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The Hampton River Runners helped buy these swings for the children of Piggs Peak.

John Lovett, our Canadian friend currently living in Piggs Peak, writes to us about the success of one of our projects to alleviate the impact of HIV/AIDS in the town. Over a year ago our partnership provided funding to Piggs Peak Town Council to install playground equipment. This was partially sponsored by the Hampton River Runners, Hampton's running club and perennial supporter of athletics in Hampton.

John writes, "There are a total of eight swings in two separate locations and they are in constant use by the children. In my opinion, money well spent."

How does a set of swings help prevent HIV/AIDS? A study "What is driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Swaziland" highlighted the lack of recreational opportunities as a driver of the epidemic in Swaziland. Just as sports and recreational activities are recognized in Canada as a way of "keeping kids off the streets," the same holds true in Swaziland, only the stakes are much, much higher.

Children who are unsupervised and unoccupied are more likely to engage in high risk behaviour that will increase the likelihood of contacting HIV, and in Swaziland that is a virtual death sentence. Who would think that something as simple as a playground could very well mean the difference between life and death?

Well, the Hampton River Runners have once again shown they recognize the importance of supporting recreational activities in our extended community of Piggs Peak by making another substantial donation to the Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership. Thank you very much to the HRR for their ongoing support.

The partnership has some exciting news to share. As regular readers of this column will know, there have been a number of people from Hampton who have visited Piggs Peak in the past.

We have also had short drop-ins from a couple of guests from Swaziland in conjunction with our partnership. But our relationship will soon be entering a new phase as we welcome two visitors from Piggs Peak for an extended visit. From mid-May to late-June Hampton will enjoy hosting John Lovett and Nontokozo Dlamini, a recent graduate of Fundukuwela High School.

We will try to make sure there are ample opportunities for the people in the Hampton area to meet John and Nontokozo and hear first hand about life in Piggs Peak and the challenges they face. Stay tuned for further information.

To learn more about the partnership or make a donation to support one of the projects, visit the website at www.hamptonpiggspeak.ca or contact Mark Bettle at 832-0003.