The images cannot depict the sadness in the eyes and the depth of the despair, but they are what I have to help you understand the plight of these beautiful children.

 When we arrived at Nhlengelo there were some caregives waiting to meet us. They sang beautiful African gospel music and danced for us.

 Maitland DiPinto, Director for Hope for Humanity with Mama Mawela, wife of the founder, Paul (Papa) Mewela.

These caregivers work the first year with no pay and then get 500 Rand ($83 US) per month. They work five to seven days a week, eight

hour days caring for the elderly, the sick and the dying. Many walk a far as 3 kilometers each way to work, then walk to the homes they visit

and if needed, walk to the clinics to get medicine or supplies. They come from a number of Christian churches in the area, but have all said,

when asked why they do what they do, something about "it is what God has called me to do." Their dedication in the face of overwhelming

odds is staggering. Many of them have husbands at home dying of aids or have already lost family members to the disease.  Yet they sing!

Loren Nelson, from Michigan           These women were out in                This is our group who visited in the homes. The two on the

greeting a caregiver                         back of the Lapa every day                bottom left, and the one to my right were fifth year med

                                               working, I did not see any men working...          students from Australia on a mission rotation.

                                                                             All orphaned by HIV-AIDS

A child-head of houshold with her brother