Preventative HIV/AIDS Education in South Africa Thursday, May 14, 2009

LauraSisaWeb, originally uploaded by Jerome Love.

Laura Van Netten with Sparrow Schools Psychologist Sisa Danisa. Sisa was instrumental in introducing the Youth United programme to Sparrow Schools – Auckland Park.


Youth United launches in a new school this week! Wednesday Youth United began working in Sparrow Schools – Auckland Park, near downtown Johannesburg. Youth Initiatives leader Laura Van Netten (pictured above) will be supplementing the schools Life Orientation class with preventative HIV/AIDS education. Throughout the presentations students will participate in forum-like discussions to follow-up on understanding, instill preventative action and promote open discussion. One of the problems surrounding HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa is cultural stigma. Victims of the virus are discouraged to disclose their status due to social repercussions like harassment, abuse and in some cases death. This in turns furthers the spread of the virus. By going into schools, VOX seeks to instill in students that HIV/AIDS can be easily avoided and those who are infected should be supported and not stigmatized.

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The Kingdom of Swaziland. Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Descent. Swaziland is one of the most beautiful places I have set my eyes on. It's beauty is that of natural ruggedness. It's a huge agricultural society, where you see cows, goats and chickens on just about every field and a few roads :D. Politically this is the last ruling monarchy in Africa, run by His Majest King Mswati III. You see his photo in just about every shop and restaurant, I think it's required by mandate. For a more of a visual taste of Swaziland, there are more photos through the link.



This country's beauty leaves me awe struck. After crossing the border I immediately felt a wave relief. It's so much more relaxed here! Not all the traffic, noise and buildings. Just mountains beyond mountains...





The farther I get in, the more and more houses and farms appear. A simple life.



This is the outlook from Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College outside of Manzini. We stayed here for the two nights we were there.




The roadside tuck shops and vendors are pretty much everywhere. You can find all kinds of treasures at a "special price today, just for you".





Some are just excited to wave!

Overall it was a great experience. The landscape is a treasure in itself. More stories on our projects and individual lives to come. In the meantime, cross a bridge or two.



for now with Love

Jerome
www.jeromelovesyou.com
VOXUnited
www.voxunited.org
jerome@voxunited.org

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The Format Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Since I returned from Swaziland, I’ve been brainstorming ways to present all of the stories I encounter. I want you all to grasp life here in a way that is real, relevant and provocative. Over a few cups of tea ( Rooibos, I feel South African now ) on a format for presenting most of the work here. Think of it as a airplane ride.

The descent. I’m going to begin by introducing you to the land and culture. This is like your final descent, you’re able to look out of the window, see the mountains, greenery, some animals and some of the architecture. To understand life here, I think it is important to understand the environment we live in.

The arrival. This is where you begin to get acquainted and settled in. I’m going to explain some of the projects that I’m covering, the problem that they’re addressing and the solutions that we provide.

The meal. Finally you will meet individuals and hear their stories of life. What a day requires, who they hold close and what they are achieving. I have a sincere interest in the people that I meet and their well-being. I feel listening first and taking photos later is the best way that I can show that. A little more on this through the link below.

Now not all of my posts will follow this format (most probably won’t after a few weeks) but when you ask the question “Where are the people?” or “What about the projects?” I’m probably laying a foundation to share those stories. All in all, I hope that these stories and photos will inspire you. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to make it here, but it wasn’t just one big decision. It was a series of small ones that got me here. If anything, I want you to know that it doesn’t take a huge wallet or a national foundation to make a difference. Most of the time it’s a few like-minded people who said we’re going to stand up to injustice and suffering. Other times it’s just a shared meal, lending an ear to listen or the best is an acknowledging smile.



-Jerome
www.jeromelovesyou.com
VOXUNITED
jerome@voxunited.org

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I was supposed to update today... Monday, May 11, 2009

But it turned out to be a super busy day. In the schools, meetings and welcoming some new people to our area and then finished off the night with some wonderful conversation with someone I miss so dearly. Tomorrow!

Best

Jerome
Read More Here.

Out of Contact.. Saturday, May 02, 2009

Ill be out of touch for the next few days. We're going up to Swaziland to cover the sewing initiatives and the poultry project up there. Huge updates when I get back!

Jerome
Read More Here.

Houston.. are you there? Monday, April 27, 2009

I feel like I’m on another planet.

As the days turn to weeks here, I’ve been immersed in a whirlwind of people from all different points in life, from all parts of the world. If the U.S. is the melting pot, then South Africa is a delicious soup with more ingredients than I have fingers and toes.

The little time that I’ve been here so far has been spent being introduced to the various projects, project leaders and other organizations we work with here. Forgive me, but I’ve had little time to use my camera yet.


Last week we traveled to Soweto to visit Kliptown. Kliptown has a rich history. It is the epicenter of South Africa’s freedom movement. There, members of the African National Congress with the likes of Nelson Mandela, set out the framework to begin a movement that would end apartheid in 1994. This set the stage for the first equal opportunity elections of which Mandela was elected President. Since then, there have been a slew of obstacles overcome and great strides forward but as with any new democracy, the footsteps are only as great the people who leave them.


View Larger Map

In my position, I’m more interested in the people and their stories. In Kliptown we visited “Mama P” who runs the Kliptown Kresh. Kresh is South African for children’s preschool and day care. Mama P has a heart as big as the Sahara and you can really see the joy that caring for children brings here. I was able to walk around and get to know the staff, but sadly couldn’t bring out my camera. The children range from 2 and ½ to 5 years old and are some of the happiest kids I’ve encountered. We walked around saying hi, hugging, high fiving or just touching a hand and they loved it! Besides the kresh, Mama P runs a womens AIDS support group as well which Vox is in process of working with. Soon I’ll have news for you about that.

Later in the week, Jeff, Sara and I went up to Krugerdorp to visit Jaco and Joanne for a bry [South African BBQ]. Jaco directs our Mozambique water initiatives. He helps setup the sites for wells and purification so that people can get safe, clean water. I’ll be traveling with Jaco up to Mozambique and Zimbabwe in June to cover the groundbreaking of the first wells. Joanne oversees our sewing initiatives as well. Jaco farms cattle for scientific research up in the hills of Krugerdorp and what a beautiful place that is! I grabbed these two photographs just before sunset.





If you flickr, feel free to add me as a contact there as well.

This week there is more work to do and many exciting things in the works. We're looking at going to Swaziland later in the week to cover the Sewing initiatives and Poultry Projects as well as some education work in Soweto. Pray for me always.

Jerome
www.jeromelovesyou.com
VOXUnited
jerome@voxunited.org
www.voxunited.org

Read More Here.

No Pictures Yet Saturday, April 25, 2009

But just a quick video, I know I've been lax on updates but it's been so much work, getting adjusted, oriented and introduced to all the people and projects we're working on. A lot of good things in the works though.

We went up for a bray(bbq) to meet Jaco who runs our Mozambique initiatives. He farms up in the hills. After dinner, I walked around and got to know the scenery a bit, I'll have some pics tomorrow!


Sunset at Krugerdorp from Jerome Love on Vimeo.

Jerome Love
www.jeromelovesyou.com
VOXUnited
www.voxunited.org
jerome@voxunited.org

Read More Here.