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Christmas is celebrated with joyous fervour by children all over the world. Their squeals of delight fill us with an inner joy as we witness and embrace the idea of being fully known and loved. The African children that we work with have the same longings to be both fully known, and loved. With that in mind, we share this touching postscript from Jane and Matthew Gray’s recent letter from the field.

A Postscript…
Earlier this week as we battled against jet lag, we received a message from the field. A remote mountain taxi crammed full of children aged between four and six was attacked with stones, as it drove the children to school. This unprovoked, violent assault led to several children sustaining injuries. Some of the children remained on the damaged taxi and were taken to school, as if nothing happened.

Experience tells us, that when these children arrived at school they would have been herded routinely into mud-floored classrooms with limited light and no warmth. Some of the children would have been crying, some of them still bleeding. We can be certain they would be frightened. The teacher, battling with up to 60 children, may or may not have been aware of the incident. There would be no social workers, trauma counsellors, psychologists, school nurses, deputy principals or doctors. There would be no government welfare agencies available to offer support.

It is a jarring juxtaposition, as we know that had such trauma occurred in Australia, the children would have been cradled in countless layers of love and tender care as they were nurtured through the trauma.

This story is not without hope though. This is where you, our friends and donors, are making a real difference...

Upon learning of this incident our team sprang into action, immediately piling into their new AAF vehicle. They headed quickly up the dirt road to the school nestled into the mountain side. Our capable, committed and caring team, armed with practical measures and first aid kits, swept into the school. The team tended to torn flesh wounds on some of the little limbs belonging to these innocent children, and boiled some river water to make sweet white tea to settle their nerves. In doing so they brought order to the chaos. They instructed heads of tribes to come and collect the children who needed direct care. They would have whispered gentle Zulu words to encourage the children that even though the world is broken and bad things happen to good people, they can rise above traumatic events such as this. There is always hope in random acts of kindness. This is a message that, indeed, extends beyond the ears of these little children.

Matthew and I have no doubt, that by the time our team left the school there would have been vibrant songs of thanksgiving resonating throughout the AAF van, along with promises to return and continue the healing process.

We remain ever hopeful that the work of AAF will equip children to overcome adversity. Our vision is of a new generation of Africans who will rise up with hope in their hearts, and a passion to see positive change in their land. A new generation of Africans who know what it is to be both fully known, and loved.

Yours along the journey,
Jane Gray.

 

Notes from the chairman.

At the recent AAF General Meeting we heard stories of lives changed and shared insights on the ongoing work in Africa.

“In the 20 years since its formation, African AIDS Foundation has evolved in many ways. Initially we found ourselves responding to an acute emergency where people were starting to die in extraordinary numbers in an epedimic which ultimately killed 35 million people and created havoc in the social fabric of Africa….”

We have the most impressive African team who foster youth groups and forums in local schools and their communities and coordinates our programs. These activities are really life changing and an inspiration to all of us.

It is easy to support overseas activities from a distance and assume all is well, but we have found that our regular communication and face-to-face visits (Self-funded trips) to South Africa are vital to ensure focus remains.

I am so happy to report that many lives are being changed in a most positive way. I thank all the people who contribute in a range of different ways to this work and pray that we can together continue making life changing differences in the lives of severely deprived people.”

Dr John Schwarz OAM