I am often asked, "Who benefits from what you are doing?" and I expound at length about hope for children who must endure poverty and lower their expectations of the future. However, this last month my heart was torn for an elderly woman. A concerned neighbour took me to a family in mourning. Inside the home my eyes adjusted to the darkness. There is an old mattress propped up against the wall, one plastic chair and 2 plastic crates. The neighbour introduces me to Ntombomhlabe and her grandchildren and I listen to her heartbreaking story unfold. "Ntombie" is well past her

working days and dependant on a government pension for her livelihood. I ask questions and fill out our KACIS application. Ntombie's daughter died 2 years ago and she has since been caring for her daughter's 2 children.Now another daughter has died leaving behind Sisonke, a 7 year old girl. Her third daughter, the mother of another grandchild, is very ill and requires Ntombie's care. What an unjust burden for one person to bear.I look into soft, tired brown eyes and my heart aches for her.

The funeral expenses are looming,and beyond her financial burden, she has lost her child. To alleviate some of her load we can supply food weekly and replace the chiIdren's tattered school uniforms. Sadly, there are countless grandmothers like Ntombie because of the AIDS pandemic. How can we not be moved to action when confronted with so great a need?

No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. (Aesop)