17th Day 10 April 2010
project visit Lubulini
We could write this day a standard travelogue: Then we would say that we are from 7.15 am to 20:45 clock Clock in the regional development project Lubulini were traveling and were accompanied by Francis, the head of the project area, and its employees. We heard from a focus on the work of World Vision in Lubulini, which are food, water and sanitation and HIV / AIDS. Since 2005, World Vision in Lubulini for almost 20,000 people (mostly children and young people) are active.
We also visited one of those eight wells, which were financed by a special donation to the godmothers last trip to Swaziland in 2008 and now provides clean water for 55 households. Part of the group then visited a school that is barely 10 km away from the main road was. Due to a sudden rain event the night before the roads were muddy and not passable by bus, so we had to change trains in pickup trucks to go to school. Although it was Saturday, there were many children and their teachers, sang for us, showed us their school and were pleased with the gifts (of more tables and chairs from a special donation and school supplies and balls).
Then we finally met with our sponsored children who waited patiently for more than two hours on us because we were due to poor road conditions, excessive delay. After a briefing by Francis on the project area and the main topics were the godparents at last see their godchildren. They greeted us with a song and held up their badges until they were picked up by us. In a large tent was (with the assistance of project staff as interpreters) chatted, laughed, ate and played. The children and their families enjoyed the gifts we had brought for them. All too soon the time passed and after a long farewell, we were back on the bus to visit the nearest stations. 
In a day care center for orphans - actually a meeting place under a tree with an open Cooking, for there was not a building - we met about 50 children and their care persons. We were welcomed with a song and a dance and demonstrated how difficult the situation for orphans (particularly HIV / AIDS orphans) and the village community. The small children of their older siblings in the morning taken to the children after school meeting place and picked up again. Many young people must in fact take the role of parents when they are dead. During the day the children are looked after by women from the village to cook them too. We handed over the food we had bought (rice, flour, beans, carrots, pumpkins, potatoes, Onions, apples, oil, salt, pepper). end - it was already dark - we have met with a group who uses donkeys to fetch water from a distant water source. We were greeted not only by the village elders, but also by the Chief in person, which is a great of respect. We learned how important the issue of water in daily life and how great the need still is.
came in the late evening we were tired and exhausted back to the hotel.
We could describe but instead of the travelogue and just our impressions to the present day:
dry bush, and in the middle of nowhere a well, women have large 20-liter jerry cans, which they then fill with clean drinking water. A matter of course for us, but not in Lubulini. For there is still water bodies and animal use in common, but this dirty water is better than thirst. It's nice to see for ourselves that our efforts have paid off. Although the representatives of the community are very reserved, will feel the importance of this well for them. 
On a small hill in the heat of the African sun for a school: happy children in their school clothes, the curious ahead of us and for us to sing and dance. Despite their tattered clothes and shoes mostly missing, they radiate happiness. In the classroom, the children sit quietly and seriously wide-eyed at their tables. If they even have tables and chairs, many of the plastic chairs have been broken, the seat part is broken or missing entirely, so that the students have to sit on the metal frame. But even that is better than the children of the first and 2 Class have: It is harrowing to see how the children kneel on the cold, hard concrete floor, aneinandergekauert closely in the narrow, dark classrooms, in front of wooden benches, which must, however, serve as a table. It is inconceivable to us that these kids still like to go to school. 
The highlight of the day: our meeting with the sponsored children. Loud cheers are heard, brilliant people flock to us and welcomed us warmly. They are the members of our sponsored children who are happy about our coming. And then we see the little ones: a shy glance, a first, tender smile, a gentle handshake. When chatting with the children and their family members are interested, visible from modest restraint and respect us. We talk about how we live and Austria, and learn that the little ones often 5 to 7 km to go to school and take the older heavy 20-liter jerry cans on their head home. They complain not only felt joy and gratitude. But the surprise that there are people in a faraway land there, where they mean something and they like without knowing it. The atmosphere is like a cozy family party on a bright and beautiful Saturday afternoon with guests from the Far Austria. We have endowed our sponsored children, and yet we have received even more gifts: big, bright eyes, joy in playing together, taking the cautious and pressures of our hands, a deep and heartfelt embrace. It's amazing how happy and satisfied these people live in their humble surroundings. 
It goes to a daycare center: We expected a brick house where the little orphan children can spend the day and get a hot meal before they go back alone or with their larger siblings in their shack. But we look out in vain for a house. About 50 children and some women of the community come together under a tree. It is cooked on an open fire, surrounded by a windbreak of corrugated iron. Younger children enjoy our huge balls and romp around in the joint ball, others to run and jump the balloons afterwards. A six year old girl - in a tattered gown and barefoot - with the little brother on the arm, another small round stumbles and cries heart-rending. Many great children's eyes are looking at with a desperation and sincerity, so do not like to fit the age of the children. Under the tree sits lonely and alone a young lad, he is blind and therefore can not even learn to read and write. Thank God it's not raining today, otherwise unable to raise the children come to the meeting place and would eat anything. The women stand at the edge of the group and look serious. To make the patient endurance of women, the most of their lives and the fate of orphans, is palpable. When we hand them the food we bought, tears in their eyes and they embrace us dearly. A bridge between people, not the different can live, is built so quickly - through awareness and humanity. 
It is already dark when we meet with some village elders in their community center. An old man with a serious look, leaning on his stick is up the hill and joins us. It is the Chief, and his coming shows his respect and appreciation for us. Even in the short time of our visit, we feel the warmth of Swazis, their joy at Interest and hope for help through World Vision. Our field visit is over. But the happy laughter of children, while her sad eyes, the modest hope of the women and the conservative desire to support the men accompany us home.
Judith and Gerhard Brunner
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