Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership
about
An AIDS epidemic, on a scale unknown anywhere else in the world, is devastating Swaziland. In the face of their suffering, the Swazi people cling to an ideal they call “ubuntu”, the essence of humanity that tells us we are all connected and should care for each other.
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In Hampton, we are proud of our community spirit and we know that, as humans, our community is the world. Our neighbours are not only the people next door but also the people of Africa, the people of Swaziland...the people of Piggs Peak. In the spirit of ubuntu, we are compelled to care for our neighbours.
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As a non-profit organization, the Partnership is proud to have 100% of its revenues go directly towards its mission, and help provide Swazi solutions to Swazi problems with Canadian help.
origin story
Origin Story: Ms. Thandi Nhlengethwa, Director of The AIDS Information and Support Centre (TASC) in Swaziland, visited Hampton High School in Hampton, NB in 2004. Mark Bettle, the founder of HPPP, was invited to listen to her presentation by a teacher at Hampton High School.
Mark listened to Thandi convey statistics about the impacts of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland and learned that they have the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS and the lowest life expectancy in the world. He listened as Thandi told the stories about teenage girls raising younger siblings; 80-year old grandmothers caring for as many as 12 grandchildren in a one-room hut; and 6-year old children being afraid of dying, because death is all they see and was immediately compelled to help.
Mark travelled to Piggs Peak, a town in Swaziland, to see the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS first hand. Through several meetings with the people of Piggs Peak and residents of the Town of Hampton, the Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership was formed.
OUr Board
Chris Rendell
Board Member
Chris is an IT professional who is active in the community with projects like the Community Garden. Chris and his wife, Laura, organize Concert by the Creek.
Robert Doucet
Board Member
Dewey retired after a career working for the provincial government. He is now Mayor of Hampton.
Lisa Bettle
Board Secretary
Lisa, now retired after a 33-year career, was a partner in a local physiotherapy practice.
Sue Hooper
Board Member
Sue is an accomplished artist at Hooper Studios and also an Eden Method Clinical Practitioner, a TEEM teacher and a registered Reiki Practitioner
Ross Henderson
Board Member
Ross is a retired high school science teacher in Canada and China. He enjoys sports and likes to travel.
Bev Harrison
Swazi Liaison
Bev is a retired high school principal and long-serving elected political representative for the area. As chief liaison to Swaziland, he has travelled there on numerous occasions.
neil brodie
Board Member
Neil is a retired environmental engineer having worked in government and the private sector. He manages our Starfish student database.
Jill Darrah
Board Member
Jill has worked with a large private company for over 25 years in the areas of Human Resources and Commercial Real Estate Services.
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Liz Szalma
Board Member
Liz is retired after a career in Quality Control.
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Mark bettle
Board Chair
Mark retired after working for 30 years at a large international company and now dedicates himself to volunteering and charitable endeavours.
Laura Myers
Board Treasurer
Laura is a retired teacher and on a visit to Piggs Peak with her husband, Chris, she experienced firsthand the needs of the students who live there. She and Chris organize the annual Concert by the Creek.