During our last few days in Swaziland it poured rain! Because of the weather we were not able to hand out the legacy books that we made. It was hard to leave the project not knowing if the right people would come along to complete it. After our team left Nsoko we went to Nelspruit, South Africa for a night and just happened to be sharing a guest house with the World Race teams heading to Nsoko. They were having transportation issues and we ended up in the same place at the same time, if things had gone according to their plans, we would not have seen each other! As usual, God’s timing was impeccable! We were able to tell the Racers about the vision of making Legacy Books for parents with AIDS to leave for their children. The Following blog was written by Di Dinnis who is currently on the World Race. I was so excited to see this post yesterday!
The dictionary defines legacy as “a thing
handed down by a predecessor.” It can be words of wisdom, memories,
material possessions, or something the person is known for.
handed down by a predecessor.” It can be words of wisdom, memories,
material possessions, or something the person is known for.
Morgan McKeown a January 2007 Racer, fell in love with Swaziland when she came here on
her Race, and got the idea to do Legacy Books for the men and women
dying of AIDS. Legacy Books are scrapbooks of a person’s life, with
everything from their birthday, favorite childhood memories,
information about their children, and pictures of them and their
families. With AIDS so prevalent in Swaziland, many children are
growing up without knowing their parents. The goal is to show them they
have value and something worth leaving behind.
her Race, and got the idea to do Legacy Books for the men and women
dying of AIDS. Legacy Books are scrapbooks of a person’s life, with
everything from their birthday, favorite childhood memories,
information about their children, and pictures of them and their
families. With AIDS so prevalent in Swaziland, many children are
growing up without knowing their parents. The goal is to show them they
have value and something worth leaving behind.
Morganbrought a team to Swazi about a month ago, and started the Legacy
Books, and we got a chance to continue the project this month. We
interviewed about 20 people, took their pictures, and are currently
working on putting the new books together.
We also finished the books Morgan’s team started, and had a
ceremony to present the completed books to the people who were
interviewed when her team was here. During the ceremony, Anna spoke
about what it means to leave a legacy, sharing what her mom left behind
when she passed away, and shared that it was important for them to
leave a legacy so their children can remember them As we announced each
person’s name and they came up front to receive their books, their
faces were beaming as they read their story and saw their picture in a
book. I’m sure many of them don’t have any pictures at home, and they
laughed as they looked at themselves.
ceremony to present the completed books to the people who were
interviewed when her team was here. During the ceremony, Anna spoke
about what it means to leave a legacy, sharing what her mom left behind
when she passed away, and shared that it was important for them to
leave a legacy so their children can remember them As we announced each
person’s name and they came up front to receive their books, their
faces were beaming as they read their story and saw their picture in a
book. I’m sure many of them don’t have any pictures at home, and they
laughed as they looked at themselves.
Their stories were heartbreaking. Like Nomsa Gina who lost both of
her parents when she was very young and had to live with her
grandmother. Her brother was the only one taking care of her and he
committed suicide when she was 15. Her grandmother then passed away a
year later and by the ago of 16 she was left completely alone. She had
her first child three years later and when he was one year old, his
father took him and she has not seen him since.
her parents when she was very young and had to live with her
grandmother. Her brother was the only one taking care of her and he
committed suicide when she was 15. Her grandmother then passed away a
year later and by the ago of 16 she was left completely alone. She had
her first child three years later and when he was one year old, his
father took him and she has not seen him since.
Many of them didn’t know where they were born, their parents had
died at a young age, had at least one child who had died, and they felt
like they didn’t have hope. Their life dreams were simple, to live to
see their grandchildren, and for their kids to go to school.
died at a young age, had at least one child who had died, and they felt
like they didn’t have hope. Their life dreams were simple, to live to
see their grandchildren, and for their kids to go to school.
But now, they are starting a legacy.
Darci interviewing Cathy and Rachel working on the books
A family I took photos of.
