Today our group started with a tour of the Living Hope facilities. It was very encouraging to hear that Living Hope has grown from being a hospice to being a health center. This may seem like only a slight name change, but it is a much more significant change than this. Not too many years ago the center was only able to help fifteen percent of their patients return to their homes, while over eighty percent of the patients were dying. Today those numbers are completely reversed. Due to an increase in support for anti-retroviral treatments as well as HIV/AIDS prevention, the center is now able to greatly extend the lives of their patients. (click images below to view larger versions)
Liz H. commented on all of the questions she has been pondering about: how can we fix the AIDS problem or address poverty? At Living Hope we saw that even though we may not have the answers we can still be part of an incredible change taking place in this community and country.
After touring Living Hope, an eventful moment came upon us as our group was traveling between facilities and had to frantically roll up our combi windows to keep from being attacked by the wild baboons.
Later this afternoon we split up into groups and started working at the four sites: Capricorn, Masiphumelele, Red Hill and Mountain View. We were able to see the beauty of Capetown and its people. At each site we are helping with after school children’s facilities. We were all greeted by warm smiles and open arms of children we have never met before. They were all extremely energetic and excited to meet us. As our first day, we simply played with them, sang songs, and let them braid our hair.
I would describe today as a beautiful chaos. Even though it was chaotic the kids were just so happy and thankful to be with us. Sarah L
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Although most of these children are so young and full of life, they are still able to appreciate our presence, our time and our prayers. One child held Zerlinda’s face in her hands and said “You are so beautiful.” Some of us later said farewell to a heartfelt “I love you.” We are all excited to return tomorrow and see how we can begin to further impact lives and encourage these children.
Finally, I am proud to report that as I finish writing this we received a call from the airport saying they had luggage for us. Which is a huge sigh of relief since a few people went commando today and others were just plain starting to stink.