Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

Asina Dube a 75 year old guardian from the village of Sizeze.  She was all smiles when she received her fortified porridge because she knows exactly what it means.  You see, she takes care of three grandchildren:

• Siphosenkosi Moyo, a 12 year old girl, 
• Sikhangele Dube, a 17 year old boy, and 
• Siphiweyinkosi Dube, a 1 year old boy

Asina Dube has seen hardship and sorrow since watching hopelessly as her children died from cholera, hunger and HIV. She says she was encouraged by the gift of food when she received her portion of porridge. She kept saying over and over ‘May God bless His servants who sent this porridge’.

The best part was watching her laugh and dance all over the grounds, singing her made up song "since God’s servants came from far, the hunger has gone away’.  She narrated how she was very worried about her small grandchild who needs food which builds his body.  When we explained that this porridge had all the vitamins and all the goodness the little one needs, tears of joy rolled down her face. “Don’t worry my children, these are tears of joy. I had nothing to give my grandchildren, especially the little one. We are so grateful for this gift.

The grandchildren of Asina had received 3 goats last year and now, they have five goats including 2 kids born late last year. She and the older children have been caring for the goats and they milk them to feed her youngest grandchild. She adds that even the older ones get to have milk in their tea, which helps with the hunger pains. She says’ I want to meet these people who have saved my life and my grandchildren’s lives by sending this porridge and these goats’.  

Note: AFCA requires that orphans and guardians sign a contract which states that they will not sell, barter or eat their goats for three years, giving the animals a chance to grow and reproduce, establishing a herd.  This is a very difficult thing to accomplish in times of hunger, so this family was gifted with porridge to help them meet their goal of becoming farmers who can fend for themselves, even in times of famine.  Thanks to your donations, they are going to do it because their goats are alive and everyone should make it through this difficult time of hunger.

If you'd like to learn more about what we do, you want to volunteer or you are looking for other ways to help more people like Asina and her kids, please contact me at tweaver@AFCAids.org.  We need you!