IN LIGHT OF AFRICA
CORK
Cork is an hour drive from Masoyi. It is a barren village comprised of South Africans and mostly Moçambican refugees and their families who are devastated by poverty, disease and death. We visited many in the community, helping around their modest to meagre homes, assisting volunteers with the care of existing and new patients, some in the latter stages of critical illness. We mourned with those who lost loved ones and rejoiced with those who celebrated small victories. A highlight was the graduation ceremony of the newly formed group of volunteers who were trained in basic care by the previous team from Westside. What a vibrant and joyous occasion! We were also able to administer de-worming medication to 180 orphan kids from the local school where Neta, the principal and community leader, admits 1,650 orphans into her care. There is much yet to be done in this community, and much hope for Cork in the future.
Cork’s future lies in its youth and their potential to survive. We organized and facilitated two sessions of Better Choices, a program designed to teach African youth about HIV/AIDS and motivate them to make decisions that will benefit them. This program started in January ’07, where the previous team from Westside taught it in Masoyi. Five bright Masoyi youth were chosen to lead the sessions in Cork, and we supported their foray into teaching the same lessons they had learned. It gave confidence to the leaders, and new insight for these young people whose future otherwise is extremely bleak.
Our team returned home at the end of May, completely exhausted and deeply impressed. Africa still travels through me. It’s moving deeper at levels I’m often uncomfortable with. It’s tearing me apart and at the same time driving me into deeper reliance on the love and grace of God. continue
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