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To loud applause and an almost instantaneous outpouring of worship to God, the community of the Ntshongweni valley celebrated the long awaited news, the names of the fifteen beneficiary families selected to benefit from the Ntshongweni OVC pilot project.
Standing before the community, Rev. D.P. Tswaedi recalled the history behind the day’s celebration and encouraged everyone to partner and support the project and the families shortly to be called up on to stage.
Ntshongweni, a picturesque area, part of the stunning Valley of a Thousand Hills reels under the increasing effects of HIV/AIDS and during a recent visit to the local Ntshongweni clinic we were told that 90% of all women attending the anti natal clinic were HIV positive!
Family members invited one by one by Councillor Moyo, as he read through the list of beneficiary names. Some walked slowly, others came forward supported by crutches, whilst a few others were ushered to the front by those sitting close by, not quite believing their names had been called.
The full impact of HIV/AIDS on the Ntshongweni community slowly but surely makes it clear that a generation, possibly two, of children in this valley will grow up without parents. Those who courageously take up the task of becoming their carers are mainly Gogos (grandmothers) or aunts and here lies the challenge. These families are already struggling with poverty, with poor or inadequate housing together and lack of employment opportunities and now they take on the additional responsibility of raising more children.
Through a partnership between the Lutheran churches in the USA and South Africa, and with funding raised in the USA matched by the Habitat for Humanity International Thrivent partnership, these first fifteen families will benefit from the Ntshongweni OVC pilot project.
Hope thrives where God is working and for one community the hope they have for the future of their children will be matched by the passion and perseverance of those who will help the Ntshongweni community build their new homes and who believe firmly, God does indeed work miracles!
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