By Deb Baker
© 2003 Kathy Vanderpool, AIDS Orphans and Street Children
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"Uh, sorry," Jared said, realizing he'd been staring.
"It's OK," the boy answered.
"You new here?" Jared asked.
"Yes. I came here to live with my uncle. I saw you at the park-you're a good soccer player."
"Thanks," Jared answered, "you should play. Those guys don't own the place."
"What's your name?" asked the boy.
"Jared. What's yours?"
"David."
"You live with your uncle? Where are you from?"
"Yes, my parents died. I am from Zimbabwe."
"Zimbabwe, WOW," exclaimed Jared, but then apologized immediately, "Ah, sorry about your parents."
David shrugged and looked down. "People die."
The song ended. A tall man grabbed the microphone. "Beautiful," he began, "I am Michael Nkala. I was going to tell you about my nephew. But since he is here, David will tell you himself." David smiled at his uncle and moved through the crowd.
"Hello, I am David, from Zimbabwe. My parents both died of AIDS last year. I am glad you are thinking of the orphans. Many have no family to live with. I am lucky, because my uncle lives here and paid for my little brother and me to come live with him. Where I live, there are so many people dying that it doesn't seem unusual anymore, as I was just telling my new friend Jared. There are medicines, but many people cannot get them, because they cost too much. Please tell people that the orphans need help. They need to learn how to stay healthy. Thank you." He made his way back to Jared.
"Wow, aren't you mad your uncle made you do that?" Jared whispered. A white- haired woman was telling the crowd where to donate money or write letters.
"No, my uncle is great. He worked hard to bring us here."
Jared stood with his hands in his pockets, crushing the flier.
"Did you know a lot of kids in Zimbabwe whose parents died?"
"Yes, parents and kids too. AIDS is everywhere." David shrugged again.
"But it doesn't have to be that way," Jared said, "I mean, can't it be stopped? He felt his face redden.
"Yes, but people do not always know how to prevent it. And there is no cure. Mothers give it to babies before they are born. Too many people have it. Medicine is hard to get. The problem is too big."
Jared tried to imagine knowing more than one person whose parents were dead. He thought about the world being one big family. Talking to David, it didn't seem so dumb anymore.
"Hey, someone must know what to do, right? That's what all these people are here for, to help."
David smiled at Jared. "Yes, this is good. So many people want to help."
Jared pulled the tattered flier from his pocket. "See, this World Health Organization is studying AIDS. I'm sure they're going to figure it out," Jared read what was on the flyer to David.
Michael Nkala walked over with Jared's mom and Anne. He was carrying Amy. "Thank you ladies, for coming tonight. Ah, David, you met a friend?"
Jared's mother raised her eyebrows.
"Michael, this is my son, Jared. He's been an activist since he was Amy's age!" Amy squirmed out of Michael's arms and hugged Jared's knees.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you." Jared shook Michael's hand and turned to David.
"Hey, want to play soccer tomorrow? I'm going to the park at about 3:00. You could meet me there."
"I would like that."
"Great! See you then!"
As they walked to the car, Jared put his arm around Mom's waist. For the first time, he felt really proud of all her protests and meetings.
"Thanks for asking me to come along, Mom. It was pretty interesting. Do you have the address that lady was talking about, you know, to send a letter about this stuff?"
Although David is a fictional character; his story is based on the real lives of millions of orphaned children in Africa and other places. AIDS is an enormous problem, but the good news is that many people around the world are working to help. If you want to join them, send a letter to your U.S. senators, your congressional representative, and the President, asking them to help the orphans, help people get treatment so they don't die, and help find a cure for AIDS.
AIDS Orphans and Street Children
http://www.aidsorphans.org/
AIDS Orphans Assistance Database
http://orphans.fxb.org/db/
AIDS Orphans Education Trust: Uganda
http://www.orphanseducation.org/
Children on the Brink
http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/hiv_aids/childrenreport.pdf
Keep A Child Alive
http://www.keepachildalive.org/index.htm
Global Action for Children
http://www.globalactionforchildren.org/
Deb Baker is a poet and writer living in Americus, GA. She wrote her first letter to Congress when she was 10 years old, and hasn't stopped. Her work for children and other curious people has appeared in Skipping Stones, Life Learning, Home Education Magazine, and several poetry journals.
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