My South African Journey

      21 October 2010
      Written by Philippe Duterloo

      The trip involved meeting North Star Alliance colleagues based in Southern Africa – the most active region for the organization – as well as a trip to Swaziland (a country with a staggering HIV/AIDS prevelance rate of +30%) to visit and understand the running of a wellness centre, joining a ‘learning event’ with outreach workers, attending meetings and engage in talks with a potential container supplier. My philosophy was, the more I talk and ask, the more I would be prepared for potential barriers. As a mentor of me once told - never assume - it is then that you make an ass out of u and me.

      The trip from The Gambia to South Africa was not as straighforward as I expected. It involved three flights, a sleepless night at Dakar airport where, to my opinion,I heroicly batteled a sworm of mosquitos with insect spray and penetrating heat with a mini fan attached to my pen. These ‘silly’ gifts do come in useful sometimes. However, with the downfalls of travelling come unexpected and sometimes unforgetable moments - I met the Marabout of Senegal (Head of Islam) – one of the most infuential figures in the country.
       
      I arrived in South Africa. First things first, after two weeks of fish in The Gambia, I needed meat! So I headed to the nearest shop that sells biltong – for those that are new with it, it is dried meat and … its delicious! This set the tone for my meat-filled diet the coming three weeks, including a Friday braai with colleagues – the best lunch I will ever have at work – and an all you can ‘eat meat’ at the Carnivore restaurant that included impala, kudu and even crocodile.
       
      It was 20 years ago, at the end of apartheid, when I first arrived in South Africa. Since then (thank partly the 2010 World Cup) the country has changed tremendously, mostly for the good. Compared to The Gambia, it is a luxury resort with warm water, working electricity, huge shopping malls that do not sell out of date food and nicely kept tarmaced roads. However, behind this mirage, South Africans worry. I only wonder where South Africa will be in 20 years from now?
       
      With my newly made friend, Collin, and Western-Africa manager Danielle we ventured out to Swaziland – a days drive from Durban. We talked about many deeply rooted issues such as apartheid, politics, family-life, rebola and of course HIV/AIDS, we indulged in West-African music that got Collin buzzing and we saw a wide-array of wildlife. Danielle even saw a giraffe, making me think: how is it possible for me to miss a giraffe?!
       
      Once in Oshoek (Swaziland) wellness centre, Danielle and I picked the brains of the nurse and outreach worker – something we have been looking forward to for a long time! The day after, we engaged in talks with UniTrans, a large corporate, and the townboard for setting up a potential new wellness centre. This was a reality check! We came face to face with the delays the industry is known for, which included being patient with bureaucracy, following an endless list of procedures, and complying with sometimes ridiculous rules & regulations. Finding an appropriate site with all the water, electricity and drainage connections was not a breeze either. I am fearing the worst in The Gambia…
       
      On the contrary, and beyond my expectations, the workshop in Johannesburg was a very productive, punctual and efficient event, but above all, enjoyable. With all the outreach workers from Southern Africa we developed a new and standardized Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) strategy – in essence how do these workers reach out to their clients and persuade them to visit the clinic and test themselves.
       
      With my South African journey coming to a halt, my Gambian one is only starting. There is a lot of work ahead and it is now up to me to deliver. I will soon address a taskforce and hold meetings with the Ministry of Health, Gambian Ports Authority, Transport Unions and remain close with UNAIDS and the National Aids Secretariat. It is an exciting time and I hope what I have learned in South Africa was enough. However, only time will tell.
       
      I would like to thank the Durban North Star team for their hospitality and ongoing help, and look forward to working closely with them the coming months. As always, every wellness centre has its unique challenges and I will keep you posted on these. For the time being, I am glad to be back ‘home’ … in The Gambia.
      Keep on smiling!
      Gallery: 

      Comments

      Peter_Black's picture

      Submitted by Peter_Black on 21 October 2010
      Oh how I crave biltong!!! I hope your high protein diet did not lead you to a very upset tummy ! haha Really glad you have got to see the changes that have happened in SA over the past 20 or so years. I was shocked at how much a change there had been in 4 years never mind 20 ! Glad you aslo got to drive along some of the best bits of SA on your way to Swaziland - awesome road trip that and I have very found memories of my trip with Paul Matthew back in 2008 when I did the same sort of thing. I am sure you have learnt loads from your trip to SA and it will see you in good stead for your project in Gambia. Wishing you all the best and will look forward reading more blogs from you. Oh - do you have to post photos of biltong ??? Only makes me hungy and homesick! haha All the best and keep up the good work

      Submitted by Ian Lubbe on 21 October 2010
      Hi Phillippe Good to know that you enjoyed your trip into Swaziland. Pity I was not here to meet you but sure we will meet somewhere on the road... Keep well and good luck in Zambia, from what Alex descibed it sounds like a bit of a nightmare! Cheers Ian

      Submitted by Epkema on 21 October 2010
      leuk om weer ff wat van je te horen! klinkt helemaal niet slecht daar, die biltong is de shit he! hier alles nog altijd z'n gangetje, tentamen week op komst dus het is lekker UB'en... hou je haaks jongen! x

      Submitted by karla duterloo on 21 October 2010
      Love to read the Blog, must have been another interesting experience out there in South Africa. Welcome "back home", see you there!
      Gerard Steehouder's picture

      Submitted by Gerard Steehouder on 22 October 2010
      guys, I'm about to leave, half November to Kenya and another few countries, you're scaring me, come on haha
      Guus van der Zijden's picture

      Submitted by Guus van der Zijden on 25 October 2010
      Must have been a great mentor....love that quote! Ain't no mountain high enough in Gambia, the wellness centre will become reality.
      Philippe Duterloo's picture

      Submitted by Philippe Duterloo on 26 October 2010
      The highest point in The Gambia is 53m... ;)

      Submitted by Rimmel on 25 October 2010
      Phil, als ik het zo lees ga je het goed druk krijgen de komende tijd. Maar jou kennende gaat dat helemaal goed komen. Zeker nu je je favoriete snack weer in handen hebt. Biltong keeps Duterloo running, right? Hier in de hoofdstad alles z'n gangetje. Tentamenweek dus iedereen in een 9 to 5 ritme op de UB. Good luck komende tijd, het begin is vaak het zwaarst. Keep up the good work ouwe! x Rimmel

      Submitted by Anonymous on 28 October 2010
      veel groetjes en succes
      sophiegaarenstroom's picture

      Submitted by sophiegaarenstroom on 09 November 2010
      Vet verhaal hoor Phil, heb nu beter idee wat je daar allemaal doet! Ben jaloers op je Z-A ervaring! Echt heel gaaf! XX

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