Tuesday
Day 1:
As I start to sit down and write today from my journal that my future mother-in-law gave me, I glance at the inscription that says “Do your little bits of good where you are, it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” (Desmond Tutu) Sometimes when you are in the midst of doing those “little bits” you wonder if you’re making a real tangible difference… but then you look at the children’s eyes who are the recipients of those little teeny tiny bits of good and you realize that if you are doing nothing more than giving those 1,300 children the knowledge that they are loved, special, and powerful – that is perhaps the most important thing.
Today I met Bendulo… whom I will from now on call Ben because I kept trying to unsuccessfully pronounce his name…and with whom I fell in LOVE with all capital letters at first snore and fart (he’s currently constipated). As we were delivering food (thank you Mitali/Foodom!) to our child-headed homes, we stopped at the Msibi home where I met the gorgeous baby boy (born of a very sad rape situation) and saw Nomfundo, one of our first GHFP sponsored child-headed household orphans, who is a very happy doting mother for this healthy little bundle of double chin blubber. As I grow up over 7 years of doing this, I finally realize that our kids are too. These orphans who were (in my eyes) only babies 7 years ago are now adults and their needs are so much greater. Rather than simple school supplies, books, and perhaps solar energy for studying that we’ve been providing – now they are in need of careers, serious money, and support for their future. That’s when I have to remind myself of those little bits of good…
When we delivered a new solar panel system to the Maziya family (Mazwi and Philo’s previous solar panel bit the dust), we were met with a pleasant surprise – the most amazing older brother Samkelo!! The perfect sight of him almost brought tears to my eyes. This is the young man with a 4th grade education who dropped out of school to take care of his siblings (one with a severe case of HIV/AIDS (Mazwi)) and provide everything he can for them while sacrificing himself. He is the biggest hearted and hardest working person I know. He told us he lost his job at the local mall as the overnight security man and since then food has been scarce so he is thrilled with the delivery of Foodom rice, beans, brown sugar, oil, canned fish, and baked beans. This will sustain the tiny child-headed family until he is able to (hopefully) secure another job. I cannot WAIT to see Mazwi and Philo (brother and sister) tomorrow at school when we are cooking and disseminating the GHFP/Foodom sponsored school lunch to the 634 children at eLangeni Primary School.
Then we went to our eLangeni Primary School where we will be working tomorrow as a team. As we were delivering the items to cook tomorrow’s school lunch, we were summoned into the head teacher’s office where a surprise thank you ceremony took place. They lined us up and one by one tied on a traditional Swazi wrap to thank us for the work we have done at their school over the last 7 years. I am so very thankful for the gesture but my favorite way to receive thanks was after we walked outside. The kids all ditched their classrooms (sorry teachers!) to bombard us as human jungle-gyms! One of our little ones, who recently graduated from our pre-school and who is now in Grade One, Nolwethu, grabbed my hand and leaped into my arms with the most enormous smile. Just when you think you are putting a bandaid on cancer…emptying an ocean with a thimble…you are reminded from the firm grasp of a child’s hand and the sheer excitement in their smile of those little itty bitty bits of good…
After a moment to ponder... goodbye until May 18th.
Things always become more clear after a moment to ponder... but clearer is not always easier. The moment I stepped back on American soil, I was already receiving pleas from our Swazi partners for more lancets (for HIV testing) and medical supplies, for money to build a kitchen to feed the orphans, for money to provide electrical wiring at the New Hope Primary School, for more students to enter our scholarship network, for desks and chairs for our pre-school, for a meat delivery at our elementary school, for transportation for our Malindza high schoolers, for sanitation at our eLangeni elementary school, and for a computer lab. And that was only day one! Every day the needs grow and are equally as important. At the end of the day, besides generous donors like you - it falls only on myself and Kait to try to provide all of these things. The overwhelming sense of inadequacy is unavoidable but then you take a step back to recollect on all that has been accomplished in the last 2 weeks:
1. Our Malindza New Hope Primary School is no longer a dream, rather a reality for orphaned children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to earn an education.
2. Teaching canvases were installed at our eLangeni Pre-school to enable students to learn #s 1-30.
3. Food was delivered to our school partners as well as our child-headed homes
4. Dishes and cook pots were purchased for our New Hope Primary School to offer a school lunch - which is likely the only meal these children will receive in a given day.
5. Desks and chairs were purchased for eLangeni Primary so orphaned students will no longer have to share chairs and sit at broken desks.
FridayWe'll see you again in May!!
Day 6
Due to pressure from the international community, the Swazi government has started to offer “free” primary school education. But while it costs around $250/student per year to offer decent education, the government in years past used to pay $80/student per year for grades 1-5. This year they decided (due to pressure) to add grade 6 for free but now only is able to pay $58/student per year for grades 1-6 leaving the school in even more of a deficit. As a result, at eLangeni, Grade 7B had no desks. Kids in 6A were sharing chairs. All children (as young as 5 years old) have to carry their desks and chairs from room to room (ie science to English literature) making multiple trips therefore taking away valuable class time.
The picture is intense…no chairs, broken desks, no food, teachers not getting paid…even if 40 students are in a classroom, that makes $2,400 for the YEAR for desks, chairs, teachers’ salaries, school structure upkeep, uniforms, food, and supplies (textbooks, chalk, notebooks, national exam fees, etc). This is simply impossible. The deputy teacher asked us to provide the students with new desks and chairs (US $3,087).
We then went to the preschool and taught the children the numbers (Thanks St. Charles women!) and alphabet (Thanks WinGS women!). Not unlike the US, the students got tripped up on the numbers 16 & 17 and on L-M-N-O-P…. they’ll get there though!! We then played my rendition of “spoons” with 32 pre-schoolers and all of the kids cheated!! The kids pocketed more than one “spoon” to eliminate more of their competition. Ty thought that it was genius and we should not punish the “smart” kids (cheaters!!). Our preschool teachers are volunteers and so such a remarkable job with our orphaned students!! Nelly said she volunteers for the love of the children but that love cannot pay her bills. GHFP gave her a small stipend today but we hope to increase it if donations allow in the future. (Thanks for your support!)
We then delivered food to 5 child-headed homes today (Thanks FOODOM/Mitali!!). One of the neediest families was delivered at 9pm and out of the darkness hurried an old grandmother yelling “Gogo is HAPPY!!” and “Siyabonga my children”. With all of the waste in America it breaks my heart to see the people get so ecstatic over a bag of rice and beans. I always wish we could do more…
Afterward, we took our sponsored orphaned boys out to purchase essential hygiene products, to dinner (with MEAT!), and to lick KFC soft twirls (Katy, you are jealous right now). They tried to teach us a Swazi card game called Casino but we never quite caught on…. I could have taught them a mean game of Old Maid though!! Goodbyes are hard but Kait and I are excited to see them in May!!
ThursdayLungelo is going to University! And we need your help...
Day 5
This morning Lungelo was waiting for us at our Primary School. He brought his University of Swaziland application and asked for help with the $30 fee. WE ARE SO PROUD of our little (enormously tall) boy who has been in the GHFP network for 7 years and has worked so hard in school to become one of about 9 that will make it into university from his school. We are celebrating tomorrow with a dinner in Mbabane – I cannot wait for him to become an accountant. He wants to minor in finance and use part of his salary to support future GHFP elementary and high school students!
Then, we fetched Mazwi from school and went to his house to get his medical booklet (in Swaziland there’s no such thing as electronic medical records). I asked him which tablets he was currently taking to see his adherence (whether he was actually taking the tablets). He brought out a Monday – Friday pill container but it’s Thursday and he was only on Tuesday’s pills…and inside the pills were not labeled and he had no idea what they were. I asked if he had the original bottles they came in and suddenly he bee-lined toward the 9 foot tall maize field his amazing brother Samkelo planted. As he’s kicking around in the weeds, I wondered what he was doing; then soon he uncovered the old pill containers he had discarded. We then went to a satellite clinic and joined in the queue of people waiting to be seen by the single nurse on duty (no doctors ever work there). This was after paying only 5 rands (52 cents) for our visit. The nurse prescribed 5 medications to him including a deworming pill, antibiotic, calamine lotion, allergex (allergy pill), and a pain killer – all to be taken in different amounts at different times of the day with and without food. How is this kid who disposes of pill containers in the corn field going to accomplish this?? The doctor said that the rash could be from allergies or from starting to reject his ARV/HIV medication. I am praying for the prior. They will have to test his CD4 count to uncover the cause.
We then went to drop food at the child-headed homes (thanks Mitali/FOODOM). As we were finishing and leaving the community 3 little boys came running up to the car asking for rides home and saying that they knew Mazwi. Ty said that we should take them because they were smart enough to know the key to my heart. We drove them 3 miles up the steepest hill wondering how these tiny (and one was very sick with facial lesions from AIDS) kids made this trek every day.
WednesdayGHFP's Malindza New Hope Primary School!!
Day 4
Today was our last day in Malindza until I return in May – I hate goodbyes! We paid the Mpaka school fees for Sharon, Nomalungelo, and Mpilo (we pre-paid Nothando’s last year). We were trying to rush to a meeting with the Chief’s Council at our new school site but in the meantime the whole school Morning Prayer assembly had commenced. How do you escape past 611 students singing their morning prayer unnoticed? Don’t worry – we blend in here in Swaziland... Then Sharon came running through the crowd toward us to give us a hug and wish us a safe journey home. I will be praying that Sharon keeps tolerating her ARVs and Luyanda (Nothando’s daughter) is not HIV positive.
We then visited Give Hope, Fight Poverty’s Malindza New Hope Primary School to meet our orphaned students for the very first time (the Swazi school year started mid-January and this is the first service-learning trip since then). We have 8 preschoolers (one of which was terrified of white people) and 20 primary grade one students who go to school completely for free – no uniform fees, tuition, school supply fees or lunch fees. It might have been one of the best days in my GHFP history to see the amazing 5 year olds in their new uniforms in brand new desks using brand new colorful pencils to write siSwati words seen on a brand new chalk board. Orphans here are so used to being second-class citizens rarely seeing brand new things or experiencing free high caliber education. Mr. Maseko (our village coordinator) and GHFP want to make a change for our kids, and it’s necessary that they understand it: They are loved. They are special. They are important to the future of their nation! The students now receive free school lunch (thanks Mitali/FOODOM!!) and GHFP employs two teachers, a cook, and a gardener who manages our vegetable plot that supplies nutrition to the otherwise rice & beans school lunch menu.
Miss Mahlalela (1st grade teacher) is a petite soft-spoken very smiley young adult who is just what these kids need. In her, they have not only an educator but an adorable caring mother figure who gives abundant hugs they so desperately need. I was overflowing with love today for these kids and looked them in the eyes searching for a glimpse of their futures. What will they be doing in 10 or 20 years? Making a difference, I am sure!! I pointed to one and said “What school do you go to?” and she shouted in a boisterous proud voice from a tiny little orphaned body “My name is Neliswe,I am 3 years old, I go to Malindza New Hope Preschool!!”. It felt like my heart broke into a million pieces and then was put back together stronger than ever. WE CAN DO THIS!! Thank YOU for your continued support. These kids would never have an education without you!!
We then played with the kids for hours. You could order them a command, like “JUMP” and they would do it while shouting, “I AM JUMPING” over and over until the next command. Ty loved this game!! He also loved showing the kids his muscles and having the kids show him their tiny muscles but I am only writing this because Ty is currently sleeping so he doesn’t know I’m spilling those bean! The kids are brilliant. I asked the kids to start counting and thought most would trail off around 30 which is the goal for pre-school students in Swaziland. Most were reciting all of the way to 110 when I finally stopped them because we were getting ready to leave! I could not be more thankful to everyone who has sent a donation, a warm wish or a thoughtful prayer for these kids. I couldn’t be happier to offer them a chance at an education and I cannot WAIT to see what they make of it. There could be the next Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein in our group – keep reading for the next 20 years to find out!
TuesdayThanks St Charles/Kelly Donors + pray for little Mazwi....please.
Day 3:
This morning we started out at the eLangeni community pre-school. The kids were excited to see their “teachers” and although almost half of the class graduated in December – Ty and I recognized many of them! We spent the morning playing games and hanging the beautiful numbers 1-30 canvases created at the St Charles, IL Painting for a Purpose party hosted by my future sister Kelly Rakunas (Thank you ladies of St Charles!! And Ty wants me to shout out to the 3 men – himself, Jerrid, and Gorilla)! The kids LOVED your masterpieces! Ty and I pulled a few of the kids aside and quizzed them… they were solid until about 13 so this will be an awesome teaching tool! It was exciting to see the money we gave to build the stage, chalkboard and corkboard were well used (all projects completed successfully) and the alphabet canvases painted by the WinGS women are still loved and in use (Thank you Cheryll, et al!!).
Then the girls went on safari and reported that they saw a dung beetle pushing a large animal….poopie. And a rhino charging their jeep. Unfortunately the lions were hiding in the shade but they got to see (and then eat) a wildebeest which made them happy.
We then went to Mpaka High School where we met Mpilo (our newest GHFP sponsored student for the first time) and paid all 4 of our students’ school fees. We then drove each child home and dropped food at the child-headed households (Thank you Mitali/FOODOM). Sharon’s grandmother is back with her grandfather. Apparently he is done trying to kill her in order to marry a younger woman. She thanked us for praying for her and said that she felt that was the key to their reconciliation. It makes me nervous that this will be short lived, but she looks happy and her 3 HIV positive grandkids look healthy (thanks to her extraordinary efforts – she walks or hitch hikes 10+ miles to get their ARVs to keep them alive) so I will continue to hope for their continued happiness/peace.
On our drive home after a long 12 hour day, we stopped by Mazwi and Philo’s house to drop off their food. Samkelo (older brother) was home and showed me Mazwi’s report from the hospital earlier last week. It said that he experienced a fever for 2+ weeks and had a strong failure to thrive/negative weight gain. It also said that due to his previous experience with tuberculosis, swollen face, and bloody lesions on his face that his situation was dire. I called my friend Dr. Rachel at Baylor University and asked her opinion. She said that it could be a simple allergy to anything in this world – or it could indicate his resistance to his ARV medication and since he is already on the second (and last available line of HIV drugs in Swaziland) that it could mean an emergent and serious situation for him. She urged us to rush him to Baylor – which we will do on Thursday. Please pray for his healing and happiness. Tonight we saw him studying by candlelight with his tiny face covered in hydrocortisone cream asking to be taken back to the hospital so he can feel good again.
MondayCooking for 630 is no easy task...but Hannah is a pro!
Day 2.5
Last night at 4am I thought I heard mice or other creatures rummaging around in our living room. But it turned out that it was just Lacy and Hannah having a cheese sandwich party – they couldn’t sleep! So, naturally I joined them as who can pass up a cheese sandwich at 4am? But, I knew this was going to mean a LONG day today. We started the day at 7am and were finally done at 6pm, aka right now. The girls and Ty are all sleeping soundly already as I write this blog.
We started the day with a tour of one of my favorite places in Swaziland, Baylor Pediatric HIV clinic (Thank you Dr. Rachel!!) where I worked when I lived here in Swaziland many years ago. They recently received a World Health Organization grant to build a large tuberculosis clinic. In Swaziland 80% of HIV positive victims have – or have had – TB in their lifetime and it has manipulated into very dangerous multi & extreme drug resistant forms. But now they no longer have to send samples out to be tested, they can do it in house and can even determine ahead of time whether a patient has a resistant strain thereby foregoing wasting precious drugs and patients’ sometimes limited lives. Just last month Dr. Rachel said there were 2 TB drugs and 7 HIV drugs that were experiencing shortages throughout the country! In the meantime patients go without and typically end up developing resistance. A huge problem not uncommon in Africa.
I almost wept for joy before I knew it was too good to be true. Swaziland was able to apply for a 3rd line of ARVs. Right now when a patient like Mazwi has been on ARVs since birth, they usually have 5-8 years per line for the first two lines before they become resistant. This depends a lot on adherence (how well they take the drugs on time every day) and other biological factors like presence of opportunistic infections. If Mazwi were to become resistant to the 2nd line drug he is taking now, he’d simply die. Although there are over 23 other drugs in the states that could save him, in Swaziland he would eventually succumb to some infection - or even the common flu - and his immune system would perish. Dr Rachel told us today that they are able to apply to an outside organization for a 3rd line treatment for patients. I almost passed out with relief thinking Mazwi could have another 5-8 years, until I heard her say that only 1 Swazi patient has survived long enough to actually get it. The process of receiving it is quite long. The patients have to prove they are resistant to the other lines and that they will tolerate the new drug well. This process takes 3-4 months and in the meantime, the positive child, without treatment and already failing from resisting the other drugs is most likely to die. Dr Rachel said she’s seen it quite often but is hopeful that eventually 3rd line drugs will become readily available to Swaziland without this lengthy process.
Today we delivered, cooked, and served food to 630 eLangeni Primary school students (Thanks Mitali/FOODOM!). Monday school lunches are hard for me to witness. The kids are eager, wide-eyed, and often cruel pushing the smaller students out of line in front of them to get to the lunch faster. It’s an ugly experience when these kids who are typically the nicest and caring in the world become mean. But then you realize it’s because they haven’t eaten since school lunch on Friday and you realize that for some of them, this small amount of rice and beans is seen as the crucial bridge to energetic life from their long foodless weekend of walking dead. Once everyone was served, they seemed to immediately return to the loving, giving, amazing children I know them as. What a difference a little rice and beans make!!
Next Sizo our songbird took the girls on a tour of our eLangeni Secondary School while Ty and I delivered food to Mduduzi and Mbhami – our newest sponsored orphans (Thanks Mitali!). These are OVCs who were homeless but very talented in school!! Our highschool head teacher Edward found them, took them under his wing, gave them a place to sleep at the school and asked our assistance to help with their school fees. These kids are absolutely incredible. They sleep together on a classroom floor without complaint as they said they have electricity to study at night. I asked the boys if they needed anything else and the younger one replied that he would like some colored pencils or paints as he loves art (Kait, I cannot wait for you to meet him in May – he’s so great!).
Tomorrow is another long day starting early in the morning. We’ll be spending the day in Malindza with our 3 highschool girls and our one new Malindza Village boy. I haven’t met the boy, Mpilo, yet and I cannot wait to do so! His parents died a few years ago and since then he’s been a dropout because he’s had no one to pay for his fees. He is finishing high school this year thanks to GHFP donors and was so excited to return for his final year. I look at these kids and marvel at how resilient they are. None are bitter. I’ve never heard “why me?”. They are simply kids working hard to make their footprint in this world. And in the meantime they have left indelible footprints on my heart.
Sunday
Day 1.5
Last night we arrived safely to Swaziland and our journey was surprisingly uneventful. We got a brand new Toyota Furtuner (against my wishes as off-roading in Swaziland is going to turn this thing into beauty in no time) and we drove to Swaziland without mishap.
This morning we woke up to go to Nomfundo, Timmy, Mazwi, and Mphilo’s church service in eLangeni. It’s always alarming how welcoming Swazis are to visitors. This morning the pastor announced that there were “perhaps” people visiting the church for the first (group of volunteers) or second (me) time and “if there were such visitors” they should stand up. As the only white people in the room in flip flops and fanny packs (only half of that is a fib), we felt the need to rise as there was no blending in to this eLangeni Village community crowd. Instantly the music started and a single file line of grannies, mothers, and children formed to greet us and welcome us to their church. I received more hugs this morning than I did in my previous 30 years combined. Afterward we took the team of Give Hope, Fight Poverty orphans to Mbabane for lunch and shopping for toiletries.
It never fails that an extra orphan gets jumbled into the bunch. Nomfundo asks if her sister from another mother can join us. Of course I say yes. Then as the young kids are scarfing down their huge plate of rice, chicken, and beef tips (probably the first sight of meat since our previous trip to Swaziland) Nomfundo paints a picture she knows I cannot refuse. Zinhle is a young orphan who shares a deceased father with Nomfundo. She had been living with her maternal grandmother after her mother died in a village with no school so Nomfundo offered to take her under her wing, allow her to move in with her in eLangeni, and go to school at our amazing secondary school. But she needs help. And I cannot say no. Sorry Kait – add one more to our ever growing roster of sponsored orphans. Zinhle is in Form 1 at eLangeni Primary and is as sweet as can be.
After the girls bought soap, sanitary pads, deodorant, and toothpaste at Clicks Pharmacy we drove back to the Msibis for a dance-off sing-off competition. Who knew that one of our volunteers, Lacy, had a wild card in her back-pocket. All of a sudden during some “down time” she got up and choreographed an entire Celtic dancing routine for the orphans!
This is the very first trip in seven years that has started off running. No major glitches and only smiles from our volunteers. It’s always interesting to see the US volunteers recognize various things as you hear them say things like “people actually LIVE there?” or “all four of those sisters sleep in the same bed?” I love exposing people to the situation in Swaziland as it is dire but everyone can help. Even a smile, hug, or Celtic dance lesson helps these kiddos so immensely. And kids like poor Mazwi need it. He is quite ill with his face entirely swollen and covered in bloody sores. More tomorrow as we venture deeper into the school of eLangeni. Thanks for your time and support!!
SaturdayJan 4th, you wont hear from me again until the next Swazi trip in March...
Day 8: Rural and extremely impoverished Malindza days are always full of ups and downs
Today was Malindza community day. We woke up early to drive across the country to this remote extremely impoverished village where we (Give Hope, Fight Poverty: www.ifightpoverty.org) are building a free school for HIV orphans. I still have to pinch myself that this dream is becoming a reality. Our community liaison commented today, and I quote, “When I first learned that you agreed to build the orphans of my community their first school, I nearly ran through the night nude in joy.” – so apparently he shares the same astonishment. Sube Latchman Singh donated the first grant then my Aunt Barb donated for the next classroom and since then, the Efroymson Family Foundation, Power of One Foundation, and Christ Church Cathedral women have followed suit. I always wish it was these people/groups that were here to receive the accolades.
Then we had a meeting with the village. I announced to the community that this school would be entirely free for orphans, and they all cheered and screamed a million hallelujahs! Then Maseko asked Kailey to say something. She stood up and said that she was so happy to be welcomed to the community and that it was her first time in Swaziland but she was already in love with the country and the children. About 30 words, tops. Then Maseko translated and spoke for about 10 minutes ending with the community erupting in cheers again. I am sure we will never know what was said on Kailey’s behalf but now she is a huge hit in Malindza.
One of the grandmothers replied that she is raising her granddaughter and realizes that she is the future of her village (and country) but before our school, she was certain her granddaughter would remain uneducated like herself. Another gogo (grandmother) started crying and said she is raising 7 orphaned children (some not even her own grandchildren) and how she was afraid to die not knowing what would become of them, but now she knows they have a place (and free education) at Malindza New Hope Primary School. It’s amazing to see how when we Americans give a little, it is truly life (and future) changing for the orphaned children here.
Today we were gifted more land from the Chief to be used to grow food for our orphaned students at New Hope. We were able to purchase fencing, seed, and fertilizer for the vegetable garden and tanks, gutters, and drainage piping for our rain catchment system thanks to a generous FOODOM donation. Soon the orphans will be eating lavishly (as they did today) which will most likely be their only meal of the day.
As we are starting to pack for our LONG journey back to the US, I want to spread thanks to all of those who have given us your time, donations (both material and financial), and support over the years. When Lungelo and I were driving to town the other day, he looked at me and said, “I remember when I first saw you many years ago and realized that from that point on, my life would be different and I grew hope for my future.” Mine also changed on that same day. I now spend every waking moment of my life worrying about and loving these children. As the number of children in our cohort grows, so does my endless worrying and the insurmountable needs of our organization. We could not do any of this without you. The words “thank you” simply aren’t enough. You’ve saved lives, fought poverty/AIDS and given hope to orphaned children who are the change agents for a brighter future.
Day 7: We are all leaves from one tree…
Yesterday my friend Alex took us mountain hiking to see Mbabane city from above. I warned the girls not to wear flip flops but told them it was an easy hike and they’d love the view. Alex took us to the same mountain I’ve been on before but a MUCH different path…this one was STRAIGHT UP! We lost two girls on the way up due to falling and refusing to trek higher. On the way down, I was the mama duck with my ducklings waddling directly in my footsteps. I kept praying that no one would fall because if they did, I would go down with them, domino style. We had two slip…including Kailey who slid for at least 15 feet while looking like she was surfing but laughing the entire time. When we made it back to the car Amber said she was never mountain climbing again and Makinzie asked if her fall tore a hole in her yoga pants. I think over all, our hiking expedition was a huge success.
Weeding. This is a chore. Two of the puniest girls (Stephanie and myself) offered to help Philo and Mazwi weed their maize field with their broken hoe while they bathed and got ready for their trip to the city to see the movie. I immediately regretted my offer as I was afraid I would accidentally upchuck one of their beautiful little maize plants…and butt sweat was drenching through my slacks. But on a positive note, Stephanie and I felt very productive on an early Saturday morning. When we were done (who knows how successful we really were as our 20 minutes of weeding made very little progress on their huge garden), we saw our donated jump ropes tied to the top of their covered “kitchen” area. It’s funny how we think we’re donating a toy and they turn it into a useful tool – a clothing line to dry their freshly washed clothes!
Today we took half of the sponsored orphans to see a cartoon movie called “Epic”. I loved it!! The movie had an “Ubuntu” theme as they said that we are all leaves growing from the same tree – or “I am because we are”. AND I just so happened to be seated in front of little Mazwi who exclaimed “yeah yeah yeah!! Ohhhh!! Ahhhh!! Ohh noooo!” throughout the whole movie. On the way home in the rural village I plopped Mazwi on my lap and let him drive us home. I cannot get enough of that boy’s giggles and smiles. I love watching him grow up and I pray to God that his HIV medication will carry him through to an old age that beats my own.
I usually love the movie days – pizza and movies always make goodbyes easier. And it’s only a see-you-later until March. But today I went home with a heavy heart. Two of my girls are pregnant. One was from a rape and the other was a sugar-daddy/coercive older boyfriend situation. Both girls are terrified of what the future will bring for them (now “damaged” goods) and their babies (being born of unemployed hungry single mothers). Both girls asked me to take their babies back to the US when they are born. Both girls only wish this because they want to give their children a life better than their own – orphaned, HIV-+, unemployed, and uncertain of what their future holds. Sometimes it feels as though, in the grand scheme of things, our GHFP kids are only statistics: “120,000 HIV orphans in Swaziland”. But these kids are human beings – AMAZING children with passions and dreams and endless love. I wish to make them infamous. I wish to tell their stories to anyone who will listen. I wish for people to remember Mazwi not as the poor orphan with HIV but as the hilarious, rambunctious, courageous, hardworking, and sweet sweet sweet boy that he is. Thank you for reading and spreading the word… YOU are helping make them live beyond a statistic.
Day 1:
As I start to sit down and write today from my journal that my future mother-in-law gave me, I glance at the inscription that says “Do your little bits of good where you are, it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” (Desmond Tutu) Sometimes when you are in the midst of doing those “little bits” you wonder if you’re making a real tangible difference… but then you look at the children’s eyes who are the recipients of those little teeny tiny bits of good and you realize that if you are doing nothing more than giving those 1,300 children the knowledge that they are loved, special, and powerful – that is perhaps the most important thing.
Today I met Bendulo… whom I will from now on call Ben because I kept trying to unsuccessfully pronounce his name…and with whom I fell in LOVE with all capital letters at first snore and fart (he’s currently constipated). As we were delivering food (thank you Mitali/Foodom!) to our child-headed homes, we stopped at the Msibi home where I met the gorgeous baby boy (born of a very sad rape situation) and saw Nomfundo, one of our first GHFP sponsored child-headed household orphans, who is a very happy doting mother for this healthy little bundle of double chin blubber. As I grow up over 7 years of doing this, I finally realize that our kids are too. These orphans who were (in my eyes) only babies 7 years ago are now adults and their needs are so much greater. Rather than simple school supplies, books, and perhaps solar energy for studying that we’ve been providing – now they are in need of careers, serious money, and support for their future. That’s when I have to remind myself of those little bits of good…
When we delivered a new solar panel system to the Maziya family (Mazwi and Philo’s previous solar panel bit the dust), we were met with a pleasant surprise – the most amazing older brother Samkelo!! The perfect sight of him almost brought tears to my eyes. This is the young man with a 4th grade education who dropped out of school to take care of his siblings (one with a severe case of HIV/AIDS (Mazwi)) and provide everything he can for them while sacrificing himself. He is the biggest hearted and hardest working person I know. He told us he lost his job at the local mall as the overnight security man and since then food has been scarce so he is thrilled with the delivery of Foodom rice, beans, brown sugar, oil, canned fish, and baked beans. This will sustain the tiny child-headed family until he is able to (hopefully) secure another job. I cannot WAIT to see Mazwi and Philo (brother and sister) tomorrow at school when we are cooking and disseminating the GHFP/Foodom sponsored school lunch to the 634 children at eLangeni Primary School.
Then we went to our eLangeni Primary School where we will be working tomorrow as a team. As we were delivering the items to cook tomorrow’s school lunch, we were summoned into the head teacher’s office where a surprise thank you ceremony took place. They lined us up and one by one tied on a traditional Swazi wrap to thank us for the work we have done at their school over the last 7 years. I am so very thankful for the gesture but my favorite way to receive thanks was after we walked outside. The kids all ditched their classrooms (sorry teachers!) to bombard us as human jungle-gyms! One of our little ones, who recently graduated from our pre-school and who is now in Grade One, Nolwethu, grabbed my hand and leaped into my arms with the most enormous smile. Just when you think you are putting a bandaid on cancer…emptying an ocean with a thimble…you are reminded from the firm grasp of a child’s hand and the sheer excitement in their smile of those little itty bitty bits of good…
After a moment to ponder... goodbye until May 18th.
Things always become more clear after a moment to ponder... but clearer is not always easier. The moment I stepped back on American soil, I was already receiving pleas from our Swazi partners for more lancets (for HIV testing) and medical supplies, for money to build a kitchen to feed the orphans, for money to provide electrical wiring at the New Hope Primary School, for more students to enter our scholarship network, for desks and chairs for our pre-school, for a meat delivery at our elementary school, for transportation for our Malindza high schoolers, for sanitation at our eLangeni elementary school, and for a computer lab. And that was only day one! Every day the needs grow and are equally as important. At the end of the day, besides generous donors like you - it falls only on myself and Kait to try to provide all of these things. The overwhelming sense of inadequacy is unavoidable but then you take a step back to recollect on all that has been accomplished in the last 2 weeks:
1. Our Malindza New Hope Primary School is no longer a dream, rather a reality for orphaned children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to earn an education.
2. Teaching canvases were installed at our eLangeni Pre-school to enable students to learn #s 1-30.
3. Food was delivered to our school partners as well as our child-headed homes
4. Dishes and cook pots were purchased for our New Hope Primary School to offer a school lunch - which is likely the only meal these children will receive in a given day.
5. Desks and chairs were purchased for eLangeni Primary so orphaned students will no longer have to share chairs and sit at broken desks.
FridayWe'll see you again in May!!
Day 6
Due to pressure from the international community, the Swazi government has started to offer “free” primary school education. But while it costs around $250/student per year to offer decent education, the government in years past used to pay $80/student per year for grades 1-5. This year they decided (due to pressure) to add grade 6 for free but now only is able to pay $58/student per year for grades 1-6 leaving the school in even more of a deficit. As a result, at eLangeni, Grade 7B had no desks. Kids in 6A were sharing chairs. All children (as young as 5 years old) have to carry their desks and chairs from room to room (ie science to English literature) making multiple trips therefore taking away valuable class time.
The picture is intense…no chairs, broken desks, no food, teachers not getting paid…even if 40 students are in a classroom, that makes $2,400 for the YEAR for desks, chairs, teachers’ salaries, school structure upkeep, uniforms, food, and supplies (textbooks, chalk, notebooks, national exam fees, etc). This is simply impossible. The deputy teacher asked us to provide the students with new desks and chairs (US $3,087).
We then went to the preschool and taught the children the numbers (Thanks St. Charles women!) and alphabet (Thanks WinGS women!). Not unlike the US, the students got tripped up on the numbers 16 & 17 and on L-M-N-O-P…. they’ll get there though!! We then played my rendition of “spoons” with 32 pre-schoolers and all of the kids cheated!! The kids pocketed more than one “spoon” to eliminate more of their competition. Ty thought that it was genius and we should not punish the “smart” kids (cheaters!!). Our preschool teachers are volunteers and so such a remarkable job with our orphaned students!! Nelly said she volunteers for the love of the children but that love cannot pay her bills. GHFP gave her a small stipend today but we hope to increase it if donations allow in the future. (Thanks for your support!)
We then delivered food to 5 child-headed homes today (Thanks FOODOM/Mitali!!). One of the neediest families was delivered at 9pm and out of the darkness hurried an old grandmother yelling “Gogo is HAPPY!!” and “Siyabonga my children”. With all of the waste in America it breaks my heart to see the people get so ecstatic over a bag of rice and beans. I always wish we could do more…
Afterward, we took our sponsored orphaned boys out to purchase essential hygiene products, to dinner (with MEAT!), and to lick KFC soft twirls (Katy, you are jealous right now). They tried to teach us a Swazi card game called Casino but we never quite caught on…. I could have taught them a mean game of Old Maid though!! Goodbyes are hard but Kait and I are excited to see them in May!!
ThursdayLungelo is going to University! And we need your help...
Day 5
This morning Lungelo was waiting for us at our Primary School. He brought his University of Swaziland application and asked for help with the $30 fee. WE ARE SO PROUD of our little (enormously tall) boy who has been in the GHFP network for 7 years and has worked so hard in school to become one of about 9 that will make it into university from his school. We are celebrating tomorrow with a dinner in Mbabane – I cannot wait for him to become an accountant. He wants to minor in finance and use part of his salary to support future GHFP elementary and high school students!
Then, we fetched Mazwi from school and went to his house to get his medical booklet (in Swaziland there’s no such thing as electronic medical records). I asked him which tablets he was currently taking to see his adherence (whether he was actually taking the tablets). He brought out a Monday – Friday pill container but it’s Thursday and he was only on Tuesday’s pills…and inside the pills were not labeled and he had no idea what they were. I asked if he had the original bottles they came in and suddenly he bee-lined toward the 9 foot tall maize field his amazing brother Samkelo planted. As he’s kicking around in the weeds, I wondered what he was doing; then soon he uncovered the old pill containers he had discarded. We then went to a satellite clinic and joined in the queue of people waiting to be seen by the single nurse on duty (no doctors ever work there). This was after paying only 5 rands (52 cents) for our visit. The nurse prescribed 5 medications to him including a deworming pill, antibiotic, calamine lotion, allergex (allergy pill), and a pain killer – all to be taken in different amounts at different times of the day with and without food. How is this kid who disposes of pill containers in the corn field going to accomplish this?? The doctor said that the rash could be from allergies or from starting to reject his ARV/HIV medication. I am praying for the prior. They will have to test his CD4 count to uncover the cause.
We then went to drop food at the child-headed homes (thanks Mitali/FOODOM). As we were finishing and leaving the community 3 little boys came running up to the car asking for rides home and saying that they knew Mazwi. Ty said that we should take them because they were smart enough to know the key to my heart. We drove them 3 miles up the steepest hill wondering how these tiny (and one was very sick with facial lesions from AIDS) kids made this trek every day.
WednesdayGHFP's Malindza New Hope Primary School!!
Day 4
Today was our last day in Malindza until I return in May – I hate goodbyes! We paid the Mpaka school fees for Sharon, Nomalungelo, and Mpilo (we pre-paid Nothando’s last year). We were trying to rush to a meeting with the Chief’s Council at our new school site but in the meantime the whole school Morning Prayer assembly had commenced. How do you escape past 611 students singing their morning prayer unnoticed? Don’t worry – we blend in here in Swaziland... Then Sharon came running through the crowd toward us to give us a hug and wish us a safe journey home. I will be praying that Sharon keeps tolerating her ARVs and Luyanda (Nothando’s daughter) is not HIV positive.
We then visited Give Hope, Fight Poverty’s Malindza New Hope Primary School to meet our orphaned students for the very first time (the Swazi school year started mid-January and this is the first service-learning trip since then). We have 8 preschoolers (one of which was terrified of white people) and 20 primary grade one students who go to school completely for free – no uniform fees, tuition, school supply fees or lunch fees. It might have been one of the best days in my GHFP history to see the amazing 5 year olds in their new uniforms in brand new desks using brand new colorful pencils to write siSwati words seen on a brand new chalk board. Orphans here are so used to being second-class citizens rarely seeing brand new things or experiencing free high caliber education. Mr. Maseko (our village coordinator) and GHFP want to make a change for our kids, and it’s necessary that they understand it: They are loved. They are special. They are important to the future of their nation! The students now receive free school lunch (thanks Mitali/FOODOM!!) and GHFP employs two teachers, a cook, and a gardener who manages our vegetable plot that supplies nutrition to the otherwise rice & beans school lunch menu.
Miss Mahlalela (1st grade teacher) is a petite soft-spoken very smiley young adult who is just what these kids need. In her, they have not only an educator but an adorable caring mother figure who gives abundant hugs they so desperately need. I was overflowing with love today for these kids and looked them in the eyes searching for a glimpse of their futures. What will they be doing in 10 or 20 years? Making a difference, I am sure!! I pointed to one and said “What school do you go to?” and she shouted in a boisterous proud voice from a tiny little orphaned body “My name is Neliswe,I am 3 years old, I go to Malindza New Hope Preschool!!”. It felt like my heart broke into a million pieces and then was put back together stronger than ever. WE CAN DO THIS!! Thank YOU for your continued support. These kids would never have an education without you!!
We then played with the kids for hours. You could order them a command, like “JUMP” and they would do it while shouting, “I AM JUMPING” over and over until the next command. Ty loved this game!! He also loved showing the kids his muscles and having the kids show him their tiny muscles but I am only writing this because Ty is currently sleeping so he doesn’t know I’m spilling those bean! The kids are brilliant. I asked the kids to start counting and thought most would trail off around 30 which is the goal for pre-school students in Swaziland. Most were reciting all of the way to 110 when I finally stopped them because we were getting ready to leave! I could not be more thankful to everyone who has sent a donation, a warm wish or a thoughtful prayer for these kids. I couldn’t be happier to offer them a chance at an education and I cannot WAIT to see what they make of it. There could be the next Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein in our group – keep reading for the next 20 years to find out!
TuesdayThanks St Charles/Kelly Donors + pray for little Mazwi....please.
Day 3:
This morning we started out at the eLangeni community pre-school. The kids were excited to see their “teachers” and although almost half of the class graduated in December – Ty and I recognized many of them! We spent the morning playing games and hanging the beautiful numbers 1-30 canvases created at the St Charles, IL Painting for a Purpose party hosted by my future sister Kelly Rakunas (Thank you ladies of St Charles!! And Ty wants me to shout out to the 3 men – himself, Jerrid, and Gorilla)! The kids LOVED your masterpieces! Ty and I pulled a few of the kids aside and quizzed them… they were solid until about 13 so this will be an awesome teaching tool! It was exciting to see the money we gave to build the stage, chalkboard and corkboard were well used (all projects completed successfully) and the alphabet canvases painted by the WinGS women are still loved and in use (Thank you Cheryll, et al!!).
Then the girls went on safari and reported that they saw a dung beetle pushing a large animal….poopie. And a rhino charging their jeep. Unfortunately the lions were hiding in the shade but they got to see (and then eat) a wildebeest which made them happy.
We then went to Mpaka High School where we met Mpilo (our newest GHFP sponsored student for the first time) and paid all 4 of our students’ school fees. We then drove each child home and dropped food at the child-headed households (Thank you Mitali/FOODOM). Sharon’s grandmother is back with her grandfather. Apparently he is done trying to kill her in order to marry a younger woman. She thanked us for praying for her and said that she felt that was the key to their reconciliation. It makes me nervous that this will be short lived, but she looks happy and her 3 HIV positive grandkids look healthy (thanks to her extraordinary efforts – she walks or hitch hikes 10+ miles to get their ARVs to keep them alive) so I will continue to hope for their continued happiness/peace.
On our drive home after a long 12 hour day, we stopped by Mazwi and Philo’s house to drop off their food. Samkelo (older brother) was home and showed me Mazwi’s report from the hospital earlier last week. It said that he experienced a fever for 2+ weeks and had a strong failure to thrive/negative weight gain. It also said that due to his previous experience with tuberculosis, swollen face, and bloody lesions on his face that his situation was dire. I called my friend Dr. Rachel at Baylor University and asked her opinion. She said that it could be a simple allergy to anything in this world – or it could indicate his resistance to his ARV medication and since he is already on the second (and last available line of HIV drugs in Swaziland) that it could mean an emergent and serious situation for him. She urged us to rush him to Baylor – which we will do on Thursday. Please pray for his healing and happiness. Tonight we saw him studying by candlelight with his tiny face covered in hydrocortisone cream asking to be taken back to the hospital so he can feel good again.
MondayCooking for 630 is no easy task...but Hannah is a pro!
Day 2.5
Last night at 4am I thought I heard mice or other creatures rummaging around in our living room. But it turned out that it was just Lacy and Hannah having a cheese sandwich party – they couldn’t sleep! So, naturally I joined them as who can pass up a cheese sandwich at 4am? But, I knew this was going to mean a LONG day today. We started the day at 7am and were finally done at 6pm, aka right now. The girls and Ty are all sleeping soundly already as I write this blog.
We started the day with a tour of one of my favorite places in Swaziland, Baylor Pediatric HIV clinic (Thank you Dr. Rachel!!) where I worked when I lived here in Swaziland many years ago. They recently received a World Health Organization grant to build a large tuberculosis clinic. In Swaziland 80% of HIV positive victims have – or have had – TB in their lifetime and it has manipulated into very dangerous multi & extreme drug resistant forms. But now they no longer have to send samples out to be tested, they can do it in house and can even determine ahead of time whether a patient has a resistant strain thereby foregoing wasting precious drugs and patients’ sometimes limited lives. Just last month Dr. Rachel said there were 2 TB drugs and 7 HIV drugs that were experiencing shortages throughout the country! In the meantime patients go without and typically end up developing resistance. A huge problem not uncommon in Africa.
I almost wept for joy before I knew it was too good to be true. Swaziland was able to apply for a 3rd line of ARVs. Right now when a patient like Mazwi has been on ARVs since birth, they usually have 5-8 years per line for the first two lines before they become resistant. This depends a lot on adherence (how well they take the drugs on time every day) and other biological factors like presence of opportunistic infections. If Mazwi were to become resistant to the 2nd line drug he is taking now, he’d simply die. Although there are over 23 other drugs in the states that could save him, in Swaziland he would eventually succumb to some infection - or even the common flu - and his immune system would perish. Dr Rachel told us today that they are able to apply to an outside organization for a 3rd line treatment for patients. I almost passed out with relief thinking Mazwi could have another 5-8 years, until I heard her say that only 1 Swazi patient has survived long enough to actually get it. The process of receiving it is quite long. The patients have to prove they are resistant to the other lines and that they will tolerate the new drug well. This process takes 3-4 months and in the meantime, the positive child, without treatment and already failing from resisting the other drugs is most likely to die. Dr Rachel said she’s seen it quite often but is hopeful that eventually 3rd line drugs will become readily available to Swaziland without this lengthy process.
Today we delivered, cooked, and served food to 630 eLangeni Primary school students (Thanks Mitali/FOODOM!). Monday school lunches are hard for me to witness. The kids are eager, wide-eyed, and often cruel pushing the smaller students out of line in front of them to get to the lunch faster. It’s an ugly experience when these kids who are typically the nicest and caring in the world become mean. But then you realize it’s because they haven’t eaten since school lunch on Friday and you realize that for some of them, this small amount of rice and beans is seen as the crucial bridge to energetic life from their long foodless weekend of walking dead. Once everyone was served, they seemed to immediately return to the loving, giving, amazing children I know them as. What a difference a little rice and beans make!!
Next Sizo our songbird took the girls on a tour of our eLangeni Secondary School while Ty and I delivered food to Mduduzi and Mbhami – our newest sponsored orphans (Thanks Mitali!). These are OVCs who were homeless but very talented in school!! Our highschool head teacher Edward found them, took them under his wing, gave them a place to sleep at the school and asked our assistance to help with their school fees. These kids are absolutely incredible. They sleep together on a classroom floor without complaint as they said they have electricity to study at night. I asked the boys if they needed anything else and the younger one replied that he would like some colored pencils or paints as he loves art (Kait, I cannot wait for you to meet him in May – he’s so great!).
Tomorrow is another long day starting early in the morning. We’ll be spending the day in Malindza with our 3 highschool girls and our one new Malindza Village boy. I haven’t met the boy, Mpilo, yet and I cannot wait to do so! His parents died a few years ago and since then he’s been a dropout because he’s had no one to pay for his fees. He is finishing high school this year thanks to GHFP donors and was so excited to return for his final year. I look at these kids and marvel at how resilient they are. None are bitter. I’ve never heard “why me?”. They are simply kids working hard to make their footprint in this world. And in the meantime they have left indelible footprints on my heart.
Sunday
Day 1.5
Last night we arrived safely to Swaziland and our journey was surprisingly uneventful. We got a brand new Toyota Furtuner (against my wishes as off-roading in Swaziland is going to turn this thing into beauty in no time) and we drove to Swaziland without mishap.
This morning we woke up to go to Nomfundo, Timmy, Mazwi, and Mphilo’s church service in eLangeni. It’s always alarming how welcoming Swazis are to visitors. This morning the pastor announced that there were “perhaps” people visiting the church for the first (group of volunteers) or second (me) time and “if there were such visitors” they should stand up. As the only white people in the room in flip flops and fanny packs (only half of that is a fib), we felt the need to rise as there was no blending in to this eLangeni Village community crowd. Instantly the music started and a single file line of grannies, mothers, and children formed to greet us and welcome us to their church. I received more hugs this morning than I did in my previous 30 years combined. Afterward we took the team of Give Hope, Fight Poverty orphans to Mbabane for lunch and shopping for toiletries.
It never fails that an extra orphan gets jumbled into the bunch. Nomfundo asks if her sister from another mother can join us. Of course I say yes. Then as the young kids are scarfing down their huge plate of rice, chicken, and beef tips (probably the first sight of meat since our previous trip to Swaziland) Nomfundo paints a picture she knows I cannot refuse. Zinhle is a young orphan who shares a deceased father with Nomfundo. She had been living with her maternal grandmother after her mother died in a village with no school so Nomfundo offered to take her under her wing, allow her to move in with her in eLangeni, and go to school at our amazing secondary school. But she needs help. And I cannot say no. Sorry Kait – add one more to our ever growing roster of sponsored orphans. Zinhle is in Form 1 at eLangeni Primary and is as sweet as can be.
After the girls bought soap, sanitary pads, deodorant, and toothpaste at Clicks Pharmacy we drove back to the Msibis for a dance-off sing-off competition. Who knew that one of our volunteers, Lacy, had a wild card in her back-pocket. All of a sudden during some “down time” she got up and choreographed an entire Celtic dancing routine for the orphans!
This is the very first trip in seven years that has started off running. No major glitches and only smiles from our volunteers. It’s always interesting to see the US volunteers recognize various things as you hear them say things like “people actually LIVE there?” or “all four of those sisters sleep in the same bed?” I love exposing people to the situation in Swaziland as it is dire but everyone can help. Even a smile, hug, or Celtic dance lesson helps these kiddos so immensely. And kids like poor Mazwi need it. He is quite ill with his face entirely swollen and covered in bloody sores. More tomorrow as we venture deeper into the school of eLangeni. Thanks for your time and support!!
SaturdayJan 4th, you wont hear from me again until the next Swazi trip in March...
Day 8: Rural and extremely impoverished Malindza days are always full of ups and downs
Today was Malindza community day. We woke up early to drive across the country to this remote extremely impoverished village where we (Give Hope, Fight Poverty: www.ifightpoverty.org) are building a free school for HIV orphans. I still have to pinch myself that this dream is becoming a reality. Our community liaison commented today, and I quote, “When I first learned that you agreed to build the orphans of my community their first school, I nearly ran through the night nude in joy.” – so apparently he shares the same astonishment. Sube Latchman Singh donated the first grant then my Aunt Barb donated for the next classroom and since then, the Efroymson Family Foundation, Power of One Foundation, and Christ Church Cathedral women have followed suit. I always wish it was these people/groups that were here to receive the accolades.
Then we had a meeting with the village. I announced to the community that this school would be entirely free for orphans, and they all cheered and screamed a million hallelujahs! Then Maseko asked Kailey to say something. She stood up and said that she was so happy to be welcomed to the community and that it was her first time in Swaziland but she was already in love with the country and the children. About 30 words, tops. Then Maseko translated and spoke for about 10 minutes ending with the community erupting in cheers again. I am sure we will never know what was said on Kailey’s behalf but now she is a huge hit in Malindza.
One of the grandmothers replied that she is raising her granddaughter and realizes that she is the future of her village (and country) but before our school, she was certain her granddaughter would remain uneducated like herself. Another gogo (grandmother) started crying and said she is raising 7 orphaned children (some not even her own grandchildren) and how she was afraid to die not knowing what would become of them, but now she knows they have a place (and free education) at Malindza New Hope Primary School. It’s amazing to see how when we Americans give a little, it is truly life (and future) changing for the orphaned children here.
Today we were gifted more land from the Chief to be used to grow food for our orphaned students at New Hope. We were able to purchase fencing, seed, and fertilizer for the vegetable garden and tanks, gutters, and drainage piping for our rain catchment system thanks to a generous FOODOM donation. Soon the orphans will be eating lavishly (as they did today) which will most likely be their only meal of the day.
As we are starting to pack for our LONG journey back to the US, I want to spread thanks to all of those who have given us your time, donations (both material and financial), and support over the years. When Lungelo and I were driving to town the other day, he looked at me and said, “I remember when I first saw you many years ago and realized that from that point on, my life would be different and I grew hope for my future.” Mine also changed on that same day. I now spend every waking moment of my life worrying about and loving these children. As the number of children in our cohort grows, so does my endless worrying and the insurmountable needs of our organization. We could not do any of this without you. The words “thank you” simply aren’t enough. You’ve saved lives, fought poverty/AIDS and given hope to orphaned children who are the change agents for a brighter future.
Day 7: We are all leaves from one tree…
Yesterday my friend Alex took us mountain hiking to see Mbabane city from above. I warned the girls not to wear flip flops but told them it was an easy hike and they’d love the view. Alex took us to the same mountain I’ve been on before but a MUCH different path…this one was STRAIGHT UP! We lost two girls on the way up due to falling and refusing to trek higher. On the way down, I was the mama duck with my ducklings waddling directly in my footsteps. I kept praying that no one would fall because if they did, I would go down with them, domino style. We had two slip…including Kailey who slid for at least 15 feet while looking like she was surfing but laughing the entire time. When we made it back to the car Amber said she was never mountain climbing again and Makinzie asked if her fall tore a hole in her yoga pants. I think over all, our hiking expedition was a huge success.
Weeding. This is a chore. Two of the puniest girls (Stephanie and myself) offered to help Philo and Mazwi weed their maize field with their broken hoe while they bathed and got ready for their trip to the city to see the movie. I immediately regretted my offer as I was afraid I would accidentally upchuck one of their beautiful little maize plants…and butt sweat was drenching through my slacks. But on a positive note, Stephanie and I felt very productive on an early Saturday morning. When we were done (who knows how successful we really were as our 20 minutes of weeding made very little progress on their huge garden), we saw our donated jump ropes tied to the top of their covered “kitchen” area. It’s funny how we think we’re donating a toy and they turn it into a useful tool – a clothing line to dry their freshly washed clothes!
Today we took half of the sponsored orphans to see a cartoon movie called “Epic”. I loved it!! The movie had an “Ubuntu” theme as they said that we are all leaves growing from the same tree – or “I am because we are”. AND I just so happened to be seated in front of little Mazwi who exclaimed “yeah yeah yeah!! Ohhhh!! Ahhhh!! Ohh noooo!” throughout the whole movie. On the way home in the rural village I plopped Mazwi on my lap and let him drive us home. I cannot get enough of that boy’s giggles and smiles. I love watching him grow up and I pray to God that his HIV medication will carry him through to an old age that beats my own.
I usually love the movie days – pizza and movies always make goodbyes easier. And it’s only a see-you-later until March. But today I went home with a heavy heart. Two of my girls are pregnant. One was from a rape and the other was a sugar-daddy/coercive older boyfriend situation. Both girls are terrified of what the future will bring for them (now “damaged” goods) and their babies (being born of unemployed hungry single mothers). Both girls asked me to take their babies back to the US when they are born. Both girls only wish this because they want to give their children a life better than their own – orphaned, HIV-+, unemployed, and uncertain of what their future holds. Sometimes it feels as though, in the grand scheme of things, our GHFP kids are only statistics: “120,000 HIV orphans in Swaziland”. But these kids are human beings – AMAZING children with passions and dreams and endless love. I wish to make them infamous. I wish to tell their stories to anyone who will listen. I wish for people to remember Mazwi not as the poor orphan with HIV but as the hilarious, rambunctious, courageous, hardworking, and sweet sweet sweet boy that he is. Thank you for reading and spreading the word… YOU are helping make them live beyond a statistic.
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