Healthcare Workers for Palestine

Another day, another demonstration for Palestine. A timeline for Palesa, who was also a healthcare worker.

In 1992: she was a wiry 8-year-old girl in rags, her hair yellow and sparse from malnutrition. She woke every day expecting wonders. A glass half-full was full; she took inordinate pleasure from a pint-box of long-life milk, a single Marie Biscuit, a safe place to sleep. Her laughter was claps of thunder. When she entered a room, the lights came on. She shared what little she had; if I gave her a sandwich for school lunch, she would break it into small pieces and give everyone a piece. She loved to feed people.

In 1997: we practiced multiplication tables at the breakfast table, starting over every day, beginning again. She loved connecting with me over 6x3 and 4x5. She was on the Fetal Alcohol spectrum, but she never hesitated to try. Never gave up. Her very nature was persistence.

In 2015: Janay, a blipper in Pretoria, received a debit card I sent to her; she transferred my funds to Palesa every month for two years so Palesa could go to school and become a healthcare worker.

In 2017: Palesa completed a two-year program in practical nursing and began working in a nursing home, proudly wearing her uniform, serving others. I’m sure she kept up a steady stream of laughing conversation, started over every day. After a year on the job, she caught tuberculosis from a patient. She recovered, but her lungs were scarred.

In 2021: when vaccines became available, the doctors were vaccinated, but owing to a shortage of vaccines, the carers were not. In late June, 2021, she got Covid-19, and it moved into her scarred lungs. My last voice message from her was June 10, 2021. She was wheezing, her lungs crackling and whistling. Food riots broke out on July 8th, and in a few days people set fire to the shops in Daveyton. She sent a few panicked text messages; I answered, frantic. The smoke filled her house; she couldn't breathe. She died July 18, 2021.

Extra: Libuseng's grandchild, photo she sent me yesterday. Today I sent Libuseng the money from Miss MacIntosh, My Darling. I told her it is in Palesa's memory. It will help to clothe and care for this baby.