No Child Should Live or Die Alone
 

Goals For The Children

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Words or statistics cannot adequately capture the human tragedy of the children...lost, abandoned, sick, ignored and grieving for deceased loved ones.

TB, pneumonia, or even common childhood diseases can be too much for an extended family to bear...so... the child becomes homeless and alone on the streets...stigmatized by society through their association with HIV/AIDS.

Whatever the reason - the results are the same. These children are always left alone.

Children have to care for children and they struggle without services or a support system of any kind. They live, unprotected, in impoverished communities surrounded by violence and despair.

After ten years of work, experimentation, volunteerism, civic pride and care,
the Sparrow Village concept became a reality.

You will be able to adopt a child's medical expenses for a few pennies a day.

You will not save most of these children.

You can give these babies a painless, joy filled, warm and caring last few months.

A dignity in dying. A loving death.

No Child Should Die Alone

Nomsa was found near death. She had been clinging to her mother, who had died four days before they were found. With care and medicine, Nomsa lived her last days surrounded by love, warmth and smiles.

Without the safety of Sparrow, Nomsa would have been either on the streets or in a hospital waiting to die alone, in pain and in fear.

"We can make a difference!"

Caring for Parents

Prevention and treatment of infections can prolong the life of the infected parent and allows them to care for their children as they prepare them and themselves for the end. By caring for the family we can postpone the age at which children are orphaned, and let them know they are loved and will be cared for by others.

Preparing families for transition

Parents must be supported as they plan the best possible future for their children. Steps include planning for guardians and giving clear instructions about the children's future. Families need counseling to understand their feelings of anxiety and vulnerability and economic support to overcome the loss of income due to illness.

Ensuring the children's future

Access to education and life skills is the basis for enabling children to attain a better livelihood. Young people are more likely to become vulnerable to missing school days because they are caring for their sick families. At Sparrow we help take care of the families and make sure that all children, even the very sick attend school everyday ... for as long as they can. It adds to the quality of their lives and prepares them for the possibility of a cure.

The following stories are of children that need your support. Some are very sick and need medicine to take away the pain and allow them to get out of bed. Some just need to know they are loved. These stories and pictures will be periodically updated in hopes that you will find a child to support.

Please pray for these wonderful spirits.

Abongile is now 5 years old and has a happy "glint" in her eye all the time. She loves going to school and is a very precious little girl. Abongile really knows how to live each moment to the fullest!

Ernest is 3 years old. He came to us very sick and weak. With treatment he is doing well and everyone is enjoying his sweet personality.

Nomathemba is 8 years old. She has been very ill and in hospice. This sweet faced child was released recently and is so happy to be back with her loving housemother, Gugu and her many friends. She is now in first grade and doing fabulously.

Phindile is almost three years old. A sweeter face is hard to find. She loves playing hide and seek and peek-a-boo with anyone who is willing. Her laugh is very joyful and full of love. She is now walking and exploring everything in her path.

Pule lost his mother and twin brother to AIDS. Pule weighed only three pounds when he was brought to the hospice at age two. He has been very ill in the past, but has surprised the staff by his determination to always get better. One of the adult female patients at the hospice 'adopted' Pule. They were very attached to one another, but she recently passed away...leaving Pule alone looking for warm arms and love.

Sylvia is 8 years old. She loves school and enjoys being with her friends. Her best friend is Nomathemba. Her favorite things to eat are yogurt and of course ... chocolate.

Thato is 7 years old. This wide eyed little boy is in the hospice at the moment. He is struggling with a very bad chest infection and a severe heart problem - yet he always has a great smile on his face. We have nicknamed him 'Nelson Mandela' because of his giving spirit- he is very proud of his new name.

Thuli is a 5 year old little girl. A sweet child who will inform you her name is Thuli with great authority. She is a delightful, funny little girl.

"Gauge a country’s humanity by the treatment of it's children."
                                                                                                                                  Carol Conley Ruggie

Are we part of a civilized world ...

...if we can stand by and let these children die alone?