The Citizen, 2009-11-26, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009.
THE EDITOR,
Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day,
a time when individuals,
communities, churches and
governments take time to
think about the devastation
caused by this epidemic
around the world.
It is also time when we
Canadians are thinking about
gifts, holidays and all the fun
and feasting associated with
the holiday season. We find it
very hard to imagine a life of
abject poverty, without access
to clean water, basic
sanitation, primary education
and adequate food for
survival. We find it hard to
imagine being orphaned and
watching all of your family
slowly die of AIDS.
Such is the lot of one
million orphans in the
Southern African country of
Zambia.
While we sit here on this
side of the world, enjoying
the benefits of good health,
love of family and excellent
health and education systems,
it is hard to see how we can
help combat the AIDS
epidemic. Every year the
statistics are more depressing,
the poverty more pervasive
and the news about treatment
more elusive. Among the
millions, it is hard to visualize
the “Mwambas”, “Blessings”,
“Shadrachs” and
“Josephines”, the little
children we can assist to
reach adulthood and defy the
statistics in a country where
life expectancy is only 39
years.
This past spring, our family
had the opportunity to revisit
one of the most desperate
communities in Lusaka,
Zambia. We saw children
with distended bellies,
grandparents anxious for their
orphaned grandchildren,
babies suffering from cholera
and school children attending
mud-floored classrooms
because the promise of a meal
encouraged them to walk
miles to school.
Through the generosity of
Huron County folks, we were
able to distribute educational
materials, grain and fish,
toothbrushes and medicines
for malaria, cholera and
tuberculosis.
We visited the 800 school
children attending the Flying
Angels Primary School and
Kondwa Preschool and saw
the difference that education
and nutrition are making in
the lives of many in the
Ng’Ombe slum. We were
humbled by the gratitude of
the community elders as they
shook our hands and said,
“God Bless You” when we
distributed food provided by a
number of area churches
through the “Loonies For
Lent” program.
We also visited Seko
House, a home for 10
destitute orphan girls with no
family support, and histories
of neglect and abuse. To see
these little girls now, with
their enormous smiles and
“joie de vivre” is to see how a
few dollars can transform
lives and restore health. The
girls at Seko House are
happily attending school,
thanks to sponsorship from
generous Canadians.
We invite anyone who is
interested in battling the
AIDS epidemic by assisting
the orphans of Zambia to
consider making a donation to
our African Education Fund.
Money is safely transferred to
our Zambian partners, where
it is used for clothing, school
fees, educational materials
and meals to feed the school
children.
Any amount is welcome
and will make a positive
change in the life of a
destitute child. Cheques may
be made out to Clinton United
Church with African Project
in the memo line. They will
be gratefully received at the
church at 105 Ontario St.,
Box 204, Clinton, N0M 1L0.
Donations are tax
deductible.
Sincerely,
Helena McShane and
Maarten Bokhout.
Good works
Over the past few months Sacred Heart students in Wingham have been
fulfilling the school’s motto: We are the hands and feet of God, by planting,
weeding and harvesting their pumpkin patch. The proceeds are going to the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which the federal government will match times
four. It pushes the donation to $1,200. The land was donated by Greg and
Betty Jane Higgins. Students making the project happen were, back row,
from left: Jayden Anderson-Johnston, Luke McCutcheon, Wyatt McIlhargey,
Sydney McIlhargey, Stuart Higgins and Scott Jefferson. Front: Tyler Hunt,
Mike Dwyer, Maitland Higgins, Gayle McIlhargey and Loretta Higgins. (Photo
submitted)
The Hog Industry
Loan Loss Reserve Program
The Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program assists pork producers in dealing with
immediate liquidity pressures by providing long-term loans to hog operations. To be
considered for a loan under the program, hog producers must provide a business plan to
a participating financial institution which demonstrates that their business can be viable
and has a reasonable prospect of repaying the loan.
Eligible producers are individuals, partnerships, corporations and cooperatives that currently
contribute to hog production in Canada. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2010.
However, producers are encouraged to present their business plan to a participating financial
institution before the deadline to ensure access to government backed funding.
For more information:
Call 1-877-842-5601
Visit agr.gc.ca/HILLRP
Welcome to the table
The two new North Huron councillors have been sworn in and began official
work with the Nov. 16 meeting. From left: Brock Vodden, reeve Neil Vincent
and Dave Riach. (Advance Times photo)
Letter to the editor
Dec. 1 World AIDS Day
THE EDITOR,
This past Friday night, I
attended the harvest end stag
in Brussels hosted by the
Brussels Optimist Club. All
of the men in the Optimist
Club should be commended
for another successful event.
Numerous items were
auctioned off and I was the
lucky winner of a box of
Norwich Packers steaks for
which I paid $110. However,
I will not be able to enjoy
them as someone stole them
from the table I was sitting at.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if
this person had a conscience
and would return the box?
Wayne Hopper.
Letter
Stag attendee
out some steaks