Natalie's Story
Natalie Hutchings June 2006
In 2006, AAF had its first volunteer team head to South Africa. A group of ten adults, 4 women and 6 men, aged between 18 and 50, headed to South Africa for 4 weeks. The plan was to offer assistance in anyway possible. Of course in Africa anything can happen so it was good for the team to remain open and willing. The 4 weeks was amazing! As a team of 10 we were able to split for some projects and come together for others. We were able to help in so many ways, including painting, cleaning, gardening, food delivery, playing soccer with locals, caring for children, and more! Each of us could tell of many life changing experiences. For me, the most touching moment and one that I will never forget was the day we went to deliver food parcels to orphan children in child-headed homes. We travelled so far, over many rocky roads, dust flying everywhere. We went to 4 homes on that day, and delivering only the most basic of food - maize. The last home we visited brought with it the confronting reality of the AIDS pandemic. A young girl, only 16, was caring for her two younger brothers and her mentally disabled father. Firstly, how do you do that when you are only 16 years old? Secondly, how do you go on when you have just lost your own baby of just 12 weeks? Just near the entrance to the mud hut lay a piece of concrete. And at the doorway of the home sat a young girl without a smile. I got out of the ute and without any hesitation walked to her, sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her. We could not exchange words, we spoke a different language, but our hearts were the same. I often think about her, is she alive, did she get the ARV medication before it was too late? I may never know but I do know that I will choose to be a part of making a difference. I won't let my trip to Africa just remain an 'experience'. Thank you AAF for giving me that opportunity!