Thursday, February 26, 2009

A Hero named Tsietsi...


Today I know that in a tin shack in Alexandria, a South African township wracked by poverty and stalled by underdevelopment, a boy named Tsietsi is thinking about my son Desmond.

While our Net Buddies wait for mentors, I am lucky enough to correspond with Infinite Family's kids via email. Getting messages in their inbox is exciting and keeps them practicing their nascent computer skills. I try to keep them typing by asking them to tell me stories about their lives. The truth is, I am the one who is honored to have my inbox filled with their testimonies of resilience and hope.

A few weeks ago, I asked Tsietsi to write me a funny story. Instead, this is what I received:

Hi Dana Gold

My funny story about me is that I have finished my grade 12 last year, and one thing which makes me frastrated when I think of is that, I failed grade 1 which many people regard it as the most easiest class in school, so when I am trying to tease my friends they just say ''a normal person has never failed grade 1'',they try to make it a joke and I really gets frastrated indeed.

From

Tsietsi


Not the funny story I was looking for. A story that deserved to be honored with some vulnerability of my own. I responded with the following:

Hi Tsietsi!

Oh, that is a hard story. My son has also had to repeat grade 1. He is repeating this year. It makes him sad, too. He is also afraid that the children will tease him.

You could be his hero! You were able to persevere (never give up) which is one of the biggest ways to succeed!

Congratulations on never giving up! Maybe you could share some wise words for my son, Desmond, so that he does not get discouraged.

Thank you for sharing your story, Tseitsi.

Much love,

Dana


Tsietsi did indeed share his wise words. Wise words for me, not just my son!


Hi Dana

You know what, as humans we are not the same. Desmond and Tsietsi are
not the same but you need to tell him how much important he is and
that he must keep on working hard. You know what, trust me, show Desmond more
love and you will see he is going to be such an intelligent son and one day you
are going to be proud of him.


From.

Tsietsi


So, today, in South Africa, there is a hero walking around the halls of Realogile High School. A hero in his own life, my son's life and my own. His name is Tsietsi.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Encouragement


It isn't everyday that I am "on call" anymore. Back when Infinite Family first started I was "on call" during our video conferencing times almost every day of the week. Although I am glad for the time I now have to advance Infinite Family's mission -- I miss the special little glimpses into our Net Buddies world that came with being "on call".

But today...I'm on call!

Which means I get to share with you my little window into another world.

First, Christina, our Net Fundi at the Haven, called to tell me about the changes in the VC schedule. M. wasn't going to be able to make it to his VC today. When I inquired about the reason, she responded, "it has something to do with his body...but he won't talk to me about it." That is Christina's bit of short hand for saying he had recently gotten circumcised.

Since it was discovered that circumcision reduces the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS, many of the older boys have been scheduled for the surgery. As you can imagine, none of them is eager for the procedure. And all of them have to go it alone.

Since the boys are orphaned, there is no mother to sit with them in the aftermath of such surgery. And since the boys are in their late teens, the understaffed orphanages can't spare anyone to accompany them to the hospital or be there for them as they struggle with the pain.

So, M. wasn't coming to his VC.

I called Lisa, his Infinite Family mentor to tell her. She told me of how scared M. had been, how nightmarish the hospital experience was for him. She told me of how worried she was that there was no mother or father there for M. to go to, to depend on, to make sure that this very sensitive surgical site did not get infected. Lisa felt so sad for her boy, M.

So, she wrote him an email. I'd like to share part of it with you:

My dear M,

Long time no see. Boy, I miss you so much. I miss your smile and laugh. I hope things are going alright with you. I am so sorry that you had to experience the hospital all by yourself. I wish I was there to be by your side and hold your hand, to comfort you thru the scary times.

I want you to know that you can talk to me any time you need to. I am here for you always. I am not going anywhere. I love you M. You are the son I never had, and I am very proud of you.

If something is wrong with you please tell the house mother. If your circumcision is infected please tell her. You may need to get some medicine to cure it up...

Write me a email to let me know what's going on. Take care of yourself young man. I'll be talking to you soon.

HUGS TIGHT, Lisa

Lisa is 8000 miles away from M. and confined to a wheelchair. She can't use her hands to type, so she uses a special instrument to help her navigate the keyboard.

But do all those physical limitations lessen the impact of her words? No. Her words, to a very uncomfortable and lonely boy in an orphanage in South Africa are the medicine he needs.

And Lisa supplies it!

Infinite Family mentors are special people. I am so blessed to know them!

You can know them, too! Become a part of Infinite Family today! Join our next mentoring training class on March 23rd!

Thanks for caring...

Dana