A Child’s Prayer
Submitted by: Amy Lockwood
HIV/AIDS Pediatrics Program Director
As the director of CHAI’s pediatrics program, I have met hundreds of children with HIV in desperate need of care and treatment. I’ll never forget one little girl I met on my first visit to Rwanda last winter, named Christina. She’s HIV-positive. An orphan, Christina lives with her aunt and uncle in an isolated rural area, more than a three hour walk from the nearest health care center.
Christina’s aunt and uncle don’t have the 1000 RwF (about $2) to pay for the transport, and so when I came to visit the family with a social worker, I found out she had missed her last appointment. While her aunt and uncle argued with the social worker, she was happy to hold my hand. But after awhile, it became clear that she understood, at least in part, what was being said about her. So, rather than let her absorb the frustration all around, we got into an intense game of patty-cake—just slapping, no singing.
We moved on to studying my hair, which Christina thought was so soft she just wanted to pet it and me. Until I sneezed. Then Christina got worried, and while laying both her little hands on my head, said a little prayer asking that God keep me well and stop my sneezing.
Thinking of her now, I get tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. It’s an emotion I’m not familiar with and don’t have a name for. This is the feeling that inspires CHAI’s pediatric work around the world, helping to save the lives of thousands of children like Christina. All children deserve access to a health center and treatment. But most importantly, they all deserve a chance to lead a healthy, happy life like you and me.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:22 am
this is so sweet, the faith of a little child, what a precious moment. and thanx for sharing, i feel like i could have been right there beside you. in their need these people still seem to give all they are, all they have. we can learn so much from them.
it puts things in perspective . . . when i pay more for my starbucks mocha which i don’t need than they don’t have but need to pay a transport to the clinic for life-saving treatments. my prayer is to do all i can to bridge those inequalities. you’re helping me with that, thanx.
stay close,
sammi in seattle =)
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:03 am
Dear President Clinton:
Greatly thank you enormous contribution to the world prosperity, peace and the health.
Where there’s calamity and where there’s your trace in the corner of the world. I believe people in a pretty pass will keep in mind your favors. You give them the hope of eternal life and have them set eyes on the beautiful world.
I’d like to follow your Africa journey in whole course.
God Bless you Successful and smooth.
Hangzhou, China
July 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Mr. Clinton
Whenever I think about the importance of global leadership, which is able to go beyond left/right issues, beyound local political disputes, and act to support effective intention to build a better humankind, I think about you and your foundation.
Unfortunatelly I can’t support this job with a donate, but I would really like to work with you, some day.
Thank you for this oportunity to join your Africa journey.
Maria Isabel Timm
Porto Alegre, south of Brazil
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:16 am
iam pastor ogolla phaustine running an orphans project here in the republic of kenya , may take this opportunity to say welcome africa
althou my hands are short to donate towards but my prayer will reach god to abundantly blessyour work .
May isay thaks as irequest to work with you some day during your visit to africa and also pray to remember our project as you pass throu our land. God bless you
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:41 am
President Clinton,
Two beautiful souls connected in that moment…Christina’s and yours. How we experience each other is so very important. Thank you, President Clinton, for bringing good will to others and thank you Christina for giving it right back.
In a world where, so called, just retaliation soon becomes an act of injustice itself and new vendettas are forged that will last for generations to come, it is restoring to know that someone understands what humanity can be when it is at it’s best.
Best regards,
Lily Rose Peabody
Boston, MA, USA
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:36 am
what a precious story…i bet you are fulfilled everyday knowing you are helping to save christina’s life and many others. i wish i had a job that left me with such a feeling. keep up the great work.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Mr. Clinton,
Please pass on to Amy that she is my prayers. What a beautiful, thoughtful person she is. Mr. Clinton, thank you for all you do. As I get older, I see the pain and poverty in the world and it makes me sad and angry. I am on the board of a small non-profit “Fields of Boaz”. My friend Sherry moved to Nyarit and is doing wonderful things with the communities in Vado San Pedro and Ruiz. She is a one woman “salvation crew”. Please go to her blog and give her encouragement. We have little funds and lots of needs. fieldsofboaz.blogspot.com. She has set up a co-op of local women and they are making some of the most beautiful beaded jewelry I have laid my eyes upon. We sell them for them and give them all the profit . Please let me know of any resources we can tap into. Again, thank you for all you do. You have most certainly earned my love and respect. (P.S. I’m really hopeful for your wife!)
Diane Austin
Murfreesboro, TN.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
My Dearest President Clinton,
I come from Malawi/Africa and I’m aware of the excellent work your foundation is accomplishing in my imporished country as well as in Rwanda. Thanks that you have decided to put your enormous international weight behind the protection and promotion of the most vulnerable of our global village. You are putting a human face to abject poverty and the abject poor. You are reminding the haves that the have nots are also their brothers and sisters in need of their continued attention. Your voice matters, Mr President, and it’s listenable. The poor could not have hoped for a better ambassador. Thank you very much for putting your time, enormous talents and your resources at the service of these voiceless and often forgotten masses. GOD continue to bless you and your Family.
Rev. Peter Mulomole
July 25th, 2007 at 12:20 am
Dear President Clinton…
Thank God for you…you truly are my”fearless leader” of the heart!!!
I assisted, through a political fund-raising company here in San Diego several years ago, in helping to get you elected to the presidency…the only time my vote and fund-raising talents really ever seemed to make a difference!!!
During that time as well, I was an AIDS activist-counselor in San Diego…It seems as though our “paths” have crossed again…
My dream is to someday visit and work in Africa in an AIDS clinic…using my experience and skills in fund-raising and health care, I want to dedicate my time and talents to those in need in that area of the world…
Perhaps we will cross paths in person at the right moment…
Please…keep me informed…I am presently working diligently in the private sector to earn enough money to become debt-free, so that I can focus on manifesting my heart’s desire to assist those in need on a full-time basis…I look forward to hearing more about your journey…
may “The Force” be with each and every one of us!!!
Much love,
Linda Inacay
July 25th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Amy,
You’re making me want to come back! Good luck with everything and keep in touch.
-Anil
July 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Dear Clinton foundation,
It is lovely to hear that a child in that situation has got the help from you. As a children advocate in Uganda and a christian i strongly commend you for the work done.
August 8th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Dear President Clinton,
Thank You for all that you do for our world. It makes everything so much better for Mankind. I am so proud to know that the poorest people in the world have someone to stand-up and fight for their behalf as they use ever means they have each day trying to survive. Thank you for making others aware so many can help in some small way. May God Bless and provide the necessary funds needed for this GREAT cause.
Ethel Lavinia Cornell
August 9th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Well done, Mr. Bill. Smile.
Wink. Right behind you, as always. God Bless.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:57 am
dear Bill,
i have read the stories from this web site and am so moved by some of them to the point of tears, i wanna say well done for the great effort you are making to give a smile to those living with HIV.
i live in kenya east africa and i can see fisrt hand the effect of this menace coupled with poverty, i must say you are God sent
thank you so much for having the kind heart you got.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:59 am
thank alot for everything and may the good lord provide more funds for t his worthy cause