Projecting Hope For Swaziland: A Rock and a Baby

Ian and Jenn Stephens are missionaries working with C.H.I.P.S, Children HIV Intervention Programme in Swaziland, to help the orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic in Swaziland, Africa. Their home base is in Vuvulane and they travel around to various communities testing for HIV, assessing medical needs and treatment options, teaching job skills, providing workshops, and occasionally conducting Crossroads training (character building/positive living/HIV & abstinence). Ian and Jenn's main desire is to share the love of Jesus for each of these precious children while working towards fulfilling the vision of a HIV free Swaziland.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

A Rock and a Baby

Mary and I (Jenn) went to see a young lady at Matatuka who was in labor. I told Mary that this lady needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible. While we were waiting for her to get organised, the Swazi ladies were busy fussing around looking for a rock. I said to Mary, "We need to go now! Forget the rock!" Mary laughed and said they tie the rock around the abdomen and the baby won't be born until mom gets to the hospital. Well we blew that theory out of the water as the baby was born in the back of the Toyota Rav 4 on the way to the hospital!

Both mom and baby girl are well.

Later, Darren (our supervisor) came over for lunch and after hearing the story said, "It's your fault for rushing them in choosing the rock!" This can only happen in Swaziland!

This is Mary (with the vest) and two Chips patients. The Chips patients range in age from 0-70 years old.

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What is Chips?

Children's HIV Intervention Program Swaziland

CHIPS is funded through the Claypotts trust in Scotland (Claypotts is a castle) and is a non-Christian organization.

Chips provides holistic care to children and caregivers in the form of these services:

1. On site rapid HIV testing

2. If the test is positive, a second test is done to make sure there is not a mistake and blood is drawn at the same time to check the viral load

3. Counselling on HIV, giving the patients hope and a postive outlook; HIV is not a death sentence

4. Transport to the local hospital for initiation of Antiretroviral, ARV, treatment and medication after further counselling

5. Follow up in the community; checking to see if the new patients are adhering to the ARV's and if there are any problems from the medication etc

6. Home health visits to the sick patients

7 . Return appointments to the hospital and when the patients are stable transferring them to a local rural clinic

The most important work of Chips is prayer and sharing the hope of Jesus with the patients.

Orphan Care Fund

Contributing to our Orphan Care Fund would enable us to help meet the physical needs of the people we serve in a holistic approach; spiritual, emotional, and physical. Monies from this fund would go towards clothing, helping start micro industries, medical needs, and nutritional needs.

If you want to donate to the Orphan Care Fund (Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND), please drop us an email letting us know your intentions and we will earmark the monies for that purpose.

Thank you for caring for these precious children!

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

A Rock and a Baby

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