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.
