Lend a Hand

Nothing in the world feels as good as helping someone else who does not expect it. In the United States most of us are blessed with nice homes, helpful families, a chance to learn and grow and communities with jobs. Despite the high unemployment, bank foreclosures and other very hard circumstances right now for many families, we also have public services for people to help them rebuild, retrain and work their way back. If you are lucky enough to visit other nations around the world, you learn how uneven luck can be. Many have to find optimism in circumstances that seem hopeless, and they often do.

People in much of Africa live with limited resources. Education is not a sure thing beyond primary grades in many countries. Diseases like malaria, rabies, and shistosomiasis make life extremely difficult. HIV and AIDS are recent to the landscape but dreadful in how the disease has pervaded all sectors of nations like Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and on and on. Hunger visits many families during periods of draught or flooding.

And yet the people you meet in Africa living with HIV, coping with poverty and raising their kids are good-hearted and making the best of a bad situation. And we can help in small ways and in big ways, whatever we can afford and whatever feels right.

The Leopard Tree is a fictional story that was inspired by a Clinton Foundation Special in Harlem on people living with HIV in Africa. It was also inspired by our learning of the educational programs of the Museums of Malawi. They keep cultures alive in their nation by helping keep people alive with hope for a future. The book is intended for young adults and grownups who care about others.

The important thing is that we all keep looking for a way to lift someone else up from hard times. Whether your neighbor out of a job or a distant stranger, think about what you can do. People in need are everywhere. Lend a hand and learn. This website is a place to share stories. Share a story with us if you know one that should be shared with others. Contact us soon.

All best wishes to you and yours.

-Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu