Click here for pictures: Africa 2008: Old Naledi Fellowship

As you may know, Southern Africa is now the epicenter of the global AIDS crisis – a crisis that has already killed 22 million people in Africa with over 120,000 more dying every month.  Sadly though, much of the current money donated is falling through the cracks because it is only going to pay for medicine and supplies, rather than creating a sustainable way of life that will not only decrease the rate of those infected with HIV, but will also give Africans life skills that will enable them to maintain a prosperous existence long after the money and volunteers run out.

Our team was part of the solution to this crisis by spending nine days working with the Naledi Baptist Fellowship doing things like feeding 180 orphans a day, running a vacation Bible school and teaching valuable life skills like sewing and we spent time working to build the foundation for their new church building.  It was definitely the hardest dirt many of us have ever had to dig.  We made formed a strong bond with the church there in Old Naledi and plans are in the works for a return to continue working on the building and to continue the other work started there.  

The old proverb says “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime”. By teaching Africans valuable life skills, it will create a long term sustainable way for them to provide the daily needs of those they minister to.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.  1Corinthians 3:7-9

Quick Facts about Old Naledi

Old Naledi, Gabarone Botswana

·      Population = 27,000

·      AIDS infection rate = 17-33%

·      Poorest community in Gabarone (Ha – ba – ro – nee), capital of Botswana

·      Moruti James Mopong – pastor of Old Naledi Baptist Fellowship

Botswana Facts

·      Richest country in Africa (next to Morocco)

·      Highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in Africa

·      Gained independence in 1966 (from South Africa) – she considered it wasteland.  Discovered diamonds two months after independence.

·      Half of population lives 18 miles around Gabarone.  (700,000 people)

·      40% unemployment rate

·      71% profess to be Christian

Children

·      “Vulnerable Children” = their version of DSS that deems the children unsavable (from the gov’t standpoint).

·      Old Naledi feeds 150 – 180 “vulnerables” everyday.  

Check out more info about the AIDS crisis in Africa:
Avert Project
UN Story

The Awake Project

ONE

World AIDS Day