It
may sound strange but after 48 hours with 'AIDS babies' as many people
refer to them, though 'he's positive' or 'she's got the dragon in her
blood' seem to be the lingo in Grabouw, I left feeling blessed, hoping I
can do something for these kids and the wonderful organization I
volunteered with, all the while knowing how easily we forget once back
home in our warm beds and busy lives.
The
informal settlement in Grabouw is 65,000 (est. population 40,000-50,000
plus the townships etc.) of which there is a 34 percent HIV rate. 34%
of 65,000 isn't a number to take lightly, especially when so many of
them are children. The three week old baby I held for my last 2 hours in
Grabouw didn't ask for this. She hasn't done anything wrong. Yet life
for her will likely never be normal and carefree as most of us know it. I
grew up in a clean home with four walls a warm bed, two parents, two
sisters and haven't gone to bed hungry a day in my life.
People
tell me how kind I am, what a good person to give part if my holiday
time to these babies instead of parading around South Africa on safari
and visiting all the cheap shopping destinations. I know better. Two and
a half days of my life is nothing to them.
One more person to miss.
Another
American girl who loved them for one day then left to head back to
England where the water is clear and the football pitches don't have a
spec of glass on them.
I
texted my mom on day one to see if she knew if I'd been immunized for
TB...to which she wasn't happy "great time to think about this! Make
sure you're wearing gloves and not touching bodily fluids." My mom, like
many of you obviously hasn't been to Africa. Gloves? No fluids? This is
real life not a hospital room. These six babies are 13 months - 6 years
old, with the addition of the 3 week old in my last afternoon at the
Village of Hope. They are kids - they have runny noses, bloody noses,
they want hugs, kisses, to sit in your lap. They just want what every
kid needs: love. And in my short time here I hope I was at least able to
give that.
I knew before I came that in 48 hours I would receive much more than I gave and I was definitely right.
I
arrived Sunday evening in Grabouw at the Village of Hope where the
volunteers and house Mommy's gave me a warm welcome. I met the six
bambini, toured the house and after answering many questions about why I
was there and who I was they told me all about the town, the children,
the life, the problems, the people and prepared me for my time there.
Monday
morning started with their daily 8:15a meeting. Where I was just one of
the team. They got right to business. What happened last week? What
does everyone have on for this week? Who is doing what today? I must say
from the minute I arrived I was thoroughly impressed with the
Thembalitsha organization and their projects. Everything was so well
thought out. Run like a business founded on hope and love. It runs
through everyone you meet. They are a Christian based organization but
its not in your face, it is ingrained in the walls and the hope but
non-religious are welcome as well. It isn't a mission trip to drive home
church rules. Many Africans are quite religious anyway. It's a mission
to bring hope and to teach the children stories which will help them
overcome the many hardships they will likely face in the years ahead.
In
my short time there I didn't say much. They must have been so curious
about me. This random girl who came from out of the blue for only two
days. But what could I say? It was just so much to take in. The sights,
the stories, the diseases, the brown water but most of all this group of
people giving their lives to these projects.
On
my second day in Grabouw I had the pleasure of meeting one of the
former Village of Hope children when I went with the home carers on
their daily rounds to one of the local townships, you can hear his story
and more about the organization here: Celukhanyo
If you've made it this far as you want to know more or you want to donate as I plan to start fundraising asap please email me: ashleyhg@gmail.com or visit my justgiving page: justgiving.com/AshleyMarieHG
I
can say from past volunteer experiences this is absolutely a 'Village
of Hope' rightly named and well led. It's a place without corporate
overhead where volunteers pay their own way and all of the money goes
directly where needed. I'm also happy to give the address if you want to
send clothes, toys, books, sports supplies or anything you'd be willing
to share. Hand me downs accepted :)
Let's fight the dragon together...
With love,
Asha
About the Thembalitsha Foundation:
The
Thembalitsha Foundation was established in 1997 with the vision of
restoring hope to the needy of South Africa by developing them to the
point of self-reliance through the provision of healthcare, education
and training.
The
organisation focus on social development and we help to establish
pre-schools, adult training programmes, health care services and
education programmes. It also assists in the rehabilitation of
vulnerable youth through education programmes. The Thembalitsha
Foundation helps to build responsible individuals who are equipped and
willing to contribute to the life of their communities and to the
economic and social well-being of South Africa.
