The Caregivers

Today we were able to spend another day in the field visiting Caregivers. These people are truly amazing. As we arrived in the village today, about 150 Caregivers had gathered under a huge tree at the edge of the main village area. This is a large part of the Caregivers that serve a community of about 15,000 people. Again, we were met with many smiles and handshakes, as well as singing and dancing. It’s a bit overwhelming to be welcomed in such a way. After all the introductions, the group wanted to hear a speech from us, their guests, and unfortunately, I was sitting in the wrong seat. As you all know, I am not the most eloquent person in the world, and words of wisdom were apparently required. I did my best, and while they weren’t words of wisdom, and can at least hope that they did nothing to negatively reflect on the amazing work they do. At least I remembered not to use “you all” in a sentence. Can’t imagine that translates well to the local language.

The Caregivers did skits showing what they do, and how they care for people. They were both funny, and very sad. They then shared about their needs, their challenges, and answered many questions from us about their roles. I could probably go on for pages about this meeting, and none of my words could adequately describe the overwhelming sense of compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm these people have for their work and their community.

Rather than use my words, let me use theirs. When answering the question, “What do you enjoy most about being a Caregiver?” one gentleman responded with the following: “I like my work. I often think of all the suffering and problems we have. I think about my children, and think that one day they will become orphans. I wonder who will care for them. I have ideas in my head about how to have community transformation, so that everyone knows we can all potentially be orphans. One day, I will need someone to care for me, and for my children. I am a Caregiver, because one day, I will need someone to care for me.” In both today’s meetings, and yesterday’s, we asked the groups how long they planned to be Caregivers. Without exception, the groups looked at us like we had asked the world’s dumbest question. One woman today responded, “Why would we stop being Caregivers? Our communities need us. I will never stop.”

Imagine sitting under a large tree on a wooden bench, hearing these words from people. The same people who just greeted you as if you were a dignitary, and from whom they wanted to hear great words of greeting and wisdom. Imagine them occasionally breaking into songs, made up on the spot, about how excited they are to have you come, and their excitement for the tools that you send them to carry on their work.

For those of you who have attended Caregiver Kit builds at your churches or schools, these are the people you are supporting. You know what goes in the kits – a few cotton balls, some notebooks, washcloths, medicines, flashlight, a prayer or encouragement card, etc. These are the tools these courageous people use to transform their communities. The prayer / encouragement card is carried around and read over and over again, until it falls apart. It is their link to you, and they value it immensely. You probably didn’t think about it when you filled out your card, but your words are treasured and made powerful through the work done here.

I don’t really remember what I said to them (speaking with no preparation in front of a rather large group can do that to you), other than at some point, I said I hoped to be able to capture everything they would share in a way that would allow me to effectively share their compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm to everyone from my home. I hope in the last two postings, I’ve been able to do just that. The next time you attend a Caregiver Kit build and enclose a prayer card in the kit, think about 150 smiling faces, under a large shade tree, singing and dancing in the face of adversity, with only a small kit and possibly a bicycle as weapons in the fight. These are the people who are educating the world about HIV / AIDS, caring for the disease’s victims, and caring for their children.

After our meeting, we had a quick tour of the local clinic (small clinic serving 15,000 people with the nearest district hospital 43km away), and were then served lunch. The clinic was in poor repair and had nearly nothing. I can’t imagine being treated there.

Lunch was prepared by the local community. We ate in one of their buildings made of mud / clay with a thatched roof. The food was very good. I’ve never had pumpkin leaves, nshima (a grain based food eaten with everything here), and goat, among other things. All washed down with Coca Cola. Even in the middle of Africa, Coke Is It (is that their tag line?)