Whenever there is a significant increase in service to and for the people we are trying to reach, there is reason for a measure of satisfaction, and I am happy to say we have seen a substantial advance in some areas of our work.

The last report from the Good Shepherd Hospital told us of the dedicated HIV testing service for inpatient care which increased uptake of HIV testing dramatically with 151 inpatients (children’s, female and male ward) receiving testing and counselling.

Full report.

We are only sorry that Doctor Susan Elden has reached the end of her stay and has now returned to continue her work and research in the UK. She made a huge impact in her area of expertise. In January an excellent replacement will come we have been told, so that the work of reaching HIV/AIDS patients will not in any way regress.

Read her farewell letter.

We have been pleased to make a commitment to funding the vital programme of an Adolescent Support Group for teenagers who are HIV positive. This is being led by Baylor Clinic of Medicine doctors and volunteer staff. On a regular monthly basis over 100 teenagers are brought together from every area of the country and they receive medical attention, psycho social support and lots of creative group work and fun activities. This programme would have folded had Claypotts Trust through the generosity of donors not been able to step in and keep it going. Brenda has become personally involved and sees the quality of care work first hand.

Spending some quality time with a group of community leaders at the Dvumbe crèche was very rewarding. We asked the community leaders to share their understanding of what their own needs are, and then we set about seeing in what areas we could help.  Our plans are to provide more toilets and a kitchen in which meals for the children can be prepared. We are also looking at helping this community to restore their broken down church, and we are hopeful that we can have the services of an evangelist who is known to us to do some basic teaching.

My most recent visit took place last week when I went to see firsthand the work of the CHIPS programme. This was a very humbling and yet strangely satisfying experience. Again and again amongst totally impoverished people I heard comments such as these being addressed to some of the leaders of the group I was with. “Without CHIPS coming to this area, I would be dead.” Or ‘I cannot thank God and CHIPS enough for being here. If they were not my family and I would be now be in a box buried deep in the ground.’ Daran and Theresa Rehmeyer are doing great work and it is a privilege to be working alongside them.

Site visit and photos.

I am incredibly grateful to my secretary and project manager Denise Mortlock for taking two wonderful young Swazi ladies on a two week trip to the Scotland. They visited several churches, spoke in schools, visited supporters, made many, many friends and created a great deal of awareness about Swaziland and of course about Claypotts Trust.  They all had a wonderful experience of Scottish hospitality, and I want to say thank you to my hard working Board Members. You were great and the success of this venture is down to you and the very special team that made the trip.

Thank you to the churches with open doors, for the space given to the team to take part in worship services and for every donation that has come in.

We have moved out of what was, for us, a very cold winter and into very warm spring days and the beginning of the rainy season.  We are now getting ready to focus on Christmas and the many special opportunities for bringing some real joy into the lives of so many people who are struggling just to hold life together. Showing the compassion of Christ is exactly what Claypotts Trust has been called to do here in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Pray that we won’t fail to do this.

Thanks again for you fantastic support. We need it given the fact that the local currency has become very strong against the American dollar and the British pound. You might want to remember this as you generously offer your support for our work.

You have been marvellous and thanks again for trusting us to be fully committed to the work here in Swaziland.

Yours in appreciation

Ken