Diane's journey

 

1 000 South Africans die of HIV and Aids every day

  1.5 million children in South Africa are orphaned by HIV and Aids              

 1 in 4 families is headed by a granny or sibling

 

I am a special needs teacher in London who has a dream to return to South Africa, my homeland, to work with children who have HIV/Aids.  My aim is to be part of a team working for Thembalitsha, a charity that has various arms involved in a range of community-based projects in the Cape, South Africa.  One of these projects is the Village of Hope in Grabouw where children with HIV/Aids are housed, either temporarily until they can be reintroduced back into community or permanently where placement is more difficult. 

My dream began when my family visited friends who lived at a missionary hospital in Zululand, South Africa. I was still in primary school at the time but I clearly remember thinking whilst we were there that one day I would be a missionary.   It has taken a while but my dream is finally taking shape as I raise financial and prayer support to return to South Africa and work with children with Hiv/Aids.  I will not be paid any salary at the Village of Hope so I am currently raising my own income from people who commit to give a monthly contribution or a one off donation.  This would enable me to serve the children full-time.