I am volunteering in a crisis center called Operation Bobbi Bear, founded by activist Jackie Branfield, and chiefly run by co-director Eureka Olivier. I have never met anyone like them and in my time here, they have already taught me the truest meaning of being of service to your fellow human being. Not by their words, but by their actions. Jackie is a one-woman powerhouse with more guts and passion for rescuing abused children, and spreading AIDS awareness than any government or organized group I have ever been part of or read about. The center runs on donations and she is widely known, respected, and sometimes ostracized for her work. She accepts no money from the government, (which once offered to fund her if she would drop the case of a highly connected individual that was being prosecuted for rape), because she cannot and will not be bribed. She and her family have sacrificed so much and dedicated their lives to this plight.

Calls come in night and day asking for our help. They come from hospitals, police stations, schools, and orphanages and sometimes they land on the front doorstep . . . all looking to be rescued from rape and sodomy. It is impossible to understand the nightmares that these people endure. The center has 3 women on staff, 2 drivers, and a steady rotation of Dutch volunteers that come in for a few weeks stay. I believe there are currently 6. In addition, there are 6 Zulu women at the center that have been trained extensively on sexual abuse and they also serve as interpreters, when required. And then there is me. We are kept so busy that most of the women "warriors" operate on little sleep. The women at the center have very unhealthy lifestyles . . . chain smoking, and unhealthy eating habits - most often they are grabbing a bag of chips from the gas station as we’re en route to the next call, meeting, courtroom, or hospital. But they love . . . oh yes! They hold nothing back and I feel like one of their family members. We are called the "Rough Aunties".

Operation Bobbi Bear’s goal, first and foremost is to rescue the child from immediate danger. When sexual abuse is confirmed, the child is either transported to the hospital (I use that term loosely), or the police. We have what is called a “rape bag”, filled with anything that might be needed after the investigation is complete. (Wet wipes, clean underwear, snacks, a drink, surgical gloves . . .) In addition, we take the child a cloth bear, permanent marker, and band-aids. The arms and legs on the bear move and this is how the child discloses what happened to them. They draw on the bear and it is an effective tool as it spares them the humiliation of showing the authorities on their own bodies what occurred. It is then submitted into evidence. The bears are an arresting testament to the stories of their experiences. If penetration has been determined, they are given an ARV drug, which is time sensitive, and must be administered within 72 hours. It lowers their risk of contracting the virus by nearly 80%. The trouble is, most children stay bottled up and don't "tell" until someone finds signs of it or their injuries are so brutal, it's undeniable.

We bring clean water, used clothing, and whatever donated food we can gather from local grocers. Word spreads across the countryside about the work Jackie is doing and for many, it is the first help or concern ever shown them. They come because they are hungry, sick, or have escaped an abusive situation and are seeking help. 3 children walked to the tree and waited for 3 days because their mother had died. They had no place else to go. I'm told some women and children start walking at 4AM to be there by 10AM.

I have become part of several organizations, outside of Bobbi Bear. One is a community protection forum. There aren’t enough police to cover the area, so the community is getting involved and starting up neighborhood watch groups that work in conjunction with the police. It is a start. It is activism against the criminals that have taken their streets, safety, and lives away.

I am also sitting on the board of Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness, which is gearing up for the World Cup coming to Durban in 2010, where they foresee major problems. Even though I am only here for 6 months, they still wanted me to participate on the board. I will be assisting the lead Sr. Prosecutor who has asked me to go to various organizations and give presentations on the human trafficking problem and how people can and must get involved. I will do all I can in this short amount of time.

Between rapes, court cases, poverty, and one of our Zulu staff members losing their house to a tragic fire this week, it is still a beautiful world and these women show me daily that life is worth living. I know I made the right decision to come here and volunteer. I am honored to give of my time, heart and energy. These people need us. They need our love and compassion . . . our understanding, even though the lives they live are incomprehensible. I am so lucky to bear witness to their lives and I am healed when I’m lost in Lady Fair’s hugs and when we ride in the car and they laugh with joy when I attempt to speak Zulu or when they smile with tears because I bring them food.