Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 24.5 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2005 and approximately 2.7 million additional people were infected with HIV during that year. In just the past year, the AIDS epidemic in Africa has claimed the lives of an estimated 2 million people in this region. More than twelve million children have been orphaned by AIDS.
UNAIDS, '2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic'
When you learn of the statistics of AIDS in Africa, the numbers are staggering. It is difficult to comprehend, to fully grasp what 24.5 million people really looks like. It may help to put a face or 2 to this epidemic, to get to know someone living it. Meet Susan and PePe…
Susan (Sisana) and PePe are bound together by life, by death, by sickness, by poverty, by hope, and by love. At first glance one may assume Susan and PePe to be mother and daughter. At first glance one may assume PePe to be 5 or 6 years old. At first glance you may not even notice them at all. The reality is they are not mother and daughter, PePe turned 10 this year, and they often go unnoticed. In October 2006, PePe was very sick as a result of having AIDS. She was not expected to live much longer. Susan, who was a cook at the Children’s Cup Care Point where PePe came for a meal each day, provided for most of her care. PePe’s mother had died of AIDS 5 years prior and PePe’s father was suffering from the same illness. In a sense, Susan rescued PePe. She took PePe to the clinic, fed her, cared for her, and brought PePe into her home. Susan gave PePe things she hadn’t known in many years, things she possibly never knew. Susan showed her love and gave her hope. The amazing part? Susan was also dying of AIDS.
The end of PePe’s life was drawing close, or so everyone thought. PePe’s strength, though, along with the love and hope Susan fostered in her, put up a tremendous fight. A year later, October 2007, the unimaginable is reality. PePe is still alive. And not just alive but thriving. Today she is taller, has gained weight, attends school daily, likes to jump rope and color, and smiles every chance she gets. Oh, yes, the smile… something that did not in exist 1 year ago. No, her AIDS is not cured and she will still die, but not today, not this year.
While PePe grew stronger, Susan’s health deteriorated. On May 19 of this year, Susan lost her battle with AIDS and was finally able to rest and be at peace. Below is a brief note from the Daran and Teresa Rehmeyer’s blog (rehmeyers.blogspot.com), missionaries with Children’s Cup, who know both Susan and PePe:
Sisana Nxumalo
A product of a hard life. She still had a heart for her community and the children there who no one else cared for. She will be sorely missed. I pray for a hundred more who have a heart to care for those who have no hope. Sisana knew hope's name is Jesus.1965.......19 May 2007
How does something as ugly as AIDS bring about the beauty of hope and love? How does something that tears people apart also bring some people together? The only answer I have is to truly Live in Love…
A spot of good news: Look at PePe today - Oh, what a difference a year makes!
UNAIDS, '2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic'
When you learn of the statistics of AIDS in Africa, the numbers are staggering. It is difficult to comprehend, to fully grasp what 24.5 million people really looks like. It may help to put a face or 2 to this epidemic, to get to know someone living it. Meet Susan and PePe…
Susan (Sisana) and PePe are bound together by life, by death, by sickness, by poverty, by hope, and by love. At first glance one may assume Susan and PePe to be mother and daughter. At first glance one may assume PePe to be 5 or 6 years old. At first glance you may not even notice them at all. The reality is they are not mother and daughter, PePe turned 10 this year, and they often go unnoticed. In October 2006, PePe was very sick as a result of having AIDS. She was not expected to live much longer. Susan, who was a cook at the Children’s Cup Care Point where PePe came for a meal each day, provided for most of her care. PePe’s mother had died of AIDS 5 years prior and PePe’s father was suffering from the same illness. In a sense, Susan rescued PePe. She took PePe to the clinic, fed her, cared for her, and brought PePe into her home. Susan gave PePe things she hadn’t known in many years, things she possibly never knew. Susan showed her love and gave her hope. The amazing part? Susan was also dying of AIDS.
The end of PePe’s life was drawing close, or so everyone thought. PePe’s strength, though, along with the love and hope Susan fostered in her, put up a tremendous fight. A year later, October 2007, the unimaginable is reality. PePe is still alive. And not just alive but thriving. Today she is taller, has gained weight, attends school daily, likes to jump rope and color, and smiles every chance she gets. Oh, yes, the smile… something that did not in exist 1 year ago. No, her AIDS is not cured and she will still die, but not today, not this year.
While PePe grew stronger, Susan’s health deteriorated. On May 19 of this year, Susan lost her battle with AIDS and was finally able to rest and be at peace. Below is a brief note from the Daran and Teresa Rehmeyer’s blog (rehmeyers.blogspot.com), missionaries with Children’s Cup, who know both Susan and PePe:
Sisana Nxumalo
A product of a hard life. She still had a heart for her community and the children there who no one else cared for. She will be sorely missed. I pray for a hundred more who have a heart to care for those who have no hope. Sisana knew hope's name is Jesus.1965.......19 May 2007
How does something as ugly as AIDS bring about the beauty of hope and love? How does something that tears people apart also bring some people together? The only answer I have is to truly Live in Love…
A spot of good news: Look at PePe today - Oh, what a difference a year makes!
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