Birthday Wishes

My friend Samantha and I were getting ready for our own birthday party when I got a phone call from Stuart Farrow, a Rotarian from the King William’s Town club and a member of parliament in South Africa. The evening before I had made a short presentation at the Rotary Club and had mentioned my research on HIV and AIDS treatment and care. Stuart explained that the following day was Nelson Mandela’s birthday, and so South Africans across the country were spending 67 (the number of years he has served South Africa and the world) minutes doing community service. Stuart was heading to an HIV and AIDS clinic in one of the townships, and invited me to go along.
Of course I jumped at the chance and so found myself amongst the singing and dancing at New Haven Wellness Center. Stuart and his fellow party members, from the Democratic Alliance, had brought 67 kilograms of food donations for the clinic, which has about 40 beds for palliative care, plus feeding, counseling and support groups programs.
The clinic, which has a lovely homey feel, is run by volunteers. Think about that – think about caring for over 40 terminally ill patients, feeding hundreds of children, providing counseling to people facing stigma and denial, going out and visiting sick people in their homes… all voluntarily. UNAIDS estimates 90 percent of AIDS care in Africa is done by volunteers and family members – who are almost exclusively poor women. Why? Because they are the ones that are there, who care, who are committed to helping their loved ones and fellow community members. In many cases there is no one else willing to help. The support they receive from government is minimal. The need is exponential.
As I danced with the children and chatted with the nurses, I thought it was a perfect way to recognize Mandela’s birthday. After all it is these people, in the communities, that are nurturing his vision of a free and just South Africa.


As many of you may know, Wednesday is my birthday. Once again, I’d like to humbly ask that instead o f gifts or cards, those of you who wish to celebrate with me please make a donation to the organization that represents my own little vision of a better world – Emmanuel Center. You can donate online here