My Supports

Living in a foreign country, support comes in the least expected forms.  It can be from the familiar grocer or the woman selling fruit on the side of the road. I think in order to receive support, you have to be willing to be supported.

My husband and children are my biggest supporters. We have built trust and respect for one another over the years. They support me through participating in volunteer programs, encouraging me by doing their homework while I do mine, and taking on responsibilities when I need extra time for myself. Without these supports I would be overwhelmed and not have enough time to complete my daily responsibilities.  Other supports include friends in my neighborhood.  These friends look after my children and my home when I am away.

I imagined myself not being able to drive a car in Johannesburg. Not being able to drive would be a tremendous loss of independence for me.  Public transportation is limited to mini buses we call taxis. The drivers are dangerous and the taxis are crowded. There is no schedule to speak of so I would have to learn how to be on time based on how the taxi drivers drive. Hundreds of people queue for hours to ride in these taxis. I would also have to walk to most places because taxis only take you from street to street, not place to place.  They are not allowed to go into parking lots of the shopping centers. 

If I didn’t drive, I would plan my day differently. I believe I would be more efficient in where I went. I would not be as involved with my community and my children would be limited in the places they would go as well. I have not seen foreigners on ride in taxis before.  Maybe it’s because of the above picture.