One of HHTH's missions is to distribute Mosquito Nets. Malaria is still a thing to fear for the people across the eastern area of Africa. Our Venda Villages are in such a high "Mossi" (as they call the mosquitos) area, there are Malaria alert signs to warn people. Because of the compassion of Mike and Cathy McCarthy, HHTH is able to distribute 250 nets a year. The Women's Christian Service group at Kenwood Church also support this effort.
We communicate with the Headman of each Village how many nets for his village and they are asked to select the poorest of the poor to receive them. Above is the chosen group for Tshikuyu. They are mostly pregnant women, or women with small children whom they sleep with. Therefore, a mother and one or two children can be saved. Also, the vulnerable elderly are tended to.
In Bileni, we met up with Headman Alfred's helper, Victor, and he took us around to distribute the nets to the Creche care giver and other people at their huts. When we pass between two huge boulders to get to Bileni, we feel as if we have passed through an ancient portal that pushed us back through time to the Stone Age. If it weren't for the modern clothes, we would lose sense of our connection to this world. It is like a "hot planet" of sand and stone. All other forms of life seem to have withered away from the extreme heat.
Here an elderly man eagerly comes to get his net from Victor.
Hennie, as seen on the left, is part of our Mosquito Story. He has been a vital part of our work on the "Dark Continent" since we started.
Even though Hennie is the very busy Executive Director for about 15 luxury lodges and tent camps for Trans-Frontier Parks Destinations TFPD), he asked me to keep him in our "loop." He helps us throughout the year with storage, accepting our almost confiscated shipments, (twice now), moving it, and helping us get around in their complicated system. He also takes the time to find us the best deal on mosquito nets as they can be quite expensive. He orders the 250 nets and holds them for us until we get to South Africa. His kindness and practical assistance helps us immeasurably. A simple thing like finding a day laborer to help us load and unload our trailer is made easier. I just wanted to let you know there are so many behind the scene people that we rely on and who come through for us time and time again. There are many here in the states as well. Giving people, who care. We are grateful for all of you.
Until next time... Cheers from The Bush...
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