A number of readers of this column as well as the North, Downtown and Daybreak Rotary Clubs and many friends of mine are Hidden Heroes to fifteen AIDS orphans at Sihlengeni High School in Zimbabwe (the school I worked at in 2002 and 2005). For the past two years these people have paid school fees and provided a monthly food allotment for these orphans.

Here are some excerpts from their “thank you” letters. My thanks go along with theirs.

“Last year unfortunately I lost my step mother and those days father took sick also so we have lived without a guardian. Last year when I was doing form three I was about to leave school because I could not make ends meet. I was sent back home daily to seek for money and one day our school clerk asked me the problem and I explained to her and she understood. Then to my surprise, the next day I was told I would not be sent home any longer because school fees were paid. I wish you live longer to help me finish my education – Anele”

“I would like to thank you for paying our school-fees. We did not expect that you were going to pay for us but by the Grace of God you tried by all means to pay for us. As they say, ‘more blessed is the hand that gives than the hand that receives.’ We expect to pass this year so we can help other people as you are doing for us -- Samantha Mwanza”

“I thank you very much because you help to let me go to school and buy for me food so that I come to school strong, like other children. It is much that you gave us -- Nokuthula Naube”

“In 2006 it seems every thing is in order and I expect us as students to be beginning a project or doing something that will help us help ourselves -- Dalokuhle Sibanda”

“We hope that you continue with your program because without you some of us will not be at school now. Last year at school we were learning good but have no exercise books. At home my grandmother and grandfather said that they have no money to buy the book. May God help you for helping us -- Silshengisiwe Matutu”

“In other years we had no money and no food. In other years we also had no parents for helping us but now we know that we have our parents. You are our parents -- Charity Maniangu”

“In 2006 I want to work hard in the school. I want to pass my work. I think one day I will be a teacher or a Nurse. In 2005 I was very happy because you do a wonderful job as to giving as food to eat and money to pay school fees -- Albertinah Ndlovu”

This year, because of the exceptional support we have received, as well as paying school fees and providing a monthly food allotment, we were able to buy uniforms, text books, and scribblers for these kids and sports equipment for the school.

If you, your company or organization would like to help keep these kids fed and in school, you can contact me at 741-7499.

A Zimbabwean friend of mine teaches at another school in the area and of course there are a number of AIDS orphans in her school as well. If we had enough money, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could begin to help these orphans as well?

We may not be solving the AIDS crisis in all of Africa but we are making a huge difference in one community and, with a little more help, maybe two.