Quotes for Contemplation

"Our country calls not for the life of ease, but for the life of strenuous endeavor." --Theodore Roosevelt



"The world steps aside for the man who knows where he is walking." --Unknown, as seen on a billboard in Aruba

AN APPEAL

Many of you are already aware of the journey that I will embark on at the end of September--I will return to South Africa for a month of charity work with children orphaned by AIDS. There is a chance that my month-long stay may evolve into years of charitable work--please read on for details on how I intend to help and how you can be involved, too.

South Africa evokes a myriad emotions and images: Kruger National Park and The Big Five, the cradle of humankind, apartheid, shantytowns, Nelson Mandela, violence & AIDS.

Nestled outside of Kruger National Park lies a remote village affected by a global pandemic. Dumphries is home to sixteen children orphaned by AIDS, some afflicted with the disease. Just a few extended family members look after these kids, not born of the same mother but united by circumstance. Medication and a nutritious diet are not daily, perhaps even monthly, occurrences.

These children are fortunate in that a few employees of a lodge, some twenty minutes away, have “adopted” them. These employees make the drive down dusty, predator-prowled dirt roads on a small motorbike when their schedule permits; twice a week if they are lucky. The employees bring with them a tea brewed from a local root that is said to soothe the ailments of those battling AIDS. For the most part, this is the only treatment that they receive for their disease. But, above all, the employees from the nearby lodge bring smiles and a glimmer of hope with each visit. This is what matters most to the children. That people care.

I will be spending four weeks this fall with these children. I want to bring the goodwill of a faraway place—a land so distant it is incomprehensible to such young minds—but a land whose generosity and genuine concern is real. I want to bring with me supplies for basic needs: clothing, hygienic products, bedding, first aid; and other delights to stimulate their senses: books, art supplies, jump ropes and games. My intent is to observe their daily routine and determine how help from charities and the global community can enhance their lives.

My ultimate goal is to become an instigator of active participation from the global community in issues that affect our world. Consider this the next time you visit a movie theatre: For the cost of one movie ticket and a box of popcorn for each American, we could prevent 13 million children from becoming orphans. (Courtesy of DATA; see data.org for more information)

Your contribution will directly benefit these children, in allowing me to purchase some things stateside and the remaining items in South Africa (remember, baggage allowances and customs will restrict what I can bring into the country.)

I will record my visit with photos and details on each child--check back here beginning in October for updates.

Feel free to contact me directly:

whereintheworldiserinkaiser@hotmail.com