An estimated 70,000 AIDS orphans live in Swaziland where 42 percent of the population is living with HIV and AIDS and 70 percent of the population are youth. A severe food shortage has created a crisis and families face starvation. Some of these families are headed by children due to AIDS losses in the family.
Dan Mcluli, Swaziland, South Africa, president, developed a program where vegetable seeds could be provided to starving families so a garden could be grown and the recipients could become more self sufficient. “But there are no more seeds,” he explained, “and no money to buy them.”
"This is a ‘Macedonia cry’ in a country rated as most hard hit by HIV and AIDS in the world and facing extinction if current trends continue.” These words by Dan set off a flurry of activity in the Lake Union, and elsewhere in the country.
Cynthia Prime, a member of Chapel West Church in Indianapolis and president of Transforming Lives for Christ (TLFC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people move from pain to power through Christ, contacted her ministry network. Plans were made for a small team to accompany her to Swaziland, where she would speak at their camp meeting. What began as just the germ of an idea has grown into a full-blown outreach known as SEEDS OF HOPE.
TLFC developed SEEDS OF HOPE to raise funds for seeds to be purchased by ADRA Swaziland and distributed to the orphan groups and distressed families. The seeds include cabbage, beetroot, carrots, onion, spinach, tomato, and beans, and cost $10 per family; the same amount will clothe one orphan.
Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) shared the orphan's plight with its viewers and invited participation. By doing so, 3ABN raised funds for seeds and clothing for at least 2,000 orphans. 3ABN shared the plight of the orphans with its viewers and invited participation.
A team will leave for Swaziland on Apr. 23 to participate in camp meeting, provide health education, and possibly operate a temporary clinic in Mafusteni, one of the hardest hit communities. They will also provide spiritual nurture and life skills training.
A highlight of the visit will be programs for hundreds of Swaziland orphans, hosted by Brenda Walsh of 3ABN's Kid's Time. Walsh mobilized an army of volunteers to raise funds and collect clothing for children. The clothing and other resources were loaded for shipment Mar. 3. Georgia-Cumberland Academy, under the direction of Nancy Gerard, along with numerous area schools and churches she recruited, filled the container with clothing and supplies, but more help was needed to meet the Mar. deadline. Women’s ministries groups in Indianapolis churches teamed together to assist with the effort.
Please consider sending a donation for seeds or clothing by Apr. 15. Send contributions to: SEEDS OF HOPE, 3ABN, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, IL 62896.
Transforming Lives for Christ press release
