HFL Region and Program Information

Hello!

Since so many of you continue to ask pertinent questions about the charitable organizations that Hope for Limpopo Inc. supports, we’ve decided to give you an in-depth look at the “who-what-where-when-why” of these worthwhile charities.

Today’s blog and accompanying pictures are all about the Vhutshilo Mountain School (VMS) which provides orphans and children between the ages of 1.5 and 7 years with the highest possible standard of personalized care, stimulation and education available. Of all the children in need of special care in South Africa today, those most at risk are the orphans of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Often raised in extreme poverty by a grandmother (mmegogo) or elder sibling, and frequently ostracized by their neighbors, these children face a future with little hope from the onset.

The traditional home of the VhaVenda people, in the far north of Limpopo Province, is one of the poorest regions of South Africa. Over 50% of the population is unemployed, homeless or illiterate. HIV/AIDS is rife; basic infrastructure, state health and social services in this widespread rural area are extremely limited. This is where we begin our story.

BACKGROUND & HISTORY: Sue Anne Cook (Suzi), the founder of VMS, has lived in Venda since 1984. An active advocate for the Venda community, Suzi readily responded to local concerns about the growing number of AIDS orphans in the area. In 2002 she converted her mobile home into two classrooms, identified the 10 neediest orphans in the area, and opened her doors as the Vhutshilo Mountain School. Not only did Suzi educate these children, she provided them with two nutritional meals daily, clothing, transportation to and from school and exceptional personal care including preliminary medical assistance and ARV medication.

At this point, Vaughn Churchill, Peace Corps volunteer and veteran teacher extraordinaire entered the picture, offering much needed educational assistance as well as nurturing care and knowledgeable support. As soon as Vaughn walked into that mobile home/classroom, the seed for Hope for Limpopo was unconsciously planted in his mind and in his heart. Returning to the United States, Vaughn, his wife Jo Ann, together with their friend Nancy Amanti established Hope for Limpopo as a non-profit organization primarily (at that time) to support the children of VMS.

EVOLVING: Frasier, a young volunteer from Scotland, moved by the plight of the VMS children, took the story home to his church congregation. Consequently, in 2005, the Church of Scotland built a 2 classroom school which is now the new Vhutshilo Mountain School. End of story? That’s what Nancy thought ….until she visited South Africa and VMS witnessing the continuing neediness firsthand. (Jo Ann, however, who had lived and worked in Limpopo Province, never doubted that HFL had much more work to do.) While the school is more than Suzi had hoped for, the need is still great. The classrooms are a wonderful improvement but the supplies are limited and the necessity to expand the grades is ever present. The number of students has grown from 10 to 55 and the grades range from pre-school to grade 2 but the need persists. We learned firsthand that it was not unusual for Suzi to send home food parcels or clothing for siblings who do not attend VMS. The Vhutshilo Mountain School continues to provide the students with two nutritious meals per school day, second hand clothes, health checkups by the local clinic and monitoring for signs of abuse or neglect.

OUTREACH PROGRAM: While educating the children is the primary goal of VMS, it is impossible to ignore the impact home life has on the VMS learners. VMS has recently included an Outreach Coordinator whose job it is to ensure that the children are as well cared for at home as they are at school. They assist the families of learners to access government grants and provide food parcels and practical assistance as families wait for their application to be approved.

Vhutshilo Mountain School has quickly become an integral part of the community. Suzi continues to reach out to the entire village population in an effort to better the lives of the VhaVenda people. She is an amazing leader and HFL is honored to be able to help her achieve her goals.

Good Morning

Good Morning!

It is difficult to believe that we have been stateside a full 2 weeks now. While our memories of old and new friends and encounters are fresh, the journey still seems a lifetime away. And although we are grateful to be back with friends and family, there is little doubt that we remain irrevocably changed by what we have seen and experienced in South Africa. The major portion of our hearts will forever be with our family, friends and supporters in the U.S. but it is undeniable that we have left a piece of our hearts in the Limpopo Province.

We’ve returned from South Africa with some ideas for small projects needing our attention. One such undertaking involves a young Vhutshilo Mt school student and his Mom who both have severe and chronic asthma. Their asthma is exacerbated by the fact that they live in a rondavel, which has a straw thatched roof (see-attached pictures). One of HFL’s projects is to replace the thatched roof with a tin roof, which should help to ease some of their breathing difficulties.

Elisa (the “Mom”), works in the Community Garden (see-attached photos) which was initiated and supported by the Vhutshilo Mt School. The school provides the vegetable seeds and the irrigation for the garden. Women who wish to care for the garden are rewarded with the vegetables they grow, provided they offer a small percentage of the harvest to needy families. The importance of this garden is not only reflected in the fact that it provides sustenance for the neighboring poor, but it provides healthy nourishment which is vital for the well being of these HIV+ women and children.

By now you may have noticed that HFL is intent on finding self sustaining programs for the HIV+ women and children of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The past 2 weeks has been filled with ‘To-Do’ lists encompassing thoughts and ideas of how we can continue to support both the Vhutshilo Mt School projects and the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program by providing seed money which will help them help themselves. We invite you to offer opinions and suggest your own ideas concerning the best way for Hope for Limpopo to continue to support these charities. We hope you envision it as we do: as a ‘community garden’ with the ‘seeds’ provided by HFL but the labor and love provided by all who wish to share in the harvest.

Our next blog will include the suggestions we receive from supporters. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

TVEP August 1, 2009

Last Wednesday we had the opportunity to accompany Tshilidzi Masikhwa, a TVEP Senior Legal Officer, to the new 2 room home HFL was able to build for Freda, a victim of domestic abuse. She and her 7 children are all currently living in a 1 room dirt floor, unfinished home belonging to Freda's brother. The circumstances are difficult, bear with us as we share Freda's story. In 2006 Freda approached TVEP seeking assistance in breaking away from her violent and abusive husband. Prior to this she had managed to flee with her children and go into hiding. Her husband eventually tracked her down and forcefully dragged her back where he physically beat and repeatedly raped her. While cleaning the house she found medical records confirming him as HIV+. Subsequently tests confirmed Freda was HIV+ as well. At this point his violence escalated to also include the children. TVEP tried to advocate on her behalf many times. Because her husband had friends occupying senior positions in government departments, her protection order was rescinded. Alone, frightened and aware that the justice department, SAPS, and the local police department were unwilling to assist her, she turned once again to TVEP. Recognizing that there were few alternatives, Mesikhwa and TVEP decided they must raise capital for a new home for Freda and her children. They submitted a proposal to HFL and we were able to fund materials and building of the dwelling. Unfortunately, we did not have the funds to furnish her new home. However, we are happy to announce the home will be completed within two weeks, thanks to the generous donations from HFL's supporters. This is your money at work, Friends! Be proud of yourselves...pictures are attached.

Most likely this is the last opportunity we'll have to blog from South Africa, but we have so much more to share with you: the trauma center we visited, the community garden, the straw roofed rondaval that needs replacing due to chronic and severe asthma of a VMS student and his mother. We leave South Africa on Monday arriving at BDL on Tuesday. We'll continue our story with pictures next week.

Saying goodbye to everyone we've met is exceedingly difficult although we look forward to seeing our family and friends back home.

Thank you to Jo Ann for her amazing photography and computer expertise and to Nancy for her chronicling. See you in the States!

VMS - July 29, 2009

Monday afternoon Khathu, the VMS outreach coordinator and her assistant introduced us to a local support group of HIV+ women. Aside from needing an accepting social group, these women are desperately trying to find income producing activities which will enable them to support themselves and their children. All are currently on ARV drugs and receive a small disability grant from the government. Ironically, as their health continues to improve and their CD4 count increases, the government discontinues the disability stipend forcing the women to stop their medical regime in order to keep their meager benefit. Senseless to us but inexcusably true.

Fortunately we were able to introduce the idea of producing beads made from recycled glass to the women attending today's support group meeting. Naturally they were excited and anxious to begin the training, however, initial steps need to be taken before this project can move forward. We are feverishly working to throw together a proposal and a bare bones budget before we leave Africa. Next we will need to brainstorm ways to raise this working capital. The good news is that we know this project is doable and the investment is minimal.

We wish that we could properly convey to you how little these women and children have and how grateful they are for the smallest gesture, the slightest recognition, the most minuscule gift. A friend from Westfield gave us a bag of self-adhesive stars to share with the school children. As we peeled off the backing to put a star on each paper, the children quietly held out their hands to also receive the small paper backing covering the adhesive. They have very little and are grateful for everything.

Attached are a few pictures of the woman's support group, children from VMS and the bus they arrive in.

Vhutshilo Mountain School July 28, 2009

Yesterday, our first day at Vhutshilo Mountain School (VMS), was full of dichotomies. Sue-Ann, the founder and director of the school, picked us up at 6:45 am before she made her daily school transport run. We climbed into the back of her "bakkie" equivalent of a pickup truck, which was equipped with 2 long wooden benches replacing cushioned seat. A thin piece of foam lay on the floor between the benches to accommodate Tshavhu, a paralyzed 2nd grader as well as several 2 to 3 year olds. By the end of the run 13 young children had piled into the back of the truck along with 2 school teachers (plus Nancy) and off we went to meet the rest of the students at school. The morning was quite cold and although we listened to a cacophony of sniffling and coughing, not all were dressed for the the chill. Immediately we noticed that each child was eager to go to school...even the little girl who wore no shoes. All of the children are fed breakfast (a type of vitamin fortified porridge) and lunch (cooked tins of fish and rice)which may be the only nutritious food they get for the day.

While at school, the children split into 2 groups; an overwhelming (32) pre-schoolers, the youngest about 1 and a half years old and 19 first and second graders. While they have no textbooks, the children are eager to learn and the teachers work very hard to give them the basics. We were both able to assist the teachers with "crowd control" and "staying on task" as well as teaching the children a few finger play songs, alphabet lessons and math for the older children.

These children have very little but we were stuck by how loving and kind they were to each other. They appreciated everything including a hug or simply a smile. There is still so much more to share with you but the day was overwhelming and we must stop now. Tomorrow we will tell you about the woman's monthly HIV/AIDS support group we attended in the afternoon. The stories abound. Thanks for listening.

July 27, 2009

While at KNP we once again had the opportunity to see nature as it was intended. Crocs mingling with hippo; grazing impala; kudu, nyala, buck; herds of giraffe, zebra and elephant within feet of our vehicle. We even saw a black mamba, one of the most venomous and dangerous of snakes. Our final thrill was seeing a male lion lying sitting next to his fresh buffalo kill. Fi and Fliss, our hosts, have been a wealth of knowledge re: animals, bird, trees, KNP and SA history in general. From 6 am until the park gates close at 5:30 pm they took us down deserted dirt roads on game rides as the rest of us game spotted. Obviously no one left the vehicle since the danger was real and the horror stories of tourists leaving their vehicles were abundant. Monday is finally school day at Vhustshilo Mountain School...Yeah! More about that tomorrow. Pictures were too difficult to upload today...will try again tomorrow.

July 23, 2009

Just a few minutes before we leave for Kruger National Park, a 9 hour drive to our overnight accommodations. Wanted to thank all for your comments and encouragement. Your support is appreciated.

Leshiba - July 22, 2009

So sorry that we have been out of touch but we've spent our first few days at Leshiba Wilderness which lies in a hidden valley atop the Soutpansberg Mountains, one of the country's most spectacular bio-diverse environments. This wildlife sanctuary is special, offering a uniquely African experience with spectacular unspoiled views and dramatic wildlife. On day one a white rhino and her baby walked alongside our vehicle, a bit later we walked behind a family of 6 giraffe, and by the end of our brief stay sitings of impala, kudo, wildebeasts, wild boar and the hind quarter of a fleeing zebra continued to enthrall us.

Our walking guide wove us through natural paths and up rugged terrain pointing out ancient botanical medicinal plants as we made our way towards splendid rock art depicting shamans with antelope features. It's hard to spend time in the African bush and not be affected by it. We were grateful that we had no electricity to spoil the splendor of our surroundings. It is truly a unique experience to wake to a family of baboons peering in one's window then dashing off looking most annoyed at the intrusion.

Athough we've been here for a short time, we continue to be struck by the general kindness of the South African people, their ready smiles and their willingness to help. Even in this vast unspoiled wilderness we were able to experience the generosity of people who have little to give but are still willing to share. While at Leshiba we discovered and were offered an unused kiln and a 16 year old South African boy who is willing to teach a group of Venda women how to make glass beads from recycled bottles. The cooled beads will then be fashioned into necklaces. Hope for Limpopo is thrilled to be able to provide seed money to launch this initiative which will enable HIV positive women to maintain their ARV maintenance regimen.

Pleae check back in a few days when we'll once again be able to access internet.

Day 1

Arrived Johannesburg after 16 hour flight from Atlanta, GA. Struck by the brown terrain of winter. Early morning flight to Polokwane on a small 30 passenger plane was surprisingly efficient and smooth. Met in Polokwane by Fiona, friend and director of TVEP. As we traveled the 2 hours to Thathe Vando, Fiona & Felicity, another representative and host, briefed us on the local situation. Although TVEP and Vhutshilo Mountain School have made amazing progress, it is obvious that there is much more to be done. Women and children from areas north of the Limpopo River continue to pour into the region seeking refuge and aid. Information we are receiving is overwhelming. Today we will receive more specific information from the TVEP office re: the need for housing for homeless extended family.

Preliminary Itinerary

Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 16 late afternoon. Overnight at the Airport Lodge Guest House, return to Airport to catch a plane to Polokwane the following day. We will be met at the Polokwane Airport in Peitersberg by the Executive Director of the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program and drive to our lodging in Venda, Limpopo Province.