The xenophobic attacks in and around Durban shook our nation and the world, undermining the idea of Ubuntu and our aspiration for an inclusive society. The Scouts in the Durban area took initiative and acted as true Messengers of Peace when they visited refugee camps in a bid to share some smiles and support.

On Saturday the 18th of April Scouts from 4th Durban Scouts visited the Isipingo refugee camp . Troop Scouter Janet Prest-Talbot said it was a memorable experience for all. “We were able to play games with the children and offer some logistical support. It also opened the eyes of our Scouts and gave them a lot to discuss and think about.”

Sigma Rover Crew Carmen Jearey. photo: Steve Camp

The following Saturday KZN Regional Commissioner Steve Camp visited another refugee camp in the area with Cubs, Scouts and Rovers from a number of Scout Groups. The Westcliffe Sports Ground in Chatsworth is home to over 1 600 refugees who have fled to this makeshift refugee camp for fear of their safety.

“We wanted to make a difference in any way we could to help these displaced people, to cheer up the children with games and by donating clothing and food that had been collected by many Scout Groups when the call for help went out,” he explains.

“While we navigated to the children’s tent at one end of the camp, we were struck by the large numbers of people waiting their turn for breakfast in four long queues. From out of the sea of faces someone shouted “Scouts, Scouts!”. We stopped to chat and discovered that the person shouting was a Scout in the DRC. He`d recognised our purple T-shirts and scarves. We chatted about how scouting influenced him as a young boy.”

Mel Welgemoed – RAC Chairperson 2015 – 58th Air Rover Crew. photo: Steve Camp

At the children’s tent the Cubs, Scouts and Rovers were greeted by a group of youngsters ranging from toddlers to 10 years old. Their mothers left early in the morning to go to work, leaving their children with the helpers in the refugee camp. “We first tidied up the area and laid down rubber mats under the shade of the open tent. Then some of the Scouts and Cubs mixed paints and started colouring with the little children. Some Rovers interacted with the smaller kids through build block towers or making jigsaw puzzles. All these are toys which were donated by the Durban community,” explains Steve.

“The older kids formed a group and we played a lot of ball games. The Rovers brought two bright orange soccer balls which were kicked around with lots of loud laughter and happy sounds of kids having fun as they ran circles around the Rovers who were clearly not soccer players!”

1st Cowies Hill Air Scout, Travis Austin. Photo: Steve Camp

“My sincere thanks to all those Cubs, Scouts and Rovers that helped out; who in my humble opinion made a positive difference in the lives of the people we met. I would also like to thank all  Scout Groups who generously donated food, medical supplies and clothing,” says Steve Camp, Regional Commissioner KZN.