SPOTLIGHT ON OUR RECENT DONORS:

Nomfundo Msibi is a strong young girl.  The 1st time I met Nomfundo, she was sitting in her homestead (tiny 3 room house: no bathroom made of a mixture of cow dung, sticks, & clay mud) with her younger brother & sister.  She was 14, a double orphan thanks to AIDS.  Alone, she was taking care of her 9yr old brother and 12yr old sister.  When I asked her about a typical day, if I did not see her with my own eyes, I would have sworn this young girl was a lot older than her years.  She spoke of waking up early to tend to the fields & scrape together whatever food stuff they could for breakfast - but most days the young family of 3 walked to school hungry.  After a long day at school with a grumbling tummy, she makes the trek home to clean her only school uniform for the next day, help her siblings on their homework by candlelight since they have no electricity, and try not to think of her constant state of hunger.  When asked what the hardest part of her day was - she said it is when her little brother and sister come to her asking for food & she has nothing to give them. 

But pity is not what she was asking for - she was asking for a chance at a future outside of poverty.  She was asking for the ability to see the chalkboard at school so she could continue making stellar grades (she is top in her class), & she was asking for a chance to continue her education & become a pediatric nurse (her dream for her future).  We all know that no one makes it to their dreams alone - everyone needs a little helping hand along the way.  The GHFP team KNOWS that she can make her dream a reality with a little hand-up.  Under the guidance of past service-learning participant Katie Vahle, the Delta Gamma sorority at Purdue University believed in Nomfundo as well.  The girls raised $300 to allow Nomfundo to travel into town to an eye doctor.  She was given a thorough exam & it was discovered that she had a severe allergy causing her eyes to swell & therefore she couldn't see the board at school & was in pain.  The doctor prescribed her medicinal eye drops & sunglasses she is to wear every time she is outside - all made possible by the DG donation.   Thank you for your contribution! (the eye doctor's (left) and GHFP volunteer Kristen Busenbark with Nomfundo after her appointment (right))
      
 

Join us and fight poverty - SNEAK PEEK!!!

Official GHFP Service-Learning 2012 recruitment will begin on October 28th.  But we wanted to invite YOU - friends and family - first! 
Volunteers are welcome to sign up on a first-come first-serve basis, so be sure to reserve your spot on your preferred trip before official recruitment begins!
Regardless of whether you are a professional or a student, you're invited to join a team on a journey to Africa to dedicate your time & skills to a community of orphaned children struggling with poverty, HIV & illiteracy. These trips will be tailored to meet the needs of the local Africans while remaining cognizant of your skills including: education, engineering, healthcare, counseling & art/design!