Story From the Field

South Africa

September 23 thru Oct. 3, 2007

Four AAI adopted projects were visited during this 12 day mission, representing only the second visit to each project to clarify AAI’s responsibilities in adopting these missions. Generally, AAI has promised to conduct several missions per year to each facility with cash and in-kind donations. Using the AAI model, AAI volunteers introduced to such projects personally adopt the mission as their own. These new Mission Directors then personally direct AAI support including grant writing and coordinate in-kind and cash aid by new visitors. Here is a description of each facility.

Greetings from South Africa!

National Veterans Association for South Africa:

Airline Ambassador Mission Director: Thulani Mabaso

modeling shirt at the sewing school

There currently exists no effective benefit program for the Robben Island veterans (former Robben Island prisoners that the country ironically regards as it’s patriots). These former prisoners of apartheid have no health care or education programs and ail from affliction’s caused by their incarceration. AAI initiated this association among former prisoners and it has turned into a mission now enjoying a broad level of  political support in the newly formed Republic of South Africa (RSA). Thulani Mabaso, a highly recognized and published former prisoner and Robben Island Museum guide, is our local Mission Director. Thulani has had several movies made about his life (see Google).

Living Hope Community Center:

Local Mission Director Trevor Grey is the Director of this incredible facility that provides both hospice care to AIDS patients and education and community support to families in the surrounding community of Sun Valley, near Capetown South Africa. This facility is church based, which makes it very effective. It currently cares for many AIDS patients that also educates over 3,000 children in several nearby township schools. The patient’s palliative care includes caring for the patient in a holistic manner from the diagnosis of the disease to the bereavement process for the patients family. They operate a 20 bed Health Care Center and extensive Home-Based Care Services in all the communities in which they work. AAI donated over $1,000 worth of in-kind aid and delivered a check, a small donation that we hope will grow when more people participate on this mission. Also use Wendy Ryan for an AAI contact number there.

Trevor Grey receiving Airline Ambassador check

Christel House South Africa:

Brian and Ann Kidwell arranged a donation of musical instruments by McLean High School

As far as the eye can see, a patchwork of tiny dwellings cobbled together from salvaged materials blankets the landscape. These are the homes of the children of the Christel House South Africa. Their neighborhoods are rife with gangs, violence, disease and abuse. HIV/AIDS, fetal alcohol syndrome and drug abuse are commonplace. Not surprising, Christel House has become an oasis for the resident children in our care. The children look forward to coming to school every day and they demonstrate a desperate willingness to learn. Discipline problems are few as these children cling on to the only stability and symbol of hope of their lives.

Nkundusi Village:

This AAI kitchen serves over 500 people daily where many eat their only meal

AAI is the only NGO working with this impoverished Zulu Village and it’s attendant school. AAI visitors always get an incredible native welcome from the children and school staff when they visit which seems more lavish than a Broadway Play.

Village chiefs receive an AAI check for their new project

 There are approximately 300 children that attend this school. For many this school provides the only meal of the day. AAI has built has built and maintains a new kitchen with the indispensable help of Gavin Dickson, owner of the nearby Hluhluwe River Lodge.  AAI delivered new mattresses for the children living at the school and a $2,200 cash donation since June of 2007.

The schools first mattresses arrive with this AAI trip to our adopted school. Previously the resident children (all orphans) slept on disintegrated straw mats on a concrete floor.

On this trip another very doable project emerged through the local chiefs. Where the government of South Africa has promised local participation in the booming tourist industry, AAI has been asked to help make that a reality by bringing in visitors to

Chief Jacob and AAI’ers make new tourist deal

The new scheme will offer tourists traditional Zulu dancing

participate in their local tourist project. This inexpensive scheme would bring tourists onto tribal lands that have been inducted into the “World Heritage Site” system by UNEP for it’s abundance of wildlife. The agreed tourist scheme includes building a balsa wood dugout canoe with a lateen sail and a traditional Douma (Tribal Lodge) for tourist transport, wildlife viewing and entertainment with the traditional Zulu welcome and dancing.

An early Airline Ambassador Explorer, the intrepid Sir Christopher Gahman

As AAI trips go we must confess this one to be mostly fun and games