Swaziland in
Pictures
Pictures
We just finished month 8 in
Swaziland. We got to Bangkok, Thailand last night for month 9
debrief. In Swaziland we worked with AIM and Beyond the Game at their different Care Points around
Timbutini. In Swaziland over 50% of the population has HIV/AIDS- the
highest in the world. Statistically Swaziland will cease to exist within
the next 50 years because of their high HIV/AIDS rate.
Swaziland. We got to Bangkok, Thailand last night for month 9
debrief. In Swaziland we worked with AIM and Beyond the Game at their different Care Points around
Timbutini. In Swaziland over 50% of the population has HIV/AIDS- the
highest in the world. Statistically Swaziland will cease to exist within
the next 50 years because of their high HIV/AIDS rate.
Life in Swaziland is fragile. I saw things I never thought I would
see. I saw a kid with cigarette burns
all over his body, a woman die of AIDS, and starving kids line up for their one
bowl of food a day. AIDS has had a catastrophic
impact on the country. The majority of
the middle generation has died out because of AIDS, leaving children orphaned
throughout the country. Kids are either
left to raise themselves or are taken in and raised by other family members or Gogos
(Swazi grandmothers who raise local kids even though most of their own kids
have died of AIDS). Families can’t afford food for their kids so Swazi
children have to rely on Care Points for their food, and sometimes only get one
meal a day when the local Care Point is open, which is usually a bowl of beans
and pop or fortified rice.
see. I saw a kid with cigarette burns
all over his body, a woman die of AIDS, and starving kids line up for their one
bowl of food a day. AIDS has had a catastrophic
impact on the country. The majority of
the middle generation has died out because of AIDS, leaving children orphaned
throughout the country. Kids are either
left to raise themselves or are taken in and raised by other family members or Gogos
(Swazi grandmothers who raise local kids even though most of their own kids
have died of AIDS). Families can’t afford food for their kids so Swazi
children have to rely on Care Points for their food, and sometimes only get one
meal a day when the local Care Point is open, which is usually a bowl of beans
and pop or fortified rice.
Swazi’s are in desperate need of something to cling onto when death, starvation, abuse, and rape surround them. Even with everything going against
it Swaziland there is still a glimpse of hope there. The smiles are big. The churches are thriving and packed with
Swazis singing beautiful worship. The
country is beautiful. The sky is open
and bright blue and at night it’s packed with the brightest stars I’ve ever
seen.
Some Swazi cave paintings- who knows if they are ancient or not
If you want water, grab a bucket. We didn’t have running water all month.
We had to rely on rain most of the time
This is how we get our news
I’m pretty sure he can be in the next Madea movie
Racing at the care point
Goodbye Swaziland
