Life changes...

In a moment, in the very blink of an eye or the sigh of a last breath, life changes. It is easy to forget the statistics surrounded by our mountains and the beauty of outdoors. Easy to leave the pain behind after a long day in the field, until it impacts one (or more) of our own...

The statistics state that the average age of life here in southern africa is a just over 40 years, 75% are starving and that every minutes someone in South Africa dies... from AIDS. Life changes.

These lives that change are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children. They are our teachers, our principles, our peers, our friends. They are our FUTURE...

My heart is so full, full of what I am not sure.  All I know is that during our school visits we kept hearing similar reports of how ... 2, 3, 4, or even 6 teachers this past year have died. Others shared that their headmaster (principle) just died, still others shared how they have a large group of grade 9 students who are head of their home as both parents have died...

It wasn’t just one school, it was MANY schools with the same report.  This is what our kids live through here, THIS is why there is fear and hopelessness, as well as concern for their own future - how could you not when those they love and have trusted keep dying off...

They need hope, and help.  Hope in a future, help living and dealing with the after effects of those around them that are dying. . .