South Africa 2011: Welcome to Tafelsig!

It has been just at three months since I returned from South Africa. In the rush of packing, soaking up Cape Town and preparing for reentry into Missouri summer, I didn't get a chance to finish blogging. Looking back now, it has become evident just how important it is to document the end of the journey, especially my time at Tafelsig Clinic.

When all is said and done, I spent most of my time at Tafelsig being a student of sociology. I watched how the clinic worked, talked to patients and staff, learned to be a part of the community, and occasionally did actual work if someone needed an extra hand. A participant observer I suppose. I loved this role and am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of that wonderful community.

Most of these pictures were taken at the very end of the day on a Friday, and make the clinic look deceivingly calm. During the week from 7:30am-5pm, the clinic is FULL. Walking down the hall means weaving through adults and jumping over children. About 600 people are processed through the clinic everyday.

Before venturing to Mitchell's Plain, we drop Hazar and Emily of at TAC in Khayelitsha.

Wind shield view of Khayelitsha.

Welcome to Tafelsig! Tafelsig is a region of Mitchell's Plain.

Juliet and Parks. They're the best. They made sure I made it to and from Tafelsig in this cute bus everyday.

Tafelsig Clinic. For the first week at work, this security guard questioned my presence with a "Do you have business being here?"

Always made me smile.

This is Wendy in the reception area. She looks flustered and probably was. It was a busy place. When I was inside reception, they told me to stay away from the windows so patients didn't try to talk to me in Afrikaans. I dodged like a stealth between those files.

Reception area for children and infants. By the end of my stay, I was qualified enough to weigh babies on the scale in the back corner. Seems simple enough, but I was terrified.

Waiting area. During the day, every bench is full. I imagine that it is not a fun place to sit when truly sick.

I don't know this girl's name, but she was in several times during my internship. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful smile.

South African Vaccination Charts are notably different than those in the US. I would say that I spent the majority of my time watching children be vaccinated.

Medicine cabinet in my examination room. We were out of Penicillin the whole time I was there, and ran out of Tylenol not long after Penicillin.

More of the room!

Sister Sandy and Sister Charlene talking over some charts. Those charts on the corner of the desk are for people waiting outside the door with sick children. Lots of sick children.

In the break room! This was my favorite place, where I spent tea time and lunch time, and where I learned the most about South Africa; i.e. How to take tea, how to eat avocados, where to hide my belongings if I didn't want to be robbed, how to speak Afrikaans, and LOTS about the pros and cons of free health care.