Yebo Hampton

D9

By Mark Bettle

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"Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it." Eliza Tabor.

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The new rototiller creates a lot of dust as it digs up the dry African soil.

Upon returning to Piggs Peak from Hampton in mid June, Nontokozo Dlamini wrote to us of her disappointment in finding out she was declined for enrollment into University of Swaziland. Those of you who met Nontokozo will remember her goal to attend university, become a doctor and help the people of Swaziland, where the onslaught of AIDS has reduced life expectancy to 33 years. While Nontokozo qualified for admission in most respects, her mark in Physics did not meet the standard for entry into a Bachelor of Science program. But, having a noble soul, Nontokozo was not discouraged or deterred. Instead, she enrolled in an upgrading course to improve her mark and allow her to be accepted into U of S next year. John Lovett says, "I am sure that everyone in Hampton will be pleased to hear this news about their own very special adopted African daughter. This is one starfish for whom we are making a difference" (In her recent note Nontokozo writes that she misses her friends in Hampton and sends us her love.)

In other news, the money raised at the Hampton fundraising dinner has been utilized as planned. John bought a rototiller to begin the vegetable garden project to provide food for the sick and hungry children in Piggs Peak. John writes, "The rototiller was put to work right away. The soil is very dry and we need some rain, so we are working in a cloud of dust as we prepare the land for planting. We tilled almost a hectare of land on the first day in less than two hours. This is the first section of the land which is to be used for an orphans' garden".

John also tells us "our woodworking shop is going well and needs very little supervision from me. Alfred is doing a great job of running it and it is self-sustaining now with the boys earning a wage as they become proficient in gaining skills." While visiting Hampton, John told us how unemployment resulting from a lack of practical skills is contributing to an environment that perpetuates the AIDS pandemic in Swaziland. This workshop created by John, and supported by the Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership, will help break the cycle of unemployment, poverty and disease in Piggs Peak. John has now turned over the operation of the shop to a colleague.

The dynamics surrounding the spread of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland are complex. But we know that providing education, food, and employment are crucial to begin the healing of the country. If you would like more information or are interested in making a donation to the Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership, please visit our website at www.hamptonpiggspeak.ca or call Mark Bettle at 506-832-0003.