African Impact

The whole experience was absolutely incredible. It was uplifting, rewarding, challenging, grounding, heart-braking and soul-destroying in equal measure. To see the absolutely joy on the faces of the children when we arrived to spend time with them, or their excitement at being given some new clothes, a piece of chocolate cake or the opportunity to do something creative, was incredible. To see someone's new home taking shape was fabulous. 

To see how they accept what they have, are content with it and essentially happy with their lot was a major lesson for me, and certainly changed my perspective of my life and the things that I take for granted. It is one thing to see this scale of poverty and hardship on television (e.g. Comic Relief) , it is quite another to stand there holding a 6 year old boy who has cerebral palsy... lives in an environment totally unable to deal with his special needs, and yet is happy and excited about you being there to help and entertain him, even for just a few short hours per week. This is the reward. Moments like this make it one of the most amazing things I have ever done. This is why I WILL do it again and why I would encourage anyone who is thinking about doing this sort of thing to stop thinking about it, and go and to it. 

My thanks to everyone who has offered support to African Impact and the Mozambique Community Project as a direct result of my involvement in it. I can tell you that your contribution will be extremely well used and it is very much appreciated. Thank you. 

Stuart Neath