O.S.A.’s in S.A. from the U.S.A.

All too often I find myself going through life doing this or that without much, if any reflection on graced moments and therefore, without due gratitude to the Lord for having been selected to be that instrument of “heavenly” intervention in times of desperation for someone, somewhere along life’s journey. It happens to me and surely it happens to you. That’s what comes to mind after reading your letters.

My interpretation of what you have written goes something like, “oh by the way since you’re asking,” this happened and that happened and there you have it and really there is not much more to tell. That is why I’d like to tell you what you told me and its startling, good news and gratitude to the Lord for allowing you to have such a privileged position in lifting others from the doldrums. You have triumphs to be noted even though there is still much to be accomplished. It’s no sin to brag about the good news. Keep telling the stories of good news and pass them down from one generation to the next.

An active St. Vincent de Paul Society is a godsend for those receiving direct benefit and to the parish for its commitment to the corporal works of mercy. The benefits reaped from the gardening program are nothing less than astounding and may your sewing venture reach similar success.

It is such a pleasure to read about your endearing remarks about Fr. Eddy. The temptation is to repeat them here in print. I hesitate in doing so, to spare my Augustinian brother of adulation embarrassment and the temptation on his part, “to get even” sometime later on.

The staggering 70% unemployment, 97 destitute school children and 56 AIDS orphans boggles the mind that such harsh statistics are a reality in the midst of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Leo’s and St. Henry’s. Talk about having challenges, there are none greater than those for all of us and they are in our very own back yard.

Yesterday, I received a phone message from the embassy saying that my visa should be arriving in a day or so. I close in St. Paul’s words to the Ephesians.

“May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ grant the brothers peace and love and faith. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with unfailing love.”

Fr. Al

One of the buildings on our property houses Augustinian Sister Novices, as they are experiencing the advent of more religious vocations. Another section of that building will accommodate four of our women Augustinian Volunteers. Their male counterparts, Matt & Pat will live in another building on the property.

Before leaving for St. Leo’s, Fr. Ed and I say hello to the volunteers who are making the Augustinian Volunteer accommodations presentable before we take a twenty minute ride to another world in many ways. In the trunk of the car is sufficient food to feed approximately sixty children for the weekend, otherwise they would simply go without.

It was a joyful experience to mingle with the children. They range from grades one to seven. It seems they love to smile and greet you and shake or touch your hand. If you want to feel like you’re important or in need of a smile, they’ll do it for you hands down. They’d melt your heart.

Guess what the Department of Education did? It sent the school enough reams of paper to last them for the next ten years. What they really need are books for the children and their teachers. I suppose only teachers can fully realize the challenge and predicament they find themselves in.

I asked the principal for an interview sometime. She readily looks forward to one if she is available and not at some bureaucratic event or meeting. There isn’t a phone for miles. They have a copier which was repaired and is presently working. I estimate it to be a 1975 model. One of the teachers mentioned to Father that there ought to be some type of tiling on the copier room floor, otherwise the sand will clog the machine and the rest is history.

That’s it for now. September 1st was the first day of Spring in South Africa. All goes well. May we pray for one another.

Fr. Al

Hello Everyone:

This will be my first in a series of articles I hope to write for those who may be interested in the events as they unfold daily with those I’ve encountered and observed in our two mission parishes, St. Leo and St. Helen. The mother church is Our Lady of Mercy, in Kloof, which is approximately fifteen minutes from our Friary, St. Rita’s.

A week ago today I arrived in Durban to be warmly greeted by Fr. Eddie and Fr. Benji with whom I shall live our Augustinian commitment to community and apostolic endeavors in serving God’s People.

After a lovely lunch and some unpacking, Eddie recommended that I accompany him at the convent Mass the next morning. He’d meet me at 7:10 and we’d walk down to the retreat house for my introduction to the Sisters. Can you guess what happened? A knock came to my door at 9:30. Need I say more.

Hello Everyone:

Today, was a privileged opportunity of visiting Lindiwuje Yvonne, the acting principal of St. Leo School which was established in 1923 and became a government sponsored public school in 1996. A surprise to me is that the land and the school buildings remain as parish assets and therefore, responsibility for its upkeep; whereas, teacher salaries and curriculum remain under the purview of the government’s education department.

This 83 year old institution abuts a newly constructed church dedicated in January of 2004. The old church building now serves as one of the seven clustered buildings, each having sufficient space for three classrooms.

St. Leo’s, is a Zulu parish located in the village of Emolweni, a distance of twelve miles from Our Lady of Mercy Church in Kloof, where I am now recalling my encounter with Ms. Yvonne who was gracious towards me, even though running late for a teachers meeting.

You may find the following information a bit of a stretch. If I were back in the States reading this account, I suppose I would too. There are 390 students in grades one through seven and 28 pre grade children who start at age 2.

Twenty students have HIV while both parents of fifty-eight children are deceased. Ninety-two students have unemployed parents. Of the 390 student body, only sixty children have parents who are able to pay the school’s yearly tuition of 75 Rand or $12.50.

I asked the next obvious question. How do you meet budget? Lindiwuje’s answer was simple and certainly not I would have guessed. The unsuspecting and incredulous answer came forth in a matter of fact sort of way. “Through fund raising.” Through fund raising I repeated, with a look of skepticism at her answer. Like what? And in a matter of fact way, Ms. Yvonne listed the ways that came to her mind:

a. Cake sales

b. Candy sales

c. Student concerts

d. Movies

e. Athletic competition

f. Raffles

Wondering to myself how they could possibly make ends meet. I asked about her staff. How many teachers do you have? “Nine,” she said. What is their yearly salary? “4,900 Rands.” Translated into U.S. dollars that comes to $817.00. I forgot to ask about benefits. On second thought, if I did I might very well have experienced a blank stare or puzzling look, like, what do you mean, “benefits.”

I continued. How many students do you have in 7th grade? “46” she said. And then what, I asked. “Seven more years of schooling: grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.” And will they all complete the next five years of schooling, I asked. She said, “they would.” And then what, I asked. “Then there is tertiary schooling.” And what is that? “That is the equivalent of Junior College or Trade Schooling for those interested in learning a skill.

Lindiwuje tells me they have a library room and are in process of cataloguing their inventory. They recently acquired seven computers. An electrician is scheduled to come next week for a hook–up. They look forward to the coming of Augustinian Volunteers to teach the teachers how to use of the computers so they in turn can teach their students whatever they have learned from the Volunteers. They are also in the process of preparing a science room.

In your view, what are the major issues confronting you, your school and the people of South Africa? Please give me your personal view. With missing a beat she listed the following:

a. Orphans

b. HIV/AIDS

c. Family abuse (physical & sexual)

d. Poverty

e. 70 % unemployment

What can your school brag about?

Our school is first among the others in net ball, soccer and basketball.
Our cultural activities: Zulu dance and music.
We have very active teachers. All of them are qualified and have obtained their 3rd year college certificates.

And what is your school calendar like? “The school year is divided into four terms.”

January 16 — is the start of the school year.
March 28 — the first semester ends.

April 4 — the second semester begins.
June 24 — the second semester ends.

June 24 — winter vacation begins.
July 18 — winter vacation ends.

July 18 — the third semester begins.
Sept. 23 — the third semester ends.

Sept. 23 — vacation week.
Oct. 3 — vacation ends.

Oct. 4 — 4th semester begins.
Dec. 1st week completes the 4th semester.

Holidays, religious and national are days off school as well.

There you have some statistics and sobering realities of one segment of life on this continent. It is easy to become overwhelmed if one is not anchored solidly. We do what we can and remain thankful for whatever it is the Lord allows us to do in enhancing the quality of life and the faith in the lives of these beautiful people.

Fr. Al

At 8:30 on Thursday morning while reading the paper’s usual disheartening stories of spousal abuse, street violence, theft and corruption (sipping a cup of coffee), Flossie our housekeeper told me of a lady waiting to speak with a priest. I figured the coffee was not all that good for me anyway so I left the table, greeted the Zulu lady in the parlor and invited her to my office where she could speak of the heartache she was obviously experiencing away from front office distractions.

I though it stranged that the decorative scarf around her neck was held by her left hand over the lower half of her face, as I surmised she was not a Muslim and therefore forbidden to show her face in public. Her situation, soon to be revealed, may be labeled as “hanging on to the end of a rope in desperation.” She was willing to wait all day if necessary to have her burden lifted somehow, by someone, now, and wasn’t about to be ushered out on to the street again for another attempt at sorting out her issues.

Having been seated and privacy assured in my office, she began her troublesome tale. Again I took mental notice of that scarf held to her face because it was with great difficulty that she spoke, yet we were somehow able to communicate.

Her name is Zodwe, she’s 33 and the mother of twin girls. For income she sells clothing on the street. Presently, her husband is under court order to stay away from their apartment and there is to be no communication between them until the courts decide his fate. Knowing full well that this is leading up to a no-win outcome, only heartache for all involved, particularly the innocent children who had nothing to do with the misbehaving and irresponsibility that culminates in shattered lives and deep sadness.

I inquired about the scarf over the lower part of her face. She lifted the scarf, parted her lips and that is when I saw the humiliation of four missing front teeth, claiming that is what her husband had done to her on one of a number of beatings while intoxicated.

I asked, How do you feel I can help at this time? After some hesitation she said with R 250 she could have her children brought to Zulu Land where her mother is and could care for the children while she could go on sustaining herself by selling clothing on the street again.

I broke one of the rules and would be admonished by Saint Vincent de Paul members that it was not the thing to do. “The matter deserved investigation” they would tell me and I know they are right. Did you ever do something that was not right but you did it anyway? Well, that’s what I did. I broke that rule. I went to my room, got 250 Rand ($41.00) and gave it to her and wished her well with a promise of not telling anyone and that’s how this story got me writing again to all of you.

Last Thursday Dr. Bob Moffitt (a general practitioner) and I set off for a 2:00 o’clock appointment with a government health minister, Ms. Busi Grootboom, at her Westville office, located a few miles west of Durban.

At two o’clock sharp we exchanged greetings in a waiting area and were promptly ushered into a spacious conference room easily capable of accommodating as many as sixteen board members and anyone who may have reason to appear on behalf of some worthy cause relating to the care of the disadvantaged sick or one of the many health issue each day ushers in.

Dr. Bob came prepared with multiple copies of his proposal in hand, for eyes that scrutinize such requests upon entrance into the bureaucratic arena of delays, until finally, resurfacing on the desk of the one person who may say “yes” with an authority of near mythic proportion, thus setting in motion a course of discernable results.

To back up a bit, Dr. Moffitt’s proposal was motivated by an email from Fr. Jim McCartney who was at a gathering of philanthropists at Malvern Prep. One such person expressed interest in helping the disadvantaged, sick-poor by possibly financing a medical facility. Fr. Jim wasted no time in emailing us on his conversation and that is the background of our being here this afternoon.

An interesting development has surfaced these past three months. It is of note that several medical professionals: a cardiologist and his teacher wife, a social worker, a physical therapist and nurse, have all expressed interest in serving the neediest of the needy in South Africa. There appears to be an enchantment about this land which seems to intrigue the mind and spark adventure.

Within two weeks Mr. Kay, the other health official with us, committed himself to an onsite visit to all three missions: St. Leo, St. Helen and St. Aloysius, to determine the neediest region for such a facility. Ms. Grootboom expressed enthusiasm in the following three areas:

a. The possibility of a small maternity cottage built nearby, where expectant mothers could come, rest and cook for themselves a few days before delivery.

b. The probability of an American donor who would provide the financial wherewithal was like manna fallen from heaven. She promised every assistance to further this initiative.

c. The mere mention of an initial inquiry by the dean of the Villanova Nursing School was received with considerable interest evoking a willingness to help facilitate entry for such purposes.

The following incident happened three weeks ago involving two Augustinian Volunteers and an Augustinian Sister. While ministering at this facility, a patient became quite ill, in need of medical attention. The volunteers’ car was readily available and so, they were quickly off to the hospital, not the nearest one; rather, towards the hospital that had the better reputation at Marian Hill. Ten hours later the volunteers were home again, this time with an indelible experience that’s sure to be told many times over in future kibitzing sessions.

Amy took sick the following two days and Tierney, a trained prenatal care nurse and graduate of Georgetown related the following. Before one is able to be seen by a doctor in the hospital one must have a clinic referral. First, one goes to the reception desk then, you wait for your blood pressure to be taken before you are ushered into the hospital waiting area where a doctor will eventually examine the patient.

They witnessed a woman die, chocking on her own vomit. The incident was reported. Fifteen minutes later the deceased was brought to the morgue and the bed remade for the next patient. The concerned relative was not informed of her death. Rather, he was told that she was in the operating room and he should come back tomorrow.

It was noted that there were no briefings between shifts – the nurses were out of there! As a nurse was drawing blood from a patient she asked Amy to help without normal precautions against AIDS. One patient waited in the hallway for two days without food. Tierney gave her, her lunch. No such luxury as a private room; rather wards accommodating fifteen or so patients. Although an I V was inserted into a patient’s arm, the plastic plasma container was left on the bed of the patient without elevation. The doctors were impersonal and yes, this is one of the better hospitals according to standards in the area.

Is there a silver lining in all of this? Not really. The volunteers sang, chatted with the waiting patients, learned a few new words and became aware that Zulus will not attempt eye contact unless you engage them first.

Fr. Al

From a 2003 Visit:

By the time you read this column on Sunday, I’ll now have been in South Africa, ten days. We were delayed in New York Wednesday night because of an engine problem and finally touched down in Durban on Friday. It is a beautiful time of the year – spring. Total time of air travel was 15 hours with an hour’s stopover in Senegal for refueling.

What does a typical American do when abroad? Purchase a throw-away camera and start taking pictures. Immediately, my eyes lighted upon several street workers. One, was tar coating the street bent over, with a short handle brush and another two, with wheel barrel, broom, shovel and very shy about being asked if I could take their picture. A broad smile by one of them is worth showing you via bulletin if it comes out. The scene reminded me of the DPW days back in the thirties.

The Augustinians have a lovely piece of property atop a hill overlooking a picturesque scenery called “The Valley of a Thousand Hills.” The sun is up at 4:45 and the temperature is in the seventies to eighties. As I look below (one to two football fields down and away), huts are being built, ever so primitive, without electricity or water, yet, a dwelling to live in. George Nammour, Bill Macleod and Roger Deschardin come to mind as I begin to think how they could develop that hill with basic amenities and name it after our newest Blessed, Mother Therese.

There is a rarely used railroad track below (I am told, Mahatma Gandhi traveled on his protest) which many walk to get to work. One can’t blame them for avoiding the steep roadways which have no parallel sidewalks. People walk for miles and seem to think nothing of it.

The pace is slower, for sure. What would ordinarily take five minutes in one of our banks in an exchange of currency, took all of a half hour and that was not waiting in line to get to the clerk.

Security is a thriving business. All of the neighbors have their barbed hot- wire, security entrance gate and fortress walls. It leads one to think one is not all that safe, at least not at night. It seems everyone has at least two dogs per household prowling their property at night for any uninvited guests. We have two dogs too. Having learned on a stick shift when in high school comes in handy as that is all we have here. Fr. Al

From a 2003 Visit:

Last Sunday we drove to Our Lady of Mercy Church in Kloof Natal from the Friary, a 15 minute drive. At homily time a layperson gave a marvelous talk on lay ministry in the Church today. He touched on an array of important works that can only be accomplished with lay involvement of time and talent working together.

“Priests,” he said, “need to relinquish a certain amount of control and decision-making to lay people. Laity needed to become adult members of God’s People and assume responsibility. We can no longer set a few people aside to do the Lord’s work while the rest of us go about our secular business. The Lord’s work is our business, whatever our daily tasks are.”

After that 8:00 o’clock Mass, Frs. Hattrick, Burrascano and I drive off towards the mission church of St. Leo, a half hour’s ride away and down the steepest, curving highway I’ve ever encountered and it lasted a couple of miles. People walk it and seemingly think little of it. At the mission, there are two cars parked near the church and one was ours. Yes, the all black congregation walks to church, as far away as 6 miles. I can’t imagine walking a total of 12 miles to go to church – maybe on my bike.

Coming to Mass is an opportunity to worship the Lord in their Sunday best, socialize and hear the latest news at announcement time. No one leaves early and the children are incredibly well-behaved, all seated together up front on the pulpit side. The children are catechized in another building and come into the church after homily time. After Mass we looked in inside their “classroom.” It contained some benches, had a cement floor and two gaping holes at each end of the barn roof. Unbelievably, there is neither electricity nor water for those who come to Mass and therefore, no bathroom facilities. Of all things, the church chairs were stolen. Crude wooden benches were the order of the day.

As you know, HIV/AIDS, is a huge problem in Africa. I heard, a minimum of at least one generation is lost, which brought me to notice a mix of cir. 200 people in this crowded building, they call a church. Very few men were present this day. A guesstimate of the average age of those present at Mass, I calculate to be 20 years of age. At Offertory time an usher goes through the congregation counting the raised hands of those wishing to receive Holy Communion.

After Mass one of the sodality members got up in front of the congregation and scolded them for making only two visits to a sick lady in the parish the past week. They took up a collection for her. People were putting in the equivalent of pennies which reminded me of the Widow’s mite in the gospel and how much it really was that they gave, as it was from their need. These Sodality Ladies are in much evidence with black hats, purple capes, black skirts and black shoes. A sodality medal is hung on a purple ribbon as part of their identification as well. The congregation truly is a faith-filled, timid and polite people.
Fr. Al

From a 2003 Visit:

We’re now back in Kloof for a lovely luncheon and a bottle of Augustinian wine. Off to the Friary (a fifteen minute ride) and back again for the 6:00 o’clock Mass which incidentally, is of the same style as our own 5:30 Mass. A table is set-up outside the front entrance to accommodate thirty or so tea cups, saucers and a pitcher of lemonade for those who would like to linger for some socializing.

On 11-12-03, Fr. Ed. took us to an orphanage ministered by Augustinian Sisters. It accommodates 45 boys from the ages of 18 to 2. These children have been abandoned, abused or have HIV. What dedication these Sisters have! The Superior bore her soul over a cup of tea about their need for a person who would relieve them of the many business tasks demanded by the government so that they can better use their time in attending to the needs of these children who will eventually have to face society and the work world.

From two weeks observation, I have come to think domestic help, security, guard dogs, sugarcane and tourist industry make up a sizeable part of the economy. A large portion of South Africa has suffered years of drought. An interesting headline in today’s paper reads, “A stolen car every five minutes” which I calculate, comes to cir. 105,000 per year. I believe a lot of them are smuggled across the boarders.

On 11-16-03, another lay person gave the talk at all of the Masses. This time the emphasis was on small groups, 5 to 8 or thereabouts, to gather weekly for prayer and community in their homes. On this Sunday, four of us (a lady who owns a motel and a young gentleman, new to the parish), leave for St. Leo Church, the second mission church.

The lady, a St. Vincent de Paul member, related with tears in her eyes the loss of an eight year employee whom she was fond of — suddenly dies a AIDS – all of a sudden, two weeks and she was gone. She related that 1 in 5 have Aids. I asked about the government’s role, as it is reported of holding back medicines for many of those who are infected. Presently, she said, the government is concentrating on pregnant mothers so that the next generation will not be lost too. The young gentleman was quite impressed with what he saw at the mission and inquired about going again.

St. Leo’s present structure can squeeze in cir. 300 parishioners – not an empty seat to be found. Cir. 60 children were in a separate building for instruction. They come into Mass after the homily. Again, one has to admire their neat clothing and behavior during Mass.

The diocese is building St. Leo’s a new church, four times the capacity of the old army barracks style, presently being used. This new church will be handed over to the people unfinished: a steel frame, roof, cement floor, cinder block walls and windows. That’s it! All the rest is up to the congregation to supply whenever and however that can be accomplished in the future.

It is natural for a mother to nurse her child at a restless moment. This time there were four cars in the “parking” lot. The little children would melt your heart.

On Monday afternoon, Fr. Tony and I head children’s confessions in Kloof. It’s exam time. School will be out shortly for a six week vacation. I am told summer will be in another week. On Wednesday, we were able to tour a Game Preserve, an hour and a half away. It is my first encounter with a hippopotamus, giraffes (20feet tall), wallabies, impala …

Fr. Al

From 2003 Visit

On 11/21 five of us concelebrate at funeral of an Augustinian, Sister Christopher. The Mass was reflective and reverent. Sister Francis, the Superior was not up to saying a few personal words at the end, as she was fearful of breaking down. The casket was of plain, unfinished pine. They do not embalm in South Africa.

Near the tabernacle is an electric light, not a sanctuary candle as is our U.S. custom. Although there were four servers at the funeral, there was no cross bearer, paschal candle, pall draped over the casket, nor a crucifix placed on the coffin, as is our custom.

At the cemetery, the obsequies having been completed, the funeral director hands Fr. Tony a trawl with dirt to be thrown on the casket, which symbolizes that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. I suppose the Lord thought we all needed a distraction, as the side of the grave gave way and Fr. Tony slipped out of sight with two Sisters nearby attempting to help him reappear.

No one left the burial site after the prayers, as is our custom. The Sisters sang hymns while workers filled in the grave. Philemon, the Sisters’ caretaker also joined in the burial rite. I was told that it is a Zulu custom for the father (in this case, the Sisters’ caretaker), of the family to partake in this rite. It was truly a solemn moment and only when completed, did we leave the cemetery.

11/23, I count four 60 watt bulbs in the ceiling at St. Leo Church where 11 adults take their first step in RCIA and 11 children receive First Eucharist. It was a thrilling event for the Church at Emolweni. Afterwards, Fr. Ed attended a Pastoral Council meeting while 110 care packages were being distributed in a nearby building. Eligible families are those who have no one working in the household.

I inquired of two Augustinians, Sisters Maria and Francis, what they thought the burning issues of South Africa are. Here are some of their responses:
a) HIV/AIDS. Vaccine for HIV patients and education. HOSPICE for the dying.
b) Unemployment. Vocational school training for jobs. Bribing officials.
c) The issue of children, fast becoming heads of households.
a) Restore self-respect for the Zulu people. They have deep faith.
b) Harmonize Zulu culture in light of the Gospel message.
c) Priests with 6 or 7 outposts who have inadequate financial skill; isolation.

11/28, We’re off to Pomeroy to visit the Augustinian Sisters’ clinic where they treat upwards of 200 patients a day with all kinds of illnesses: scabbing of children resulting from contact playing on their household dung floor, emphysema, dysentery, HIV/AIDS … We attended a graduation ceremony of 28 women who had completed a course on becoming caretakers of the dying. Quite an achievement! What a wonderful ministry these Sisters provide for the community.

11/30, I celebrated the 8:00 o’clock Mass at St. Dominic Parish, then to St. Helen’s for the 10:30 Mass where 25 precious boys and girls received First Eucharist. A respectful atmosphere was maintained as a party was provided in front of the sanctuary where a lovely treat was in store for the adorably dressed Communicants.

In the back of the church gardening tools were handed out to those who are involved in a program of growing their own vegetables. It is hoped that this program will eliminate the biweekly handouts. The potential is this: for $1,500, training, tools, know-how and seeds can provide food, sufficient for 120 people or 60 families. Growing season is year round.

Summer vacation began last Friday and will continue for six weeks. There you have it as I wind down my stay in South Africa. It has been a once in a lifetime experience that gives one much to think and pray about.

Fr. Al

Post script.

The above articles are for bulletin publication. This “post script” is so that I’ll not let slip from memory, my last outback experience of 12/03.

At 10:00 o’clock Fr. Hattrick and I drive to St. Helen Mission boundaries and meet Cecilia at roadside, a genuine apostle who walks for miles visiting families in need.
First, we drive to her home up the road a bit, to a simple one room dwelling where cooking, relaxation, work and sleep take place. I engaged Cecilia’s daughter (cir. 14) in conversation after we unloaded the car trunk of basic food items. Zulu goals are like ours. When I found out she wanted to be a TV commentator that became my cue to engage her in a practice session of rapid-fire questions. She took me up on it. And what would you say to all of Africa, I asked her. Without missing a beat, “I would tell them not to engage in sex as the consequences are deadly and your opportunities in life will become as a lit candle facing a strong wind. She was bright and engaging. Needless to say, I was impressed.

At the next stop, we turned off the macadam road to a narrow clay road, avoiding ruts caused by a recent drenching. When we had gone as far as possible by car, we trekked a path for another 13 minutes (I timed it). We had to cross another person’s property in order to get there. Before doing so though, the custom is to greet and get permission from the landowner. We did.

Upon arrival we are greeted by two girls studying under a tree, farther on two boys are playing on the hill side in front of the dwelling. A sickly lady greets us from inside. We chat for awhile. Leave the food package and onto the next dwelling.

The next visit was the saddest of all. In this dwelling, two shy boys, brothers, ages 11 and 14, live alone. Both parents are deceased. They looked to be ages 8 and 11, so undernourished were they. The oldest inquired about a job. He wanted to be a soccer star. Fr. Ed offered to pay him to cultivate the land under supervision of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He readily accepted.

Our last visit was at a dwelling of five children, a lady who is HIV positive and the mother. The children are engaging, shy and smiling all at the same time. From them, two wanted to be nurses. I blessed the lady who will most likely be dead in a week or two. We leave food, drop off Cecilia and continue home in a reflective, sobering, mixed emotion state.

Fr. Al