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!