Shout Out!

From Katherine: Hi mommy, I love you and miss you, I'm not leaving your side when I get home!

From Jordan: Hey guys! I'm having fun in Africa and I miss you alot; Daddy, I love you and miss your sense of humor. I need a good laught, feed my crab! PLEASE! Churon I miss you see you later! LOVE YOU ALL!

From Derek: Sup ya'll. I'm having a good time and am looking forward to coming home soon.

From Stephanie: I love ya'll, kiss the girls for me! Tell Boo not to be late picking me up, and to call Jess to make sure the apartment stuff is going as planned. P.s. feed the bird and fish!

From Brit: Hey ma! I miss you sooo much! Can't wait to see you and if you see "you know who" tell him hi! xoxox

From Koya: Hi dad, Khari, MAX!! I miss you and Khari don't slack off at practice and happy late Father's Day dad and don't forget to feed Max and let him sleep out of his cage and DON'T put him OUTSIDE and make sure to scratch him and tell him good morning and good night!

From Bridgette: Gary - much love from the motherland.

From Malik: Hey family just wanting to say everything you heard about this place is wrong!! and everything is all you can eat. Love you guys and see you when I get back.

From Oliver: Hey guys, this place is awesome! The food is actually good, I still have 7 bags of beef jerky left. Hope basketball/restroom renovating is going well. Dad- Happy Father's Day. Love ya'll and miss you.

From Ryan: I miss the hosue and all the summer fun. I have learned alot adn will talk to ya'll soon. Wit love, Ryan. Daddy & Smith Happy Father's Day.

From LaVerne: Hi Arthur and Khari and the rest of my family and friends, Swaziland is a beautiful country with warm adn caring people. I can't wait to share how we can help those in need.

From Charlote: I love this place! My arms are notn long enough and my heart is not big enough to give the hugs and love I woudl like to give.

From Nelcy: Love ya! The photography class was worth it!

From Eric: Hey mom, dad and sisters! Having a great time, can't wait to see you when I get back to the STL, hopefully July 2nd!

From Irene: Fort Worth Youth Ambassadors have done us proud. Mae, line up the board and committee members, this group is ready to share awesome stories and experiences!! Thanks to Bongani Dlamini!

From Bongani: SOS please save my soul!

Day 8: Helping HIV/AIDS Victims

Today, June 23rd, the group met with local AMICAALL Program leaders to discuss the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Swaziland. According to the activists, Swaziland has a national HIV/AIDS percentage of 42.1% - that is, 42.1% of the country is HIV positive, the highest in the world. The group then visited the Mahwalala Red Cross point where HIV/AIDS patients are treated and have formed a support group within the community. The group discussed the topic of HIV/AIDS at length and learned a great deal about the virus.

After the Red Cross visit, the group went to a local Care Point, where orphaned children were schooled and fed. These children include the vulnerable and those with one or no parents. The group distributed clothes, shoes and school supplies to assist the children in their learning.

Finally, the group visited a local family affected by HIV/AIDS. The grandmother of the family was caring for several of her children as well as a few grandchildren, one of which was infected with the HIV virus. Again, the group donated groceries, clothes and shoes to the family and learned a little bit about how they had been affected by the virus.

Day 6: Leisure, Day 7: Tour of Mbabane

On Sunday, June 21st, the group spent the day with their host families attending church, lounging around, and bonding.

Monday, the 22nd of June, the group visited the local Museum in Lobamba, the traditional capital of Swaziland. King Sobhuza II was laid in state in Lobamba after he deceased in 1982. In addition, the group was shown the low-income and high-income housing areas in Mbabane.

Day 4: Meeting King Mswati III, Day 5: Safari

On June 19th, the group had the honor to meet His Majesty King Mswati III. Meeting the King, and leader, of Swaziland was a great honor that all will cherish forever.

The next day, June 20th, the group visited Hlane Game Reserve for a Safari! We saw elephants, gazelle, impala, giraffe, vultures, hippos and warthogs.

Day 3: Road to Mbabane

On June 18th, the group bused from Johannesburg, South Africa to Mbabane, Swaziland where they were welcomed at a dinner hosted by the City Council and the Mayor.

Day 2: Nelson Mandela Apartheid Museum

On day 2 in Johannesburg, the group went to Soweto, the largest township in Johannesburg, home to around 4 million people. In this township, the Apartheid Museum was built to honor the June 16th, 1976 uprising by local youth against the government. The uprising was in response to the government's insistence on establishing the Afrikanns language in school instead of engligh. On June 16th, Hector Peterson, a 13 year-old boy, was shot and killed, putting South Africa and apartheid in the international spotlight. June 16th is now recognized as Youth Day in South Africa.

Safe Arrival in Johannesburg

The group arrived safely in Johannesburg this morning around 9 am (2 am US Central time zone). After dropping off their bags and grabbing a sandwhich for lunch, the group visited the Apartheid Museum for the rest of the afternoon. More to come tomorrow!