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Bringing HOPE to the people

We were so blessed at Temba by our very first formal volunteer, Margaret Dungan, who came, like an angel, from Canada to help us. Detecting an Irish accent, we were curious about that as well as, why she chose Africa? We discovered that, in fact she was born in Ireland and spent her young adult life there.

At seventeen she started her nurses training at the Adelaide Hospital in the beautiful city of Dublin and in 1957 she married Irishman Eric Dungan, who at that time was the Assistant Priest at St Peter`s Anglican Church in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. While Eric continued his ministry for a further three years, Margaret worked as a staff nurse in Grey`s Hospital Pietermaritzburg.

In February l960 they very bravely left Pietermaritzburg on their great adventure – driving up through Africa in their van. A kindly parishioner helped them build the interior to be a comfort zone for both eating and sleeping. They left Africa at Tunis, and returned safely back to Ireland via Lapland.
In 1962 they moved to Canada, to a Parish in Montreal where they spent the next  22 years and where  all their children were born, although the eldest has settled in Ireland. They have been blessed by 8 grandchildren.

In November 2005 her beloved Eric died after a very long illness, and went home. Through all the sorrow, Margaret somehow knew that in the future she would be returning to Africa one day. The Lord would dictate the appointed time.

During the late eighties and she had worked with the AIDS infected and had become very aware and sensitised to the plight of people living with AIDS in Africa. It became quite clear that that is where she was meant to be. Convicted, she courageously sold their home in Kingston, Ontario, and bravely moved to Toronto, into a one bedroom condominium owned by her second son which enabled Margaret the freedom to just lock the door and go. This is when her search for where to go in Africa, began in earnest. Although she felt drawn to South Africa, and many ideas crossed her mind, it took prayer and patience to get the right fit which was not easy. The Anglican Church then gave her Lulu Boxoza`s details, as someone doing commendable work in Africa. This included her caring for the HIV-positive both in a shelter and in their homes, with Lulu and Mike Sodaba also giving workshops around the country on giving care and prevention , with much related and other useful information for her to look at. Her email to Lulu received a very warm response, and Margaret felt in turn that at last, the right fit was found. She immediately went to a map of South Afica to find Mthatha and thus the process was put into motion to go to Africa! Another adventure was starting.

Soon she was swamped with lengthy forms from the S.A. consulate in Toronto. She had to get police clearances from Ireland, Canada and South Africa. Health forms, proof of health insurance, proof of being able to support herself, as well as a confirmed ticket with stipulated dates of entry and departure from South Africa. At last it was all done. On 31st March 2008, Margaret took a night flight from Toronto to Paris, France ,  and from there a day flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. She spent the night there then took a day flight to Mthatha the following day.

Margaret expressed her being really pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome she had received from all around her and at the family home where she went to live. This was also the same with the warmth she  received from Miss Prim and her caregivers at the shelter, and also by a small group of people who immediately gathered around her to show her where the nearest Anglican Church was and to help solve any immediate problems as the needs might arise.This included warmer clothing  that was provided and lent to her as winter was approaching

On April 4th, she officially started work.

Margaret had no preconceived ideas as to what it would be like. She commuted by taxi daily to start work at 7.30am and finished at 4.00pm, with weekends off. She assisted daily with food preparation and serving of the meals. Where ever and whenever needed, Margaret would help in feeding clients as well.  Language was a big challenge, but somehow we overcame and her efforts to make all the appropriate tongue clicks produced much merriment and entertainment. Laughter is a good medicine after all! She was loved by all for her great sense of fun and so appreciated.

MARGARET Wrote :
"That life at Temba is always a mix of joy and sadness. There is much singing and praising God by both clients and care givers. That is how the day begins and ends, and it is never far away. Different church groups come and join us also and they often bring us gifts of food. One group brought a wonderful meal for all. They served it and even brought their own dishes.
Our saddest times are, when some young people wait too long to seek help and we lose them.
We look for things to celebrate. We enjoy the sunny days in the garden. There are so many little things that we can do that brings some joy and hope into their lives, making simple crafts, using colouring books. Painting toe nails, just having fun. One particular young patient is very resourceful herself. One day recently a thin rope that was helping support the branches of rose bushes broke. This girl picked it up, looked at it for a second and then started to use it as a skipping rope! Others joined in, no one was very good at it, but there was a lot of laughter. This girl has had three people die in the bed next to her..
We are all looking forward to our move to the new Temba Shelter, in Maydene Farm.
 

My time here is beginning to run out. I return to Canada in September with a stopover for two weeks in Ireland to visit family and friends. I have learnt much from the resourceful caregivers at Temba. I have been to five birthday parties and a wedding. I attended two amazing celebrations of Nelson Mandela`s 90th Birthday  plus a special celebration we had at Temba. I have been able to attend two sessions of Lulu`s inspiring workshops as well. I am also part of a Bible Study group that has functioned for 25 years, except for during holiday periods. There are at least five different nationalities in the group of all ages.

I know it will not be easy to leave when the time comes, but my family and eight grand children are a big draw!"

Margaret left from Mthatha, leaving very many deeply sad at having to say goodbye. Margaret has inspired us all. She also endeared herself to us, and was an example how to turn grief into a testimony and a blessing. Her life reflects Jesus Christ in its out working. We thank your family who entrusted you to us. We are grateful for answered prayer in keeping you safe.

Thank you for such a fine precedent.
 

Lulu Boxoza with Margaret (far right)

A volunteers story - Margaret Dungan