It was the little things that surprised me... Making a cup of tea and drinking it standing next to the kettle, or dishing food and eating it right there in the kitchen- simply because holding two crutches implies that you can not also carry a plate of food or a cup of tea to the room with the couch. These small restraints surprised me, because for me, the idea of having only one leg simply meant having a hard time walking. Thus it was a new experience to see how losing a leg implies losing your hands!

My friend with the one leg is Santos. He is 34 and lost his leg in a motor vehicle accident 12 years ago. I've known him for four years now and what I love about Santos is his positive outlook, humour and zeal for life. This year for the first time Santos asked me if I couldn't try to help him get a artificial leg; and so the process started. Immediately we hit the wall: Santos would have to be in Johannesburg for three weeks and the leg would cost R15 000 ($2200), for us that was a huge sum of money and way beyond our reach. Nevertheless, Santos and I decided to go to Joburg by faith and hope that someone would feel moved to help us. We often joked and said that at least we don't have to do a need analysis or survey, since when you meet Santos it is pretty obvious to see what he needs.

So, armed with hope and humor we took the leap of faith, risking disappointment and went to Joburg. I was really scared that Santos would be submerged into this culture of wealth and that no one would sacrifice a bit of their luxury (money) to enable my friend to walk. Yet the moment we stared talking to people their hearts opened up and we within three days we had the money to start making the leg.

Now three weeks later, we're back in Manica, Santos is walking with his new leg and is amazed by his newly found freedom. The leg takes some getting used to, but Santos is resolved to stick through the pain until the leg becomes easy and natural to use. Santos oversees an orphanage with 250 kids every day- a job that appreciates the ability to use your hands while walking around!

Before the trip to South Africa I told Santos 20 times that we can go and try to get a leg, but it's impossible to guarantee or promise anything. Yet, the expectations were naturally so high that as we were leaving Johannesburg for Manica, Santos looked at his leg and said: "Thank you for keeping your promise- I can now walk". With the help and care of believing friends Santos can now make his tea, carry it to a comfy chair and drink it.