Saying good-bye too soon

Friends,

Another delay in updating this blog.  Turns out I had more difficulty with the internet than anticipated -- trouble getting logged on or a constant connection and then last night we had a strong storm which meant the manager needed to shut down the server in case of lightning.

But I have now begun the long journey back home.  What an incredible week.  We spent four days with the clients of Project Tariro.  Typically they only come to the project 2 days per week as they need to be working or caring for their families the other days.  So we greatly appreciated the sacrifice they made by coming two additional days.

I am VERY pleased to share some good news from Zimbabwe. HIV meds are now more readily available!  I learned that everyone at Project Tariro who needs to be on ARVs (as they refer to the meds) is on them.  Clients spoke of having been extremely ill and bed ridden for years and now feeling as if they have been given their life back.  Second, I was repeatedly told that HIV-related stigma has greatly decreased.  Clients stated that they have been able to be open about their status with their families and communities and found them to be mostly supported.  Third, food is much more readily available in Zimbabwe.  I went to a local grocery store and was very glad to see that the shelves were full.  Fourth, the clients are extremely grateful for the ministry of Project Tariro.  Now that they are on medications and feel as if they are living again, Project Tariro is providing holistic support to aid clients in living a more complete life.  They are learning about horticulture: preparing the soil to plant crops and how to tend it so they can provide healthy food for themselves and their families.  They are learning how to raise chickens & rabbits again to feed themselves and their families.  They can also take all the additional produce to the market to sell.  They are learing about HIV and how to manage their disease through medication adherence and reducing risk of exposing their partners.  They are receiving spiritual counseling to aid them through this experience.  And throughout the entire program, they are finding a caring, supportive community of persons who are living positively as well. 

Two of the women in our group began teaching the clients of Project Tariro how to sew using a hand crank and treadle sewing machine.  The clients were so incredibly excited to learn how to sew!  The first sewing projects were on how to make cloth diapers for their children and how to make sanitary pads for themselves or wives.  These were a huge hit!  We learned that the women had been using old rags or cotton during their periods and were excited to make cloth pads that can be washed and reused.  Our group also went into town to buy four sewing machines (through donated funds) to be used by the clients during their programs and they can come on other days to use them as well.

Now, some concerns:  while meds are now more readily available, I learned that the recommendations are that people start them when their CD4 count (T-cell count) reaches 200 below.  In the US, a count this low would warrant an AIDS diagnosis and someone would likely be put on prophylaxis to prevent opportunistic infections.  But here, they are just beginning meds!?  (I did hear that just recently this has been raised to 350).  This shows that more meds are still needed.  Second, I learned that only 1 machine to run CD4 counts is available in the entire province (state).  So people are not able to get regular tests.  (In the states, clients typically get one every 3 months.)  This means that clients' counts could be at or below 350 and should start meds but they are unable of this.  Third, viral load counts are still not available.  Fourth, while food is available this does not mean people are able to purchase what they need.  Prices are still high and unemployment in the country exceeds a whopping 95%.  And jobs that are available are typically quite low paying. 

Finally, funds are greatly needs for Project Tariro to support its day to day operations.  It was inspiring to hear the witnesses of the clients.  How they were truly on death's door and are now full of life again!  And now they are receiving support for the next stage of their lives.  This is having a widespread impact on the surrounding communities.  As we spoke with the clients of this the second class at Project Tariro, a majority of them shared that they joined because their friend or family member was a part of the first class and told them they must join this program. 

Friends, if you are able, please consider giving to Project Tariro.  You can find donation instructions at www.projecttariro.com or through my online giving site which you can find on an ealier posting.