluated
by the orthopedic surgeon for correction of a hip deformity. I also pick
up, at the end of an almost impassably muddy track, another girl with cerebral
palsy – Thaboleng. She is nine. Her caregiver is her twelve year-old
sister. Child headed families are not uncommon in Ndawana. Thaboleng’s
disabilities seem to be much more physical and less cognitive. She chatters
and seems very bright. She has never been to school – there is no way
to transport her except on her sister’s back and she is now getting
too big. She will be evaluated for a disability grant and possible placement
in a school for the disabled.
The other two patients are a stroke victim and a burn survivor. Ignatia was
severely burned as a child and does not have the use of her right hand. She
is the only ambulatory person along today. She helps with the others and
has enough English to make sure that I don’t get lost at the hospital.
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| Blue Bakkie Hearse. |
300 kilometres later we return to Ndawana – everyone happy
but tired. We have acquired four buggies (a hybrid stroller/wheelchair
for the children). Two are for the kids that went to Centocow today,
the others for two other CP children in the village. We also arrive
home with a wheel chair for Mr. Mohloale, the stroke patient. Now
Matukiso won’t have to carry him everywhere.
The blue bakkie may not look like much, but yesterday it carried four patients,
three caregivers, me, and five wheelchairs. Two weeks ago it served as a
hearse at the funeral of Sibusiso’s brother-in-law when the “real
hearse” broke down. Tomorrow it will return to more mundane chores
once again and carry sand and cement to the building site. Such is life here.
Multi-functional takes on whole new meanings.
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