ubuntu: i am because we are

a group of us have started volunteering at an organization called ubuntu africa. it was started by an american girl who studied abroad here only a few years ago; while she was here, she volunteered at an orphanage and fell in love with it so much that she came back to start this new organization on her own, which is incredibly brave and admirable. ubuntu africa is located in khayletisha, a township about a half an hour outside of cape town; khayletisha is the largest township in cape town, with between 500,000 to one million people and is by far one of the most poverty-stricken and dangerous areas in the area. driving in, all you see are miles and miles of shacks.

ubuntu africa is a center for HIV positive kids; there are currently 42 kids who are a part of the program, but over 200 are on the waiting list. there are 240,000 children infected with AIDS in south africa alone, and over 80% of them do not have access to the anti-retroviral medication that they need. the majority of the children at ubuntu have lost one or both parents to AIDS; some of their parents have been murdered, and a shocking proportion of the children have been infected with HIV through rape, sometimes by their own father.

ubuntu africa provides health care and counseling to HIV positive children and their families, but it focuses specifically on improving the well-being of the children in all aspects, not just medically. ubuntu is a place for the kids to come and play, be with their friends, and get the attention that they are so desperately lacking at home. they are picked up from school and brought to the center, which is simply a church that is rented out by the center. the children are fed dinner each day by ubuntu; this may be the one real meal they receive all day.

we've started visiting once a week, and have brought the kids toys and coloring books; last week we brought music, and you'd be impressed with how well these tiny kids can dance and how many of them know every word to beyonce songs, even if they speak limited english. we've also discovered a small abandoned house next door to the center that we're planning on painting, furnishing, and converting into a hang-out place for the older kids; this will give them a fun place hang out together, away from the little kids. we're also going to clean up the yard so the kids can play outside safely.

every time i visit, i am struck by the excitement and positive energy that radiates out of these children. they are always excited to see us, and are full of love and hugs and laughs. sometimes i step back and think about what is actually going on both inside their bodies and inside their homes, and it literally knocks the wind out of me. despite the illness that is ravaging their bodies and their families, they just want to be loved and have fun.

i encourage you to visit ubuntu africa's website. i know that times are tight, but if you find it in your heart to make a donation of any size, the money would go an incredibly long way here. the organization is young and needs funds in order to grow; my friends and i, specifically, need money to fix up the house for the teenagers. even if a donation isn't feasible, i urge you to read about the organization and about the AIDS epidemic. education is important. people need to know what is going on here, especially because of the lack of initiative both by the government here and by others around the world.