Understanding of the society in which I live

This past week began with 3 days of walking door to door throughout the community. I introduced myself to each person I met and attempted to determine who resided in each home, sometimes to no avail. Additionally, we discussed what is working well in the community and what needs to be improved in the coming years to make life more fulfilling.
I mapped Wonderboom during school hours and was met mainly by women between the ages of 22 and 28 and women over sixty. In general these women said gardening, washing, and cleaning are the most enjoyable parts of life. Not a single woman I met in the community of approximately 800 had a steady income. A few sold vegetables, goats, and mats to neighbors. Other than local trading and government support there appears to be no circulation of money. Magallame Mahlare, an older woman clapped her hands and said “no money, no man, no food.” Additionally, nearly every person mentioned the issue of water. Residents must walk at least a kilometer to fetch water from the Lepelle River, often several times a day. There are broken taps all around town and without water gardening is impossible and collecting water takes up a great deal of time and energy.
The men in this village are not very visible during the days. But upon investigation I found that several work together to support each family. For instance, men worked together to make bricks, dig a grave, discuss the school, etc. Although several men seem productive there is still a great deal of alcoholism in the village.
Children in this village speak English especially well since they attend Mannyetha which uses English as the language of instruction. The boys enjoy passing time by playing soccer, catching birds, running near the river and relaxing in the shade. The girls in this village seem to help out at home. They are generally responsible for fetching water and wood from the river.
My understanding of Wonderboom’s social functioning is that women bear a majority of the workload. They rise early and stay up late to ensure the functioning of a family. Many families consist of grandmothers raising grandchildren while mothers and fathers work in Polokwane, Pretoria, or Johannesburg.