AAF Newsletter October 2010 Welcome Welcome to AAF's October newsletter. UNAIDS have recently published a 2009 UNAIDS Report. Whilst this report concludes that the rate of new HIV infections are falling the alarming fact is that HIVAIDS continues to destroy. In Sub-Saharan Africa the figures are devastating: - This region accounts for over two thirds (67%) of all people living with HIV
- 72% of AIDS-related deaths in 2008 worldwide
- Estimated 1.9 million new HIV infections in 2008
- More than 14 million children left orphaned due to AIDS related deaths
The African AIDS Foundation stands to support life changing programs that make a difference to the lives of those suffering with HIVAIDS and because of HIVAIDS. We can all be a part of making a difference! UNAIDS release reports every two years. For the full report and other information go to the UNAIDS website www.unaidstoday.org St Peter's and Intumbane - Changing Lives The visit of Miss Bongekele Radebe from South Africa to St Peter's was an encouraging experience for all. Here is a excerpt from the St Peter's newsletter. "It is easy to be complacent about the standard of living we enjoy. We easily forget that just by having running water and toilets that flush we are considered to be in the wealthiest 10% of the world. It is confronting to face the suffering that exists all around us and at times we feel powerless to do anything about it. The problem is so big, so what can we do? Exactly what we have been doing! We can make a difference to one life, to one school and to one community! Miss Bongi shared with us about the living conditions, the teaching environment, the culture and about the daily effects of AIDS on the children and the community. As parents, teachers and everyday people, we found her tales very confronting and yet inspirational. We were deeply challenged to appreciate all that we have in our lives and to do something for those who have not." Click here to read more about the School Partnership at St Peter's First Impressions "Some people at first glance on the streets of Ruaka treat me as if I'm untouchable. Others grab my hand in an iron grip and ask me politely to examine their wares to see if there's anything I'd like. Some children point and laugh, others point and cry. Business is business with the Kikuyu tribe, twisting any tale and performing any act of service in the hope of scoring a little extra coin for him or his family. Women walk in packs or couples, carrying loads or gossiping amongst themselves. Children are rarely alone, in big groups running up and down and all over the place. Wicked petrol fumes choke anything living nearby the tarred roads. A big problem in Ruaka is the drugs. Yesterday morning I was waiting for my Matatu (taxi), having just rejected one asking for double the price, when I saw an older man come out of nowhere and start punching and kicking at a youth. His moves were uncoordinated but he caused the youth to start running away. The nearby children all started to scream and run in different directions as what I now recognised as a drug addict picked up a rock the size of two tennis balls and started walking directly past us. He threw the rock and it smashed through the back window of the Matatu we had just rejected, showering glass all over the people in the back seat. I ask the question, what would have happened had the addict had more than a rock? A machette for instance? The question is answered in the daily paper with tragedy and heartbreak from each corner of Kenya.  But it is not all bad news, most of the people are great, they have a healthy respect for each other and are beautiful and amazing people. And I have the ability here to be a part of drastically changing people's lives and living conditions. I know that it's really hard to picture it in your head while in Australia but once you see children playing in garbage, women living with 4-5 kids inside a house as big as a bathroom in Australia and all their stuff everywhere it can give you are greater appreciation of the real need that these people have."
This extract is taken from a newsletter from Tal Pavlich, an AAF volunteer serving in Kenya with AAF's partner Springs of Katartismos Africa. Coming Up - Market Day and Car Boot Sale ~ Saturday October 30th 2010, Cawdor Uniting Church Grounds, Cawdor Road, Cawdor, 8am - 2pm. Enquiries to Paul Nixon 4558 1187
- Supporters Appreciation Function ~ On Saturday November 20th 2010 AAF will hold this event in recognition of all our supporters. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear about the ongoing impact your support has in the work of our programmes in Africa. More details of this event will be in our next newsletter but please put it in your diaries now.
- Christmas Fundraising ~ As Christmas approaches please be on the look out for opportunities to support AAF. More details to follow in our November Newsletter.
|
