Return to Kruger

Last weekend we took another trip up to Kruger, and we managed to see all of the Big 5. If you want to read more about Kruger, you can read my post from last time we went here.

Pasture Valley Children's Home

Clare is currently on break from school, so she and I took the opportunity to volunteer at Pasture Valley Children's home for five days, and I'm so glad we had the chance to do so. Pasture Valley is a dairy farm, plant nursery, and children's home run by Peter and Michelle McCubbin near Nhlangano, Swaziland. While we were there, we stayed with Gail and Mike, a couple who live and work at Pasture Valley. They were great hosts, and we really enjoyed spending time with them.

The children's home consists of three houses- Stella House, David House, and Timothy House- where the children live with a housemother, or make in siSwati (pronounced mah-gay). The aim of the set up is to make the children feel more like a family. Not only are the children a family, but everyone else on the farm is a part of the family as well: Peter and Michelle are Babe (pronounced bah-bay) and Make, and Gail and Mike are Auntie and Uncle.

Currently, there are 34 children, ages 2-18, living at Pasture Valley. Most of the children are orphans, many due to AIDS; some are HIV positive themselves. Despite the many hardships these children have faced, there are always smiles on their faces. Though some people would look at these children and say they have nothing, I would disagree. Though they don't have many possessions, they are surrounded by people who love and care about them, which is something money can't buy.

The girls really enjoy playing hand games. They tried to teach me a few, but I didn't catch on very quickly.

As you can imagine, being a home to 34 children, Pasture Valley is hopping during break time. Between farm chores, preschool, swim lessons, and other activities, there's hardly a dull moment. We had a great time helping out and getting to know the children, and I'm hoping we'll go back to visit sometime soon. To learn more about what goes on at Pasture Valley, visit their website.

Clare and I with the McCubbin family and Gail and Mike

The children of Pasture Valley

In addition to her work at Pasture Valley, Gail also works with the Bambanani Project. Bambanani is a siSwati word meaning “supporting one another for a better tomorrow” or “holding hands.” This organization helps to train women in traditional and non-traditional handicrafts and create a market in which they are able to sell their products. To see more information on the Bambanani Project visit this webpage.

A few of the beautiful necklaces crafted by the women of the Bambanani Project

World AIDS Day

Every year, World AIDS Day is recognized on December 1st. The goal of this day is to spread awareness and increase prevention of HIV/AIDS. Because there are so many people affected by this disease in Swaziland, (1 in 4 adults- the highest prevalence of HIV in the world) the message of World AIDS Day here is extremely important. Education regarding HIV for those at risk is the best way to stop the spread of this epidemic disease. 

HIV has led to a life expectancy in Swaziland of only 49 years, one of the world's lowest, a 15% population of orphans, and an increase of violence against women due to misconceptions about transmission and treatment such as the idea of "virgin cleansing*." Without education about the prevention of HIV/AIDS, the situation in Swaziland will continue to deteriorate. 


Thankfully, organizations such as PEPFAR (The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) are working to spread awareness and reduce the spread of HIV through clinics, media campaigns, etc. PEPFAR  is "the largest [commitment] by any nation to combat a single disease internationally." PEPFAR is working to set up sustainable, host country owned and driven, HIV prevention programs that link HIV with other health needs and intertwine multiple health-related programs.


So wear your red ribbon today, and speak up for HIV/AIDS awareness.

*Virgin cleansing refers an idea, widely spread throughout Africa, that if a male infected with HIV engages in intercourse with a virgin that he will be cured of his affliction. This most often occurs by means of rape.


References:
Avert.org- statistics on HIV/AIDS in Swaziland
The-AIDS-Pandemic.blogspot.com- Myths and Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS
Pepfar.gov- Information on PEPFAR's efforts to end HIV/AIDS
WorldAIDSday.org- Act HIV aware picture