The sad reality of the situation here in Swaziland showed itself again today. A few weeks ago one of our workers died and we did everything we could to help his wife pay for the funeral. He knew he was sick before he passed away and he asked if we would look after his wife and children, we promised him we would, and we are now paying his children’s school fees and making sure his wife has food and clothes for them.

Well yesterday the same grim situation happened again, we paid all our men (36 now) $50 rand ($7 U.S) each for this weeks work but one of them was missing, we asked were he was and learnt that his wife had died Thursday night, leaving him with 3 young children, she was only 32. Well Mfana went to his house today and gave him everything he needed to pay for the vigil tonight and for the funeral tomorrow. He was so thankful that we cared and that we were there for him. Mfana told him that he is part of our family now and family looks after each other. Mfana also asked if there was anything else he needed, he said yes “could I please have 20 cement blocks ($9 U.S) so I can make a nice grave for my wife because I really love her”

I know this is happening hundreds of times a week here but it’s really hard when it happens so close to home, it really makes you think about how fragile life is? It really makes me think about what I am trying to do here, so many people are now clinging to the dreams and hopes of this project, clinging to the belief that they will be able to feed their kids and maybe even put them thru school someday. I sit here tonight with even more determination to make this project work and to not let any of them down.

In the last 4 months since we started this project, Jackie and I have spent over $900,000 rand ($130,000 U.S.) and we still have another 2 month to get thru before it’s turning enough of a profit to carry itself. We are starting to run a bit low on $ so if anyone would like to help we could sure use it right now!

http://www.ihcenter.org/groups/p artnersforothers.html

Take Care

Ray