Lydia and Neo

I introduced you to Lydia and Neo last year. Lydia has been HIV positive for 15 years and her son Neo, 6 years old, is also HIV positive. Lydia is a member of the HIV/AIDS Support Group at the JL Zwane centre and when she is feeling good she volunteers as an AIDS educator at Neo's primary school. Over the past 6 months when I was in Minneapolis, my friend Mel would keep me updated on Lydia and Neo. Their health is like being on a major roller coaster ride. Each week it would seem that it was either Lydia or Neo going to the hospital. Both Lydia and Neo struggle with their ARV treatments, Neo suffers from epileptic seizures and Lydia also has breast cancer. Before I returned home last March I brought a group from Minneapolis, Arm In Arm in Africa, a non-profit that raises money and awareness to assist with food, education, hospice and health related issues to people living in Guguletu and Malungeni (the home of Rev. Spiwo Xapile, minister and founder of the JL Zwane Community Church and the JL Zwane Centre, in the Eastern Cape) to visit Lydia. At the time of their visit Lydia's home (her shack) was becoming a health hazard. The shack had mold, a leaking roof, was drafty and did not protect them from the outside elements. The JL Zwane Centre had been trying to do what they could to help Lydia with small repairs but it was becoming apparent that the small repairs were not enough anymore. AIAIA to the rescue! They very generously offered to build a new home for Lydia and Neo. This was a dream come true, they were going to have a new home! We hired a local builder, Ikhayalami, who were so moved by Lydia's situation that they reduced the cost of the shack and even threw in extra cladding! The new home is made of zinc, has windows, a door, flooring and is safe from the outside elements. You may be picturing a home with a separate bedroom, bathroom and kitchen like the homes we live in but the shacks in the townships are normally one room without plumbing. They do have electricity so they have lighting and the ability to cook food and watch TV.

I left Cape Town before seeing the completion of their new home. Edwin, director of the JL Zwane Centre, would send pictures so I could see the progress each day. (The old shack was taken down and the new home put up in one week.) Upon returning to Cape Town I immediately went to check on Lydia and Neo and see their new home. I can't tell you the emotion I felt when I saw their home with my own eyes, they had painted the zinc a beautiful red color (Lydia wanted her new home to be seen), it looked sturdy and was warm and cozy inside. The smiles on their faces said it all. AIAIA you should be so proud of what you did for Lydia and Neo. They look forward to your visit in 2010 so they can show their gratitude to you in person.

The Photo is of Lydia and Neo in front of their new home!

Bye for now...