Where some dreams come true

Siteki, Swaziland
15/05/09
10:37

Those of you who have been following these little words for some time will have glimpsed how deep the river of need runs through this wild and beautiful country nestled in the heart of Southern Africa.

Every single day, oftentimes many times in the same day, some new area of need opens like a dark flower before my eyes.

In spite of the pain and suffering which surrounds us here, I am uplifted and inspired by the outpouring of love and support which we continue to receive from compassionate people all over the world. Over the last couple of months, through the generous readers of this blog we have raised several thousand dollars which will be used to alleviate suffering and bring hope to those who are in most desperate need.

In Africa and many parts of the developing world donating to 'relief projects' can be fraught with difficulty. Where there is poverty, there is often corruption, theft and unethical practices which occur to displace money from where it is intended, into the pockets of thieves.

This is why i have always agonised over the placement of donor funds. I want to ensure that every cent that is given, is used reverently to honour the hearts of those who have donated.

So it is with great humility and gratitude that I have come to a decision as to where funds to the 'Swaziland Appeal' will go.

I have written earlier about the wonderful work which the Homebased care team at the Good Shepherd are doing for those who are suffering deeply and are living in abject poverty. Not only do they provide medical care but they provide needed food and compassionate care to those who have the least.

Many times on this blog, I have refferred to my dear friend Kathleen Hartmann.

Back in 2001, Kathleen and Matron Anna Zwane envisioned a holistic approach to patient care for the sufferers of HIV and incurable disease which took the hospital into the homesteads of those too sick or too poor to reach our hospital on top of the mountain. Since that time the homebased care team has grown into what it is today, reaching hundreds and hundreds of people each month who are dying and impoverished.

When I first met Kathleen many years ago, it was on the Wards of the good Shepherd. I have always described that moment to my friends 'as a certain fragrance suddenly entering the room.'

Kathleens compassion is without parallel.

I have never seen any doctor or nurse treat patients with the beautiful compassion and tenderness which she affords each one whom she meets.

It has been one of the great priveledges of my life to work with her and I was deeply humbled when Kathleen asked me to come and help further empower the HBC team in the incredible and difficult work which they are doing.

Kathleen and her husband Dr. Alfred Hartmann who both live in New York, have set up a fund for home based care. Money from this fund goes directly to the HBC team. It provides money for:

Specific projects such the buliding of houses for very poor people,

School fees for orphans unable to attend school,

Transport fees for the many people we see who need hospital care and are unable to afford the few dollars it takes to reach the hospital.

Food packs for those whom we meet in the community, many who have absolutely no food. Often displaying the clinical effects of starvation.

The homebased care fund is one of the most secure entities which I have found anywhere in the world for making donations to the sick and impoverished. Each day I see first hand the very tangible results that donated funds make through this fund.

Let me give you an example of a homebased care project which I have recently been involved in and was funded entirely by 'The Homebased Care fund'.

On a recent home visit we met a frail old Grandmother (GoGo) who was shivering in the cold with ants crawling all over her tiny body.

Gogo's children had died of HIV and she was living in a hut which was quite literally collapsing around her.

There were huge holes in the roof which meant that when it rained Gogo would become drenched, and the hut itself was so cramped and dark that all of Gogo's possesions were kept very close to each other. The night before we arrived, Gogo's only blanket had fallen in the fire and she was quite literally freezing.


I remember Kathleen saying to the team "How on earth can she survive the winter in that house?" And we determined to build her a new house with donated funds from the Home Based care fund.

We enlisted the support of the local community and began to build her a new house.


Everyone got involved ;) . Carrying rocks, sticks and sand, pumping water. Even the doctors tried to help. lol
A young local builder (who himself was orphaned by AIDS many years ago) worked day and night with a team of volunteers to turn Gogos dream of a new house into a reality.
And soon before our eyes, there it was... A new house with a bright red door and a corrugated iron roof to keep Gogo safe and warm through the coming winter.

Moving day came soon enough, and Gogo could not believe her eyes.

Those who had built her house knelt in prayer for her life and for the gifts which all of us had received through being part of her story.
And to me it felt as though loves light wings had wrapped around her once more. Reminding her that her life mattered. That she was not alone after all.




And with the new house, came a new blanket to replace the one that burned in the fire. And a new hope, that even here in this broken, hurting country, some dreams still come true.

Thank you for walking with me into the lives of these beautiful people.

Your love is changing things.

I know.

From Siteki with love,

Maithri