Who We Are

Who is the African Aids Foundation and what do they do to help?

The African AIDS Foundation exists to raise much needed funds to support grass roots projects in South Africa and Kenya. AAF is run by volunteers who are passionate about bringing change to the lives of children who are facing a bleak future without help. The projects AAF fund are run by small groups of people who are caring for the ill, abandoned and vulnerable.

We are based in the Macarthur area of NSW, about an hour South West of Sydney.

Having worked for nine years as a doctor in a Mission hospital in the Kwa-Zulu province of South Africa (1975 - 1984) and then becoming involved with fighting the HIV/AIDS problem since 1999, Dr John Schwarz, together with his wife Rosalie and a group of dedicated local people have been raising awareness and funds to fight the pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

Due to the network built from Dr John Schwarz and Rosalie living in South Africa and AAF's regular visits, we are able to work with local people who are struggling to care for orphans and others deeply affected by HIV. The impact of HIV/AIDS is immense and the local people have meagre resources. AAF can assist them with money, advice and sometimes volunteers.

We work with a number of organisations in South Africa and Kenya and have been thrilled at the cost effectiveness of this approach and the wonderful impact on the lives of many vulnerable individuals.

Our Vision

Our ambition is to serve marginalised people through Christian faith in action.

Our Mission

Our mission is to assist organisations and programs, through financial, in-kind, and volunteer support, as they seek to

Alleviate suffering for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS;
Reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS;
Strengthen families impacted by HIV/AIDS; and
Rebuild communities.

Our Objectives

Our objectives are to:

Foster development programs that are appropriate and sustainable within the communities for which they are intended.

Collaborate and/or cooperate, with other organisations and groups, in a willing coming together to achieve our common purposes.

Recruitment of volunteers for appropriate terms of service.

Education/ Promotion/ Sharing of information about HIV/AIDS and those impacted by the disease.

Advocacy on behalf of those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

The raising of financial, in-kind, and volunteer support.

Engagement in any other activities that the Foundation may consider incidental or conducive to the advancement or attainment of the above aims and objectives.

Our Values

As an organisation we value:

People more than programs;
Free choice, not coercion, in decision making and participation;
The equality and dignity of all people irrespective of background, gender, education, or religious affiliation;
Consultative and respectful relationships with organisations, communities, families, and individuals, encouraging appropriate levels of trust, and participation in decision-making by all stakeholders;
Programs which provide sustainable and transferable skills;
Programs which assist communities, families, and individuals to shape their own future;
Cooperation with organisations that have similar values and objectives;
Continual review and refinement of our objectives, and management structure;
Experimentation and adaptation in problem-solving and delivery of programs and services.