On the second day of my trip to Swaziland, we visited a total of four carepoints. This is a lot considering it takes several hours just to say ‘Hi’ to the many many kids at one carepoint. Below are four kids I met that had a personal impact on me from two carepoints visited that day, Thembini and Mpholi.
This little girl from Thembini in the white sweater was shy for about 15 seconds. She warmed up to me very quickly, and was sitting in my lap in no time. When I got up to move around, she wanted me to hold her. So I did. My arms were in shape since I am often carrying one (or two) of my own children. And when it was time for me to leave she did NOT want me to put her down. So she would fully pull her legs up such that I had to place her on the ground. Her tactic worked a few times, because it was difficult to put her down knowing that the holding time she received that day is some of the few moments of holding she would receive in her life. Plus I enjoy holding the kids. I am glad this carepoint is fully supported by a church in the United States, and has visitors come a couple times a year to spend time with the children and people at this carepoint.
The next child is an older girl who was hanging out at the carepoint. I was able to say hello to her, and she responded with a shy reply. There were a few other kids her age at the carepoint, but this girl was isolated. She seemed lonely and sad. Maybe on a warmer, brighter day with more kids around she has some others to interact with. But my heart went out to her because she seemed like one of those kids who gets isolated because they are different in some way. I am glad she has access to a really good carepoint.
The picture below is the first child I met at our carepoint, Ludlati. Evidence of his adventurous spirit is marked in scars and dirt on his face and legs. He loved to climb the dirt hill and run down. He was happy to shake hands and give a smile. You can see him in the Ludlati video showing more expressive clapping and stomping while the kids where singing. He was a fun little boy.
We really like this second picture of him taken by Hannah Leman. To us this picture is an artistic expression of hope for children climbing out of the dirt reaching for a brighter future. I look forward to seeing him again on our next trip to visit our carepoint. I hope some of you will make plans to come along on the next trip to meet him as well.
If you have followed our blog entries about the trip, you have seen this young lady carrying her baby sister on her back. 
She is actually one of the older children watching a younger sibling. I heard and read about these circumstances, and felt sad, and wanted to do something to help. When I meet this circumstance face to face, yes I felt sad, but I was impacted in my mind, heart and gut. This girl and her baby sister’s cry are permanently marked in my soul. Now these kids are my neighbors. Now I really really want to do the right things to help, and I am thankful you are along since I can not do what is needed by myself. It’s one thing for a child to learn to care for a younger sibling, but it’s too much for a child to be the provider and protector of their siblings. This young girl does what she has to do (I hope it is not the worst of things) to take care of her sister. Thankfully she has Mpholi carepoint as a life saving resource and support for her. I look forward to seeing our collective support, letters, visits and actions of love sent to Ludlati in the near future.
There are many more children I want to share in future posts…
Young Lady and Her Baby Sister from KnownToMe on Vimeo.
