One Game Changes Everything

U2 World Cup Commercial - Anthem
Since we are going to a continent where Soccer (Football) is the #1 sport, I thought this ad for the World Cup was appropriate to give us "Americans" a feel for the importance of the game overseas:
(click arrow below to watch video)



More U2 World Cup commercials can be seen Here:
Ivory Coast
Scotland
Sick Days
Anthem (seen above)

U2's World Cup Tribute can be seen Here:
World Cup Highlights

More information on the FIFA WORLD CUP can be found HERE.

The Times They Are A-Changin'?

I hope the stigma surrounding AIDS in Africa is starting to change. Nelson Mandela recently announced that his son died of AIDS saying, "Let us give publicity to HIV/Aids and not hide it." (The BBC has a good article Here).



A fellow South Africa Pilgrim also sent in an article about a group of South African prisoners who successfully fought for the removal of restrictions on access to AIDS medication in Durban's Westville Prison (Article is Here).

Latest News

The latest news on our work at the Children's Home:

Six bunk beds, with mattresses, have now been delivered, so the children will not have to sleep on the floor this winter. In addition, each of the 15 children residing at SLCH has received new socks and shoes and a new jacket and wool cap for the upcoming winter. The South African consultant and his wife obtained and delivered these items with the bunk beds.

SLCH continues to house 15 children and to provide food bundles for 51 children placed in the community. When the local grocery where SLCH had established credit burned down, a local non-profit stepped in to provide food that month. Credit has now been established at another grocery, so food and electricity are fully accessible again (Electric cards are purchased at groceries).

Renovation plans continue for the lower building. If the kitchen cannot be relocated there in Phase I of construction due to funding limitations, it will remain in the upper building until funding is available. An “ablution unit” (portable sanitation facility) will be purchased and connected to permanent sewer, water, and electrical lines. In the (likely) event of a delay in connecting sewer lines, a holding tank will be used in the interim, as sanitation is of high priority to the Board. All capital improvements will be conducted according to South African standards and local government policies.

The Big Five

Our group has planned a day trip to one of South Africa's many Game Reserves. Because of the large wildlife population, Elizabeth & I are hoping we have the opportunity to see all of Africa's Big 5:
Leopards, Lions, Buffalos, Elephants and Rhinoceros.

One

THE ONE DECLARATION
WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty. WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs - education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans - would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost of just 1% more of the US budget. WE COMMIT ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all.

Sign the ONE Declaration Here

Bono in Africa

Bono has been in Africa recently working to fight the emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty. He spoke about the situation in Africa to President Bush and members of Congress at the National Prayer Breakfast in February and said, "it’s unjust to keep poor people from selling their goods while singing the virtues of free markets, to hold children ransom for the debts of their grandparents, and to withhold medicines that would save lives. "

“God will not accept that,” he said. “Mine won’t. Will yours?”

Read more about his work in Africa here:
Bono in Africa

See the complete text of Bono's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast here:
The National Prayer Breakfast

A Good Article

A good article about giving submitted by a fellow pilgrim:
From Here to Africa

Information on the Orphanage

From our church's website:
The Sihawukelwe Lauren's Children's Home supports orphaned children in Umzinyathi, a village in northeastern South Africa. The health status of the children is unknown; however, all are a result of parents who died of AIDS. Fifteen children, ages 3 to 18 years, live there full time as they transition to community or government supported programs. The Cathedral provides funding of food to both live-in children and orphans supported by community families, and often as many as 60 deserving children might visit daily for meals. The current priority is to build bathroom facilities for the children. Running water is not currently available. The opportunities for assisting in expanding this ministry into other health and social welfare areas are boundless.

More information on the children's home can be found here:
Children's Home Fact Sheet

Last Year

A pilgrim from last year has written:

Before leaving for South Africa, I prayed for God to open my heart to all the new experiences I was about to receive. What He did was fill it with so much love that each time I think of our children there, I'm overwhelmed with joy and excitement. Everyday I think of their hugs, big bright smiles and the wonderful sound of the Zulu language. You don't have to understand Zulu, just listen with you heart.

Amen

Ag, more blooming mealiepap, man!

Looks like my fellow pilgrims and I are going to need a little help with the local lingo in South Africa:
South African Jargon - a Survival Guide For Visitors

New Shoes

We delivered our 1st shipment of new shoes, jackets, and bunk beds to the children this week. A fellow South African Pilgrim writes about the delivery:

What a joy it is to see kids’ faces shining, wide-eyed and who could just not stop smiling. Brings tears very quickly. Bye the way – the kids are waving “Hello America!!!”
The bunk beds are being used separately but can also be “stacked” – seems the kids prefer low level sleep when they have the space. Pillows were still in the packing as I had just delivered them with the linen etc.
Princess and Purity are ecstatic! They really feel some connection to you guys now.

We can't wait to make the journey to see these wonderful kids. I want to say THANK YOU to all of our supporters for helping us make this a reality.