sharing the hope they found
EngageHIV partner Izandla Zethemba recently shared this encouraging story with us …
"'Izandla Zethemba' means hands of hope and the project is quite literally providing just that. As much as we can run great programmes, teaching and courses, we know that it is only hope in God that will bring people through and help them live positive, victorious lives. So we aim to bring that hope through our words and actions. A very positive example is with our teenage support group called 'Hoop Group'. When looking for a name for the group, members came up with 'Hoop' which means 'Hope' in a couple of different languages. This year they expressed a desire to 'give the hope they have found' to others, so we organised for them to spend some time at Thembacare, a local community-based organisation caring for terminally ill children. It was amazing to see the joy they brought to these little ones and even the staff."
This story tells of hurting and seriously disadvantaged children coming to a point where they can see the needs of others and reach out to them – it speaks of them having real dignity despite their difficult circumstances and the pain they are feeling.