The only way in which I feel I might truly face the realities of the AIDS pandemic across Africa is through some sort of participation. There are many ways to do so, but here is my favourite.

Hands at Work in Africa. The individuals that make up Hands work very hard at starting Home Based Care initiatives in the small communities across the continent. Home Based Care does what it says, it keeps orphans in their homes while mobilizing the community to care for their needs.

The incredible advantage to home-based care is that it does not further seperate orphans from extended family members – instead the children remain closer to their aunts and uncles, grandparents and friends. Secondly the cost to maintain a child in their home environment is far less than the cost to remove them to an orphanage. At present, Hands At Work is caring for over 14 000 children at a resource level that would not care for 1400 in an orphanage.

It does not hurt that George Snyman, the director of Hands at Work, is an inspiring fellow. A former IT guy, a white South African, he one day went for a walk – over the next few weeks and months he visited the mud huts of hundreds of individuals and faced the realities of AIDS not as a concept, but as individuals. If you watch this video you can hear the story for yourself. Heather Yourex, a Canadian Mid-Term Volunteer and Journalist recently put this together:

One by One from Heather Yourex on Vimeo.

Canada looks like a toque, two sizes too small …

Some countries look like they could use a jog around the block, and forego the double-chocolate cake for desserts …

But where did a whole continent go?

Mark Crocker

I used the video function on my 3 meg point and shoot camera for the images and audio.

It was helpful for teams as they prepared to go – sometimes something this simple, just a quick peek at what the destination and the work actually looks like, is helpful for participants as they ready themselves.

Click here to download the video at a higher resolution

I find it so very interesting how we tend to see what we are looking for, while at the same time, some of the most unusual and interesting things may actually be happening! This is so very similar to international work. What we think is happening, is often peripheral to the important actualities. It is only when we refocus, that it is blatantly obvious.

This all too often is the case when we evaluate our effectiveness in the international world, I often use a hour-long game that brings out the realities of this issue regarding partnership issues … we think we are paying attention to what is important, all the while missing the most important issues. Contact me, if you want to run through the partnership exercise sometime

Although I have not normally been a big Gorillaz fan, this song seems to say something to me …

the lyrics are after the jump

Dirty Harry Lyrics

I need a gun to keep myself from harm

The poor people are burning in the sun

But they ain’t got a chance

They ain’t got a chance

I need a gun

Cos all I do is dance

Cos all I do is dance

I need a gun to keep myself from harm

The poor people are burning in the sun

No, they ain’t got a chance

They ain’t got a chance

I need a gun

Cos all I do is dance

Cos all I do is dance

In my backpack

I got my act right

In case you act quite difficult

And your result weakin’

With anger and discontent

Some are seeking and searching of like nimoy

I’m a peace-loving decoy

Ready for retaliation

I change your whole location to pine box/six-under

Impulsive don’t ask why I wonder

Orders given to me is

strike and I’m thunder with lightning fast reflexes on constant alert

from the constant hurt that seems limitless with no drop in pressure

It Seeming like everybody is out to test ya

’til they see your brake

You can’t conceal the hate

That consumes you

I’m the reason why you fill up your Isuzu

Chill with your old lady at the tilt

I got a 90 day visit

And I’m filled with guilt

From things that I’ve seen

Your water’s from a bottle

mine’s from a canteen

At night I hear the shots

Ring so I’m a light sleeper

The cost of life seem to get cheaper

out in the desert

with my street sweeper

The war is over

So said the speaker,

with a flight suit on

Maybe to him I’m just a pawn

So he can advance

Remember when we use to dance

All I want to do is dance

(Dance!)

(Dance!)

(Dance!)

I need a gun to keep myself from harm

love it!