Dialogue in Pursuit of Development - Are you looking for one of ...

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A true dialogue
One occasion in 1991, when I was still new at my job in South Africa, comes
to my mind. Together with several other representatives from the donor
community I went up north, visiting refugee camps — Mozambicans were
fleeing from the civil war, via the Kruger Park. They did not receive legal
status in South Africa, since the government at the time did not recognise
them as refugees. The conditions in the camps were therefore extremely
difficult. I was equipped with my camera and eager to get as much information
as possible to send home to Sweden. Our group was introduced to
hundreds of refugees and formal speeches were made. I received valuable
information, but I wanted to talk to someone individually so I sat down
with a lady who looked very much older than me. I soon understood that
her life had made her face so wrinkled, her war experiences were terrible
and the flight to South Africa had been full of danger. She had lost her
husband and some of her children. She showed me a small food parcel that
she had to survive on for the coming fortnight. After some time I had to
break off, since my colleagues were waiting for me to leave for another
camp. They teased me, calling me a newcomer on the job, since I was so
eager to speak with the refugees. Before leaving, the lady asked me whether
I had been given something to drink and she said: “I don’t know your country,
but I understand it is far away. You have travelled a long distance to
come and talk with me and I am grateful. You must be very thirsty, since the
sun is so hot. Wait a moment and I will arrange something.” She turned to
her compatriots and discussed with them. After a while she took my hand
and gave me a few rand. I understood that they had made a small collection.
“Take this and buy yourself something to drink” she said and took farewell
of me.
Why then ending with this story? Well, I think it goes to the core of a true
dialogue. We met, something unexpected happened and the perspectives
changed.
References
Legal Education Action Project, LEAP, 1991, How to run a workshop, University of Cape
Town, April.
Richmond, Jeannie and Rosemary McGee, 1999, Who’s round the table? A review of civil
society participation in aid, 10/99, Web-site Christian Aid: www.christian-aid.org.
Spark, Allister, 1991, The Mind of South Africa, Mandarin Paperbacks.
World Bank, 2001, World Development Report 2000/2001, Attacking Poverty, The World
Bank, New York, Oxford University Press.