Dreams Do Come True.

During the month of July we had visitors from northern California. David's parents, David and Jane Haproff, came to stay with us in Swaziland. All of our friends and extended family here were very pleased to be able to meet David's parents. Soon and without any prompting they became known as Mukhulu (grandfather) and Gogo (grandmother) Haproff. Our friends here were very taken with their incredible warmth, sense of family, and understanding and deep love for Africa. Jane and David had spent three years in Kenya forty years ago as lay missionaries, and it showed by their quick understanding and intuitiveness of the local culture. Many days were spent visiting the patients and families that we have gotten to know here, and they really considered it an honor to get to meet the matriarch and patriarch of the Haproff family. Additionally, they made home visits with the Home Based Care team, and that was one of the highlights of their stay for all concerned.
Soon after their arrival we took them to meet Elsie, Siphesihle, and the family. It was love at first sight. Jane and David made it a priority of theirs to find out what could be done to help this family. Shelter for the family became an obvious starting point and plans were made to build Elsie a home that would provide lasting shelter for her family. We enlisted the help of Mnendisis, who is a young local builder and contractor. He has built several homes for needy Home Based Care patients and their families. The vast majority of the materials for building the house we purchased locally from Swazi owned businesses. Thus helping to provide support for the local economy. The plans for the home were sketched, pricing of materials and labor were provided and it was time to buy the materials. We wanted to begin construction as quickly as possible so that David and Jane would be able to see the project through to completion. It took a lot of time running errands, buying supplies and providing transportation for the builders but the fruits of all of our labor payed off. The construction of the house was completed before David and Jane's departure and the painting and finishing touches soon thereafter.
A great deal of gratitude is owed to Mukhulu and Gogo Haproff. They completely funded the project without hesitation and asked for nothing in return. Many tears were shed by Elsie and her family at the great gift that they received, a new home that they will have as their own to keep them warm and dry for a lifetime to come. This home was truly a labor of love. A lasting gift of love, support and compassion for those less fortunate than us. Thank you Jane and David for making this dream come true.

Elsie with great joy in her heart as construction of her new home was about to begin.

Gogo Haproff with Siphesihle at her homestead as the project is about to begin.

With Elsie and Siphesihle's old home in the background, clearing of the land is initiated. As you can see their old hut was in desperate need of improvements.

Above, measuring the floor plan for the new home. The hut to the left is one that Elsie built almost single-handedly this year, it will last for many years to come. Elsie has five surviving children of seven born to her, so the space is much needed when they are all at home.

Below, the river sand arrives. The sand is mixed with the concrete to make to go further and to save on expenses.

David and I moving some of the concrete blocks used in the construction. Before our arrival Elsie has already moved 90% of th blocks, but we showed up in time for the photo op.

Above, David Sr. surveying the project on the first full day of construction. Standing with David is Mncedisi who was our builder.

Evening is falling and all are pleased with the progress made already.

Below, David and Jane saying goodnight to Elsie, Doris and Siphesihle.

Fast forward to about a week and a half later. Below, the blocks are all in place and soon the concrete floor will be placed and skim coating will begin.

Two days of skim coating and all if looking good.

Below, David checking out the site of the much needed outhouse. It certainly appears deep enough and should last a good 10 to 15 years.

The outhouse has taken shape and will be ready for use in a day or two.

Below Mukhulu and Gogo Haproff visit the nearly completed house the day before they left Swaziland. Having to say goodbye was not easy. Many tears were shed and lots of love exchanged.

The following Saturday we spent the day applying a coat of primer to Elsie's new home. Below, I'm taking a break after spending most of the morning applying primer.

Painting time at Mzilakazi. That is name of the area where Elsie's homestead is. David had to do much improvising in order to reach the higher areas without a ladder.

Below, Elsie's young son Thembekhosi having a rest while overseeing the painting being done on his new home. This has become a favorite spot for him to take it all in.

Elsie applying the final coat of paint to the inside.

A rear view look at the completed home. Elsie has a really nice view of the surrounding area.

Home Sweet Home. The Haproff House is completed and Elsie and her family have a safe and lasting shelter thanks to David and Jane.

Peace,
Scott

Birthday Wishes

We celebrated Siphesihle's 7th birthday with her last Saturday, July 25th. Although there were just a few of us present, many others were there in spirit. Siphesihle wore her white dress donated by Tran Luong, a nurse and old friend from 11 Long at UCSF Medical Center. It is her favorite dress and now she has been able to wear it on Easter and for her birthday. The dress is saved for only special occasions and she looks very cute and festive when she is allowed to wear it. David's mom made the birthday cake and it was quite delicious. Presents included a beautiful doll sent from Corona, California by David's sister Andy. Siphesihle immediately named the doll Annie, I know its not a Swazi name by it was her choice. A good time was had by all and it was certainly a memorable day for the birthday girl. Oh no, am I sounding the a proud parent who talks way too much about their children? I will stop now and share some photos with those of you who are still interested.





Siphesihle was up with the sunrise, bathed and anxiously awaiting the party to begin. When we arrived she was dressed in her very best dress, reserved for special occasions.














Siphesihle and I photographed on her homestead. The hut in the background is her current home until the new house is completed. David's parents are having a new home built for her family.











From left to right, back row first. Thembakhosi, Elsie and David. Front row, Bandi, Siphesihle, David and Jane.













We sang Happy Birthday (in English) inside what is going to be the new home when it is completed.

















Some wishes do come true, Siphesihle stared on her ARV's on Tuesday after a very long and arduous effort by us and and her mom.















Annie, the newest member of the family, thanks Andy.



















Gogo Haproff reading to the children after the cake had been enjoyed by everyone present.
















Little Annie being fed her first meal.














I am always very happy to see Siphesihle and be able to spend time together.

















David with his buddy Bandi. Whenever we are visiting, Bandi is sure to be by David's side.

















Bandi and Siphesihle, they are first cousins and attend
St. Boniface school together.




















Siphesihle carrying Annie around in true Swazi fashion.


















After the party was over, the children walked us up to the road. A great time was had by all. It was really a pleasure to have such a joyful afternoon and be able to escape the many unpleasant realities of life here.











Peace,
Scott

Vanna Siphesihle White

Many people have asked what kinds of food we supply to various patients and their families. So, yesterday we did some shopping and before delivering the food we decided to take some photos and make a price list to share with you. In very Swazi fashion, as we were taking the photos Siphesihle happened to walk by where we were parked and became our willing assistant. I asked her if she felt like Vanna White, and she gave me a very blank stare, so I assumed the obvious -- that my question was a rather poor attempt at humor with some pop culture thrown in. (Side note, Siphesihle turns 7 today and is scheduled to start on her ARV's on Tuesday.)

We do most of our shopping at Shoprite (a fairly large chain of grocery stores from South Africa) because the prices are the most economical and not because we enjoy the pushing, shoving and maneuvering required to get to the check-out. Yesterday we stood in line for about 2o minutes amongst all of the madness of food shopping on a Friday late afternoon. You would think that in a town of about 6,000 people that there wouldn't be such chaos getting to the check-out but that is not the case. One has to side-step the heaps of food, carts, and baskets left behind by other shoppers who became impatient or miscalculated how much they had to spend. Anyway, I digress, so on with the story. First of all I want to thank all of you who have sent money for food. It has really helped supplement the money we are spending and has made for more abundant and frequent food deliveries.

If anyone else wants to support this effort then please let us know. You can email myself (ubescott@gmail.com) for information on how to get the money to us. Basically, you can send Karen Wong a check and she will deposit it in my account in the states and then I will draw on it here with my ATM card. That is the easiest and quickest way to get the funds here. Unfortunately the Emalengeni (whose value is directly tied to the South African Rand) continues to climb in relation to the dollar. The value of the dollar in relation to the Rand has fallen by 30% since our arrival. This has made it more difficult to make give the same level of support that we were initially able to.

Following are some photos of some of the basic food items we provide for the families we are helping support, along with their prices in Emalengani. At today's exchange rates, one US dollar is equal to 7 Emalengeni or Rand.




Mealie Meal (ground corn), which is what most Swazis eat everyday. It accounts for about 90% of their diet, rich in carbohydrates, but significantly lacking in protein. It can be purchased in many different quantities i.e. 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg.
This 5 kg package costs E27.99.












Sugar Beans, 2 kg E19.59. The main source of protein for most Swazis and used to supplement the mealie meal. These beans are grown locally as well as imported from South Africa, as most goods and services are here in Swaziland. The beans must be boiled with water for many hours before eating them.













10kg of rice, a very welcome change to eating just mealie meal, the Swazi staple, is E70.00
























Raw peanuts: a 2kg bag is E29.99. Another good source of protein, but quite expensive for most families. The beans are placed in a cast iron pot over an open flame and roasted before eating.
















A small bag of iodized salt (500g) is E1.59





















Jungle Oats oat meal, costs E19.99
















Emasi, or sour milk, is a favorite of most Swazis, and a good source of protein. A 2 liter container is E12.99.



















Breakfast porridge: 2kg of Mabele Meal is E13.99
















Sunny soap, used for washing clothes E6.99

















Raw or Brown Sugar 3kg E16.99


















Dried soup packets E3.49 each.




















Sardines in tomato sauce, which is a luxury for most of our patients and very well liked, is an excellent source of protein E11.99

















Baked Beans, another good source of protein E4.29





















Cooking oil: 2 liters costs E25.49
















Farm fresh eggs, one and half dozen: E23.49














A welcome treat for the children, which we try to provide once in a while, are cookies: E3.59 per package.

















Peanut Butter, 1 kg E28.49, is rather expensive by local standards, so rarely purchased by the patients we see. Obviously an excellent source of protein and well liked.


















A loaf of bread 800g is E7.29
















Lion brand matches: E3.29, and candles: E9.99. Most of our patients lack any source of electricity. Matches and candles provide a way to have some light in their homestead once the sun has set.

Peace,
Scott