Dear Friends, 

I received word today that Phila has been released from the hospital. He is back with his Gogo (grandmother). Those of you that have been following Phila's story from day one know his background. Many new people have been writing asking about Phila and his family, so I will give you a brief background.

Phila was abandoned at the hospital when he was 6 months old; he was suffering from malnutrition. He will be four next month. Both of his parents have since died of AIDS. He stayed at the hospital until he was 2 1/2, then he was released to the care of the orphanage where I volunteered ... I had the privilege of being the person who picked him up at the hospital and took him back to the orphanage. Needless to say, he captured my heart. I tried to find a way to adopt Phila and during that process found he had two sisters and a Gogo who wanted him back. So, after staying with us for 7 months he was returned back home in good health. His home was a mud hut with a dirt floor, no water or electricity. Our Journey was able to find a sponsor to pay for a monthly food parcel to be delivered to his family. In visiting Phila's home I witnessed for the first time what it meant to have nothing - I only thought I knew before. Before returning back to the states last April, I visited Phila one more time to check on him. When I went to his home, Phila was deathly ill; we were able to persuade his Gogo to let us take him to the hospital. Phila's Gogo is a Sangoma (witch doctor) and she had been trying to cast evil spirits from him. Phila has been in the hospital since last April and this week was released back to his Gogo's care. Many people have been involved in trying to do what is best for Phila: young volunteers who are still in South Africa, local Zulu social workers and Zulu community workers have worked diligently to try to ensure his safety. I profess to be a woman of faith, and I am trusting that my God is in charge here .... please know I do not do that easily ... it brings me to my knees. Faith is not always understanding!

We have been promised that the hospital will try to set up a safety net so his Gogo will bring him into the hospital for check ups regularly and they will intervene if they see his health failing.

Phila is a survivor, he has experienced near death twice in his little time on earth. Please keep him in your prayers.

Love, Maureen

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