Aiding Africa

Kitt Lang recalls a freezing August day with cyclonic wind and rain when the Australian delegation to ITF Congress ventured into Cape Flats, a seemingly endless slum on the outskirts of Cape Town.

"Under the shadow of Table Mountain we met Clive, a retired gent who spends three days a week delivering bread to 14 schools," said the Brisbane wharfie's wife. "A peace of bread and some soup make the long, wet walk to school worthwhile."

The schools all share the policy "You can't educate kids on an empty stomach."

Large placards proclaim: "We are an HIV/AIDS friendly school."

One in five South Africans has HIV or AIDS. Nearly one in every 10 children has lost their mum or dad, if not both parents to the disease. Around half live below the poverty line.

South Africa is crippled with a severe AIDS epidemic. By the end of 2005, the World Health Organisation reported five and a half million people living with HIV, with almost 1,000 AIDS deaths every day.

Cemeteries are filled to overflowing with the dead. In some parts of the country graves are being recycled (The New York Times

29/7/2004)

"Seeing the kids with aids was heartbreaking," said rank and file delegate Neville Bonney. "The children turn up at school, knowing they'll be fed. A bowl of soup and some bread is their only meal for the day."

"As we drove away from the razor wire topped school fences and overcrowded classrooms everyone was very quiet," said Kitt. "Silent tears and many a thought ran through our heads about our own children; about how much we have, and how much we give them."

The Australian workers could not get the images of the children out of their heads.

"It was very quiet on the way back in the bus," said Dave Schleibs, MUA. "There was an eerie feeling. Everyone was deep in thought wondering 'What can we do? How can we help?'"

On return to Australia MUA officials Jim Tannock, Mick Wickham, Ian Bray and Dave got together with others and set up a special aid fund. It was named after former union leader and ITF executive board member, the late Tas Bull, in honour of his work for Union Aid Abroad and international solidarity. Together with other Australian transport unions in Australia and New Zealand they raised more than $50,000 through a raffle. But that was not enough. Mick and Dave also got donations of goods for disadvantaged schools and HIV orphanages.

"Visiting the schools was an eye opener," said Mick. "They've got nothing; the kids have to share a pencil."

Mick coordinated the first shipment talking directly with local Australian school principals and volunteers.

Sisters Haylee, 12, Tahnee, 14 and Erin Rowe, 10 from local Ulverstone schools helped pack the boxes of school supplies.

They filled one container with 20,000 pens and pencils, 55 computers, hundreds of boxes of books, clothing and toys.

TT-Line donated the computers, Patrick donated a container, Dubai Ports World received and loaded it free on the Melbourne docks and Safmarine/Maersk shipped it over for free.

The first container arrived in Cape Town in March.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union SATAWU is working with Union Aid Abroad and Educompass to ensure the supplies reach the schools.

Meanwhile Kitt's husband Mark (Bushie) Lang, a wharfie and welder has fitted out a second container in Brisbane as a facilities block for Cape Flats. And on Australia's West coast the union has already enough goods to fill a third container in storage.

"South African kids have poor nutrition," said Ken Davis, International Programs Manager, Union Aid Abroad. "The money will help people like Clive hand out bread at the schools. It will also go towards life skills training to families and shop steward training on HIV for SATAWU and Zimbabwe Railway Workers' Union."

The program is being run in conjunction with the ACTU aid agency Apheda - Union Aid Abroad and the ITF HIV/AIDS campaign - to prevent future infections, provide care and support and make HIV a workplace issue.

The initiative, launched on World Aids Day, December 1, 2006, encourages all affiliates to get involved.

"There are many more schools without Clive or Union Aid Abroad to help," said Kitt. "Government funding provides food for about half their pupils, so every day the teachers must choose who gets fed, and who stays hungry. In many cases there is no food at home either. Very few people are eligible for benefits in South Africa, so when you have no income, you really have NO income! I hope I can convince all comrades to sign up for a regular donation."

A special launch of the container for Africa project was held at Cheapies Car Yard, Brisbane on October 14.