Litsemba 2010
Posted by Mann Nolan | Filed under Litsemba, Uncategorized
Over the past year, thousands of people have been involved in the planning of Litsemba 2010 in Swaziland. On a beautiful Friday in July, the many months of planning paid off. Thousands of colorful beanies knitted by people from all over the world were placed on the heads of the orphans and vulnerable children of Swaziland. Clean, soft blankets that were donated from across the globe were put in the hands of those that truly needed them for the cold Swazi winter. Beautiful, new Bibles were given to each child who will cherish and read the word of God, most for the first time in their lives. Warm food packs were handed out to each child to fill their stomachs as their hearts had been filled throughout the day.
We are thankful to His Majesty King Mswati III for giving his full support of this important event and for cancelling other travel plans to attend with his children. We are thankful to the Inkhosikati La Mbikiza for being the beautiful Patron of the event. Thanks also goes to the Swazi government and the Swazi Ambassador to Taiwan, Ambassador Gwebu, who together forged ahead with the event in times of doubt and confusion.
A special thank you goes out to each of the 400 volunteers who traveled to Swaziland from Canada, Taiwan and the United States and told the children of Swaziland with their eyes, their hands, their hearts, and their feet that they are loved.
The team at Heart for Africa wants to thank each and every person that had something to do with making Litsemba 2010 the success that it was, from praying to knitting to collecting to fundraising to traveling to loving. There will never be enough words to pass on our thanks properly.
Below is a photo slide show of the event. Take a look and see the smiles on the faces of the children that would not have happened without all of your hard work, many prayers, and generosity. A video will be posted here on the blog no later than Friday, August 26.
And to answer the question that has been asked over and over again … Litsemba 2011 will take place on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011! We hope to see you all there.
Share on FacebookBeanies and Blankets Starting the Trip to Swaziland
Posted by Mann Nolan | Filed under Litsemba
Several months ago we asked you to knit beanies and collect blankets for the children of Swaziland. And you delivered. This week, the first shipping container full of blankets and beanies will leave Atlanta, GA destined for Swaziland. This 20′ container will include a portion of the 12,000 blankets that you all collected and 19,000 beanies that you knitted.
We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to this project and your desire to give these gifts to the children.
Thank you!
The Team at Heart for Africa
Share on FacebookTaiwanese Diocese gives blankets to African orphans
Posted by Mann Nolan | Filed under Litsemba
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| Father Mbwi Khohi (center) donates blankets bought by the late Monsignor Peter Wu’s savings to a student volunteer as Bishop Martin Su Yao-wen looks on |
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (UCAN) — Taichung diocese is appealing to Taiwanese to support a campaign to buy blankets for orphan children of HIV/AIDS parents in Swaziland.
The 580 Send love to Africa campaign aims to fulfill the wish of the late Monsignor Peter Wu to serve needy African children.
Monsignor Wu served at Nantun Mother of God Church for 17 years till he died in October 2009. He was diocesan chancellor prior to this appointment.
In the last two years of life, he came to know Congolese priest Father Mbwi Khohi who has been working in Taiwan for more than two decades. The African priest was sent to work in Nantun parish and also looked after Monsignor Wu.
During this time, the elderly Monsignor Wu got to know more about the plight of African people.
He then decided to use half of his savings to help African children.
Share on Facebook15,000 Orphans, 300 Volunteers
Posted by Mann Nolan | Filed under Litsemba
On July 23rd, 2010 Heart for Africa will sponsor an event called Celebrate Litsemba (Litsemba means HOPE in siSwati). This four hour event will take place at the National Stadium in Swaziland and our special guests will be 15,000 orphans from the four regions of this Kingdom. This celebration of hope will be filled with praise and worship, music, dance, drama and the message of true hope for all who have ears to hear.
As the AIDS pandemic continues to kill the adults in the country of Swaziland a wave of orphans is left in the wake. It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 orphans in Swaziland today with 8,000 new orphans every month. In 2010 Heart for Africa will begin work with local churches in Swaziland to care for the orphans and vulnerable children in their communities providing for them physically, spiritually and emotionally. Teams will be divided into groups of 10-12 people and will serve at one church location for the entire week to work alongside that church to provide sustainable care for the local children while preparing for Celebrate Litsemba event.
Stephen Lungu will share a message of HOPE!
After being abandoned by his mother on a street corner at the age of four while holding his baby sister, Stephen’s life spun out of control. For 15 years he lived a life of crime, violence and despair in his gang called “The Black Shadows”. It all changed the night he attempted to murder 3,000 people in a tent ministry in Zimbabwe. His life was transformed in an instant and has spent the rest of his days sharing his story with people around the world.
Stephen Lungu, author Out of the Black Shadows and President of African Enterprises with offices in 10 African countries and others around the world.
TAKE ACTION – Join us in July 2010
We are looking for 300 volunteers of all ages to travel to Swaziland from July 15-25, 2010 to work alongside churches to identify children in orphan-headed households, plant church gardens and engage local children in Camp Litsemba, a Vacation Bible School style program. We are looking for people who can teach at the Camp, garden, play musical instruments and encourage the people in the church who are caring for these children. This is an ideal service trip for families from age 3 to 90.
Community work: July 15-25, 2010
Dental team: July 15-25, 2010
Medical team: July 21-31, 2010
Follow-up Community team: July 26-August 5
