Chris hopes for meaningful change

TO bring about meaningful change, one has to experience the challenges and know what is to walk in someone else’s shoes. This is true for German national, Christoph Hüttenrauch, who for more than two weeks has been living in the Briardene Informal Settlement.

The 20-year-old Hanover native is the third German to use the Briardene Youth Center (BYC) – which uses sport as a developmental tool – to bring about change in the local community. The centre is funded through the Organisation for Strategic Development (OSDA), based in Germany. Hüttenrauch has been hard at work helping build a new play area for the children of the settlement.

“I just finished school and I wanted a year to do social work. I heard about the opportunity to help out here in Briardene from an advert, and I knew a few volunteers who were based in other parts of South Africa who encouraged me to join. Since coming here, I’ve realised what a challenge the people face, especially children. It really gave me perspective; in Hanover, if I was bored, I could go watch a soccer game or go to the movies. I had choices, where the children here don’t have that.

“Getting used to living in a shack in the beginning was hard. I had no hot water and intermittent electricity. I know of other volunteers who live in Musgrave and Morningside while helping out disadvantaged communities, abut I felt that was one way to detach yourself from the situation. To bring about any change you need to experience the hardships of the people. I have to stay with the community to make a difference,” he said.

One of Hüttenrauch’s first projects is clearing a new area for a playground.

“It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s important for the children to have a place to play safely. The residents and the BYC have been great, they are always willing to help. The challenge with developing the new playground is it’s on a slope. We have had to create three or four different levels. The process is slow and it’s all by done by hand, but it’s going to be worth it.

“I’ve also started a blog for my family and friends back home so that they understand what the majority of people here in South Africa go through and the high levels of inequality,” he said.

He added the BYC’s use of sport is a perfect tool for social change.

“Sport is not enough to change their lives on its own, but alongside every opportunity to play the game they also learn how to work together and how to make decisions.

“I’ve been amazed by how warm and accepting the people of Briardene have been to a complete stranger, and I’m hoping to make a big impact on the youth at the settlement,” he said.

Visit the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Briardene Youth Center) for more information on the NGO.