Red Cross and Local Orphans

For the majority of our stay in Zimbabwe, we were in the area of Hwange, staying at the Miambo Lodge. Just a kilometer and a half away, is the community of Dete, a village of 4,000 on the lower end of the economic spectrum. The most shocking and tragic fact was that out of this village of 4,000, there were over 300 orphans or single parent children, due to the destructive AIDS virus that is sweeping the country. Many of these children also have contracted the AIDS/HIV virus. So, the local Red Cross recieves international aide, and provides an orphan feeding three times a week. We were fortunate enough to be able toparticipate in this. It was heartbreaking to see so many parentless children. Many of them live in child-run households now, where an older sibling takes care of all the younger ones, taking over the parenting role after theirs have passed away. These kids have no money, little food, and few clothes, but the smiles on their faces, and optimistic outlooks were so inspirational and touching. They were so excited to see white people (kiwa), and whenever we drove through the village, we felt like Miss America, as hordes of adorable children would run after us, jumping up and down, singing, dancing, and yelling "KIWA KIWA!!!" at the tops of their voices.