What is ‘UBUNTU’?

“Ubuntu (oo-boon-too) 
I am because we are”

Ubuntu is a traditional African belief and a term for human-ness, for caring, sharing and being in harmony with all of creation. It is all about the essence of being human. Ubuntu embraces caring about others, being willing to go the extra mile for the sake of another. Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, “…"…(Ubuntu) is the essence of being human. We believe that a person is a person through other persons (and) that my humanity is caught up, inextricably bound up in yours…it speaks about wholeness, it speaks about compassion. A person with ubuntu is welcoming, warm and generous, willing to share. Such people are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole. One seeks to work for the common good because your humanity comes into its own in community, in belonging.”

Hope for Limpopo exists because our faithful followers practice “ubuntu”. Whether you send us a donation or a word of encouragement or perhaps you take precious time to read our blogs, check out our website or spread the word by ‘liking’ us on facebook, please know that you are practicing ‘unbuntu’ and we are grateful.

“Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (I am because we are)”.  THANK YOU!

Congratulations Cristina Kessler!

Cristina Kessler, award-winning children’s book author and longtime loyal friend to Hope for Limpopo, Inc., has done it again!  Her book, My Great-Grandmother’s Gourd, has been selected as the second-grade book for the 2014-2015 anthology of Junior Great Books.

Many of Ms. Kessler’s children’s books are set in Africa but all send an important message. She tells us that “My Great-Grandmother's Gourd is set in Sudan and tells the story of modern technology replacing traditional ways, and ultimately the wisdom of combining the old and the new. It’s based on a true event, and shares the universal theme of “Don’t mess with my grandmother and family loyalty.”

Cristina Kessler is a magical storyteller and a favorite workshop presenter. Please check out her website for more information on this talented and cherished friend as well as info on her other award-winning books.

More on our Youngest Aids Activist

 Vhuhwavho Nevhungoni, though merely 14 years old has already made an impact on the lives of many young people living in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. By turning her back on the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, she fearlessly speaks out in favor of the imperative practice of taking ARV medications faithfully and without embarrassment or fear of discrimination.

Born to a mother who died at 35 (when Vhuhwavho was 2 years old) from the HIV+ virus, “Woo” (as she is affectionately called) learned to take responsibility for her own ARVs at the tender age of 4 years.  Her foster mother, Sue Anne Cook, Director of the Vhutshilo Mountain School taught Woo the critical necessity of daily medication management.

Once Woo learned to oversee her own daily medications she was invited to the Siloam Hospital AIDS Clinic to teach and encourage other children to do the same. She spoke tirelessly with positivity and encouragement though she was but a young child herself.

Recognizing the need to teach other young children how to live with HIV/AIDS and how to flourish with the support of other similarly afflicted children, she and Sue Anne created a pediatric Anti Retro Viral (ARV) support group for children.  The support group has now grown to 150 young boys and girls (62 of whom are teenagers). Because of the large numbers, and the problems with transport, “satellite” support groups have been started at 4 clinics in other villages. The original 22 youngsters who are now teenagers facilitated the support group meetings at the “satellite” clinics. This has made a huge impact on the new children as they are so open about their status and look so healthy.

Woo’s accomplishments do not stop here.  We encourage you to read more about this amazing young lady and will invite you to correspond with her directly. Watch for our next blog.