The Week of the African Child
The Africa Project invites you to join us for the fifth annual "Week of the African Child" (WOAC), December 1 to 8, 2010.
Morning Silence
Morning Silence
In a land of noises
Busisiwe wakes to silence
the air in the round hut
still, she pulls open her eyelids
heavy as full buckets of water
this morning after another night
of sounds creeping in the brush
danger always present
slicing through the tall grass
to the uncertain rhythm
of Umama’s ragged breath.
A crow calls, and another,
in the silence that fills Busisiwe’s
throat, her chest, her empty
stomach. A woman at twelve
she must care for her small
brother and tiny sister,
a bath today and fix brother’s
sandal so she doesn’t
have to walk alone for water.
And Umama, she must care for Umama.
But the silence. Brother whimpers
and stirs, at six he can build
a fire outside the doorway
to warm the stones to keep
Mma warm. Even on warm
days she’s cold now, even with
the children’s clothes piled on top.
There’s only one cupful of meal
left to last four days, and baby sister’s
always hungry, not old enough
to be used to emptiness like
Busisiwe. She’ll have to
use it carefully. She tries not
to hear the silence.
Brother sits straight up
eyes wide in his dream
darkened face. It’s the silence.
Busisiwe moves to hold him, they
stare at Umama, so silent
so still now. Baby sister crawls over
and they cry to drown the silence.
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In January, 2005, a group of concerned people in Irvine, California came together to talk about the millions of children in Africa devastated by the AIDS pandemic and how we might help. Like many Americans, we had become increasingly aware of AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children due to documentary films including "The Orphans of Nkandla," efforts of celebrity activists like Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie, and the research of economists and humanitarians including Jeffrey Sachs. While we wanted to help, we were discouraged by the fact that far too often, much of the money donated to help never reaches those in need. During this initial meeting, we agreed that we would work together to organize an all volunteer community response and focus our support in one African community. 
The Week of the African Child
Thank You For Supporting the Fifth Annual Week of the African Child - December 1st to 8th.
World AIDS Day, December 1, kicked off The Week of the African Child, an awareness campaign featuring multiple community programs, activities and events that address issues of poverty and AIDS in Africa and how we can work together to help the children. Read More...
