A little background from Jen Price…
When we moved to South Africa in 2007, we knew we needed a proper truck to handle the dirt roads in the communities we were going to be working in. A couple of days after landing in the country, we drove to a used car lot in the neighboring city, and there it was. The brightest blue Nissan truck you ever saw. That was the one. That “blue bakkie*,” as it affectionately became known, transported many people through the years. It was a fixture at just about every home build. It took volunteers to hand out plates at the feeding programs. It was also the vehicle we drove into Mbonisweni the first time we went there. If we didn’t stand out because of our white skin, we stood out for that bright blue bakkie. And the reception was not good. As we drove down those roads, people hurled fighting words telling us to leave and throwing beer bottles at us. The unwelcome reception made it clear. We were not wanted. Fast forward 10 years to 2017…
This story is so powerful for many reasons. The obvious one being the complete change in heart, going from wanting us to leave to totally ready to exact revenge on our behalf. But it took the blood, sweat, and tears of 10 years to get there. It took us proving that we weren’t there to change anyone. We were there to collaborate together to care for the most vulnerable in their community. It brought a trust that showed we were on the same team, partnering together toward a common goal. I’m so glad we didn’t give up on that day back in 2007.
*translated bakkie means truck in Afrikaans
let’s collaborate!
Together, we’ll build a world where families can thrive.
