Impacthumanitarian crisishivaids-africavolunteering-in-africa

Reunion Between Volunteers And African Orphans Causes Biggest Smiles We've Ever Seen

Reunion Between Volunteers And South African Orphans Causes Biggest Smiles We've Ever Seen
By 

Associate Editor of Impact, The Huffington Post

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Few things are as contagious as a child's smile -- just ask Nick and Chris Grava.

The American brothers captured quite the warm reception on their GoPro camera when returning to a South African orphanage after being away for six months, Chris explained on his YouTube channel.

The brothers have been heavily involved in the home since 2012, when Nick skipped his flight home to continue working with the children he'd met at the orphanage. Nick had been visiting Chris, a student at the University of Cape Town, and found a purpose "meaningful beyond a personal level" at the orphanage.

Nick eventually became managing director of the foster home in Khayelitsha, and, with the help of his family, founded U.S.-based nonprofit, Intsikelelo -- a nickname given to him by the community meaning "blessing." Intsikelelo has established partnerships with charities, corporations and the South African government to better the lives of the country's orphans.

Nick and his family are helping alleviate a far-reaching humanitarian crisis in South Africa, which is experiencing the largest burden of HIV infection in the world, according to UNICEF. The high rate of the virus has plagued the country with an enormous number of children without parents -- about half of the 3.7 million orphaned kids have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

But people like Nick are making a difference. Since Intsikelelo launched a CrowdRise page just days ago, the nonprofit has raised more than $16,000 toward new beds for the orphanage, kitchen supplies and a computer lab. The fundraiser surpassed its $12,000 goal in less than 48 hours.

"We believe there is a massive opportunity to form connections between our friends, families, and communities in the U.S. and these children and communities in South Africa," Chris wrote on Intsikelelo's website. "Through volunteering, fundraising, and idea sharing, we hope to leverage the power and potential of our world back home with the world we have become a part of in Khayelitsha."

To donate to Intsikelelo's efforts, click the 'donate' button at the top of this story.

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The Funeral Of Former South African President Nelson Mandela
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A military honor guard lines the route for former South African president Nelson Madela's funeral procession as it makes its way to his final resting place in his home village of Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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The casket of former South African president Nelson Mandela is carried on a gun carriage toward the dome for his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Felix Dlangamandla, Pool) (credit:AP)
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A group of Zulu warriors, from KwaZulu Natal gather near a public viewing tent during the funeral service of former South African president Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras) SOUTH AFRICA OUT (credit:AP)
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket is taken by military gun carriage to his burial place following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Kopano Tlape, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket is take by military gun carriage to his burial place following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Odd Andersen, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Drum majorettes negotiate their way through water flowing down a street en route to Vilakazi Street in the Soweto township, Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. Anti-apartheid champion Nelson Mandela was buried in his home village on Sunday after a funeral that mixed ancient tribal rituals with a display of the might of the new, integrated South Africa. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
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A military honor guard escorts former South African president Nelson Madela funeral cortege on its way to its burial site in his home village of Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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Youngsters write tribute messages to former South Africa President Nelson Mandela during a public screening at the Orlando stadium in the Soweto township, Johannesburg, of his funeral in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (credit:AP)
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Guests attending the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela take cell phone photos as Mandela's casket is taken to its burial place in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Felix Dlangamandla, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Former South African President Nelson Madela's casket is loaded on a gun carrage following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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A group of Zulu warriors, from KwaZulu Natal gather near a public viewing tent during the funeral service of former South African president Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras) SOUTH AFRICA OUT (credit:AP)
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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's former wife, and Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel follow as former South African President Nelson Madela's casket is carried out of a a makeshift tent following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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Former South African President Nelson Madela's casket is carried out of a a makeshift tent following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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Military officers remove a framed South African flag from former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket following his funeral service for Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Odd Andersen, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket is taken by military gun carriage to his burial place following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Kopano Tlape, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, right, Nelson Mandela's former wife, and Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel, centre, walk from the funeral service to the burial site of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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A woman wipes away a tear while watching the funeral of former South African president Nelson Mandela on a big screen at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg South Africa,Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (credit:AP)
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Lindiwe Sisulu, a South African politician, reacts after the funeral service of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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From left: Tobeka Zuma, Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's former wife, South African President Jacob Zuma, and Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela watch as former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket arrives at his burial site following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's former wife, watch as former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket arrives at his burial site following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, GCIS) (credit:AP)
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Nelson Mandela's granddaughter Nandi Mandela speaks during the former South African president's funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Kopano_Tlape, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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People watch the funeral of former South African president Nelson Mandela on a big screen at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg South Africa,Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) (credit:AP)
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Malawi President Joyce Banda speaks during former South African president Nelson Madela's funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Elmond Jiyane, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu is hugged as he arrives for the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Felix Dlangamandla, Pool) (credit:AP)
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In this video frame frame, Oprah Winfrey sits with her partner Stedman Graham, left, and British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson watch South African President Nelson Mandela's funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/SABC) (credit:AP)
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Prince Albert of Monaco and Bridgette Radebe arrive to attend the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Felix Dlangamandla, Pool) (credit:AP)
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From left, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's former wife, South African President Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel and Zuma's wife Bongi Ngema listen to speakers during former South African president Nelson Madela's funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Kopano_Tlape, CGIS) (credit:AP)
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In this video frame grab, military officers escort former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket as it arrives at his burial site following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/SABC) (credit:AP)
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In this video frame grab, Brigadier General Reverend Monwabisi Jamangile, Chaplain-General of the South African National Defence force, and other military officers stand at attention over former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket at his burial site following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/SABC) (credit:AP)
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In this video frame grab, military officers remove a South African flag from former South African President Nelson Mandela's casket at his burial site following his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/SABC) (credit:AP)
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Military helicopters fly over the grave during the funeral of South African former president Nelson Mandela in Qunu on December 15, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, died in Johannesburg on December 5 at age 95. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 16: The grave of former South African President Nelson Mandela is covered with flowers in is home village of Qunu on December 16, 2013 in Qunu, South Africa. Mr. Mandela passed away on the evening of December 5, 2013 at his home in Houghton at the age of 95. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in jail for his activism against apartheid in a racially-divided South Africa. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Funeral Of Former South African President Nelson Mandela Is Held At His Tribal Home(33 of33)
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QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 16: The grave of former South African President Nelson Mandela is covered with flowers in is home village of Qunu on December 16, 2013 in Qunu, South Africa. Mr. Mandela passed away on the evening of December 5, 2013 at his home in Houghton at the age of 95. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in jail for his activism against apartheid in a racially-divided South Africa. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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