The first couple of blog posts are meant as an introduction to the staff at GRO and those that will be writing for this blog. James White is the Director of Programs/Health and Social Manager and this is his story.

When I traveled to Baja Mexico as an orphanage volunteer in 1999 I had no idea that it would change my life forever. Having grown up in the Canadian prairies I must admit that my world view was fairly limited, I had never traveled outside of Canada and even trips to Edmonton or Calgary were big events in my life.  What I saw at the orphanage both inspired me but shook me.  I remember in particular a trip to the city dump in Vicente Guerrero where I saw whole families and young children rummaging through the massive piles of garbage looking for food.  It was at that moment that I asked a personal question that would change everything.  How can I live in a world where this is acceptable?

On my return to Canada I kept asking these questions, reading about international conflict, the still emerging gravity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and crippling poverty throughout the developing world.  I found it increasingly difficult to find joy in my own life and developed a deep sense of the injustice plaguing our world.  Two more volunteer trips to Mexico followed and I soon transferred to Queens University where I completed a dual degree in Global Development Studies and Pediatric Nursing.  As a student I travelled to Durban South Africa as part of Queen’s Medical Outreach.  My experience there, teaching HIV education in township schools, confirmed my desire to devote my life to development and international advocacy.  In 2004 I was hired as a nurse at Tsepong Clinic (the place of Hope) in Leribe, Lesotho. With antiretroviral treatment finally becoming available to impoverished nations, I was one of five Canadian medical professionals sent to develop the first government clinic to address the AIDS pandemic in Lesotho.  My experience and learning throughout 2004-2005 in Lesotho cannot be put into words.  I experienced both the deepest and darkest aspects of the AIDS pandemic, a country dying by the thousands with no food, employment or apparent hope.  But I also experienced the other aspects of life, the resilience of a people bravely facing struggle, the demonstrations of courage and love that shake your soul when they are committed in the face of such overwhelming barriers. Miracles.

As my time at Tsepong drew to a close I knew that my commitment to Lesotho could not end there.  We initiated The G.R.O. Foundation as way to continue our support of that community and over the past two and a half years we have steadily grown, involving more students, projects and people…advocating in Canada and supporting families in Lesotho.  I am so excited about the future of The G.R.O. Foundation and the involvement of passionate students, advocates and individuals in Canada.  In November of 2008 I will return to Tsepong as an HIV Program Developer, seeking to continue the work I began as a nurse in expanding and strengthening the AIDS services available in the region.  We will also be focusing on supporting our local partners with The G.R.O. Foundation Lesotho, assisting them in strengthening the existing projects and doing more for the people of Leribe.

What began in Mexico nine years ago has never stopped changing me.  I still ask that question, ‘How can I live in world where this is acceptable?’ I finally know the answer.  I can’t.  I continue to fight struggle, speak out against injustice and although the road ahead is fraught with obstacles and overwhelming need I will continue to stand beside our global brothers and sisters that are facing death, violence and poverty. Standing together we will make a difference.

Posted under The Vision