Hilda

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS by Peter Mawanga & Andrew Finn Magill

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about

An HIV-positive schoolteacher from Mulanje, a deadly blend of diabetes and AIDS put Hilda in a coma that nearly killed her. She is revived and stronger than ever. She is the consummate grandmother to 11 grandchildren, a spokesperson for Malawi's coalition of people with diabetes and openly teaches her students about AIDS and the importance of safe sex. She is also my ever-patient teacher in Malawian cooking. "Put me on the air. I have a story to share." - Hilda

lyrics

And he was a caring man
Quiet, humble, my husband
Ernest was his name and heart
Until death forced us apart

My true love since eight years old
"Finish school then I'll be yours"
This is what he said to me
'Gainst our parents, we married

Ernest fathered our girls well
And our boys 'til sickness fell
From a secret he had kept
'Til it took him as he slept

Sickness then came unto me
There I suffered silently
Until drugs would help no more
From a coma at death's door

Three days I dd lay by him
Until life woke me again
That's when Mercy brought me home
To the family I had known

God has saved me
Put me on the air
I have a story to share
Mother Mercy
God has saved me

Mulungu wachikondi, anandikonda anandipumuludza Mulungu wachifundo, anandikonda anandipumuludza

Translation: Loving and merciful God, he saved me

credits

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS, released October 12, 2011
Cathie Ryan: English lead & backing vocals
Joice Kaliwo: Chichewa lead vocal
Peter Mawanga: Chichewa backing vocals
Faith Mussa: backing vocals
Andrew Finn Magill: steel-string guitars and violins

license

about

Andrew Finn Magill Asheville, North Carolina

For twenty years violinist/fiddler and composer Andrew Finn Magill has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle and he has performed with everyone from grammy-nominees Trio Brasileiro to Rising Appalachia. ... more