So walking home yesterday I passed a boy on the street wearing a Boston Bruins shirt and I got so excited I really just wanted a picture to show all you Bostonians but I thought it would be way to weird to whip out my camera, so I didn’t. But then as I was drinking my daily afternoon tea on the front porch, he came over to see Daniel (they must be friends from school or something), so I ran to get my camera to take their picture.
He was just a normal, growing and healthy boy like my little brothers… or so I thought. My mom went on to tell me that he was born with HIV and that his mom has “the disease”. WHAT? Maama just told me like she was telling me how to eat matooke. What am I supposed to do with this? I just want to scream sometimes when I see things like this! It just shows how much this world needs a redeemer. This world is so broken and sometimes I just can’t process or deal with it.
I’m a fixer, if there is a problem I spend my time thinking of solutions and I don’t stop until the problem is done. But what can I do about this? Nothing. And its painful every time I think about it.
From my understanding and looking at the news sources over the years AIDS is at epidemic proportions in Africa and treatment is sporadic at best. One of the issues of that country (continent).
ReplyDeleteBut Danielle, there is SO MUCH that you can do. You can LOVE him and hug him and share a meal with him. Your photos and comments are DOING SOMETHING to share with the world that "The Disease" is real and happens to REAL children and REAL families. I am so pleased to see a photo of a happy and healthy young boy...he must be taking his medicines to keep "The Disease" at bay.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara, but he most likely isnt taking any medication because his family probably cant afford it. People around here are struggling to make school fees and jobs here are minimal... from what i can tell, his parents just own a little shop, like most people on the street.
ReplyDeleteUganda is one of the countries in Africa that have pioneered the movement to curbing the AIDS epidemic. The problem isnt AIDS... its the culture. Its the fact that it has become somewhat acceptable to sleep around, as long you keep it on the DL. Basically, poverty is the root cause of all these issues and its going to need a stable, not corrupt government who cares more about their country than their power to actually do something good for their country.
as always, thanks for reading!
hey girly! you are having quite the adventure there in Africa! I love you and am praying for you. Remember.... a good day is a day that is full of love. God is love and you will bring Him glory through loving others. Miss you!
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