About a year ago, the Port Elizabeth City Council tentatively declared the area dangerous and illegal and began moving people out, with the stated goal of upgrading it once it was clear. Before this work could start, unfortunately, other homeless people moved in. After that, the council seemed to turn its back. Unemployment and overcrowding levels peaked together with problems like violence and child abuse. Painstakingly slowly, spearheaded by a partnership between local leaders, retired health workers and a handful of NGOs, the community is pulling itself out of the mire.
Health often overlaps with welfare.
A common scenario is patients who have been discharged from hospital, unable to work, with no prospect of receiving a social grant. Counselling is often what s needed, and this is part of their work. Instead, first aid can be administered. If a candle falls over and a person is badly burned, an ambulance should be summoned. But in the dark and signless world of Qaqawuli, guiding the ambulance is an art in itself, which has to be taught.