Visit #1

Today I went to work with the women for the first time. We talked about symbols. I asked the ladies to draw something that she believed symbolizes who she is. Unfortunately I do not have a scanner and my camera is not adequately capturing the images. I will find a way to get the images on here eventually, but the following is what some of the women wrote:

Priscilla:

“My heart makes me who I am, very strong and meaningful. I always follow my heart. If my heart says no then it is no. I always trust my heart. It makes me feel good. My kids are my everything. I would do anything if you try to hurt them. They are my inspiration. They made me who I am. I always ask God to keep me alive until they finish school and start working. I don’t even care how much HIV and AIDS can try to put me down. I always bring myself up and wait for the day when my youngest son is old enough to work.”

When Priscilla told me her story she explained that her son is 20 years old (my age) and in eleventh grade. She seemed embarrassed. “He had cancer,” she told me, “that’s why he’s so late in school. He was in the hospital a lot when he was younger and missed a lot of school.” Despite his troubles he went back to school and is finishing his education. “I ask God everyday to keep me long enough to see my son [finish school]. After that AIDS can take me.”

[Priscilla drew a picture of a heart. The heart is drawn like a traditional symbol of a heart, but then she also added valves and such]

Gladys:

“My home and my family are very important to me. Also I have a child who I love so much. He is the gift from God. Why am I proud of the above-mentioned things? Because my home is where I live. My family support me in every step of the way in my life. Even this period of sickness they still are with me. That gift that I have already told you about is the major priority in my life. I have skills I am doing.”

[Gladys drew a picture of her house, herself, beading and a star. She explained her house and the beading and then said, “I drew a star because it is a symbol of the star I want to be.”]

Buyiswa:

“I have no parents. I have only two sisters. [My parents died] when I was thirteen years old. I know how to cook because my two sisters teach me everything at my home and I know cleaning my home and sewing hats.”

[Buyiswa drew her two sisters and her stove with pots on it]

Nombulelo:

”My family is so important to me in my life. If I am sick they are the most important to me. They are the one who look after me and we live in a happy home. You don’t hear us fighting and shouting. My husband don’t like to do wrong things to the person. He is a nice guy. I like to stay with him. He is not the father of my son, but you can’t see that. He loves him. He do for him everything that he want. My son is 11 years old. I was very corrupt in my younger age, but for the sake of him [I changed].”

[Nombuelo drew her husband Moses and her baby’s Sonwabo’s face]

Ntombizandile:

“I was born here in Grahamstown in Tantyi Location. I grew up with my brothers and sisters, two brothers and five sisters. We used to go to church every Saturdays. My father worked at Colobruk for years so that he can make each of us everything we want to be. Now I’m old enough. I’ve got my own family and I know how to cope with my children. The oldest one is working. He shared his salary with me and his sisters which are still in school. No matter I’m sick I know that my family is still loves me. That’s what I’m proud of. My parents, they makes me live my life stronger and safer.”

Ntombizandile had a baby boy with her. He was wrapped up on her back. He was beautiful and healthy. She expressed her sadness to me that eventually her son will have to grow up without a mother.

[Ntombizandile drew portraits of her father and mother]

Additional drawings/stories:

[These were either written in Xhosa or are just a drawing with no narrative]

Monica:

Written in Xhosa. Monica drew her house with her family in it and her mother and father wearing very elaborate clothing. The house is very detailed, as well.

Mutiwe:

No narrative: Mutiwe drew her and her two sons eating apples. The apples are very large, up to their waists. The clothing is also very detailed like Monica’s.

Thelma:

Written in Xhosa. Thelma drew her children. Two are just heads and two have bodies. She uses interesting shapes to configure the bodies, rather than stick figures or circles.

Noziplo:

Written in Xhosa. Noziplo drew her mother. She talked about how much her mother means to her and how much she loves her mom. The drawing is also rather detailed showing her mother in heels with earrings and rings.