February 21, 2008

Friends of Thembanathi,

I want to again thank all of you for your continued support of Thembanathi.  Lindsey and I really appreciate all you have done.  It does make a difference in the lives of the children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.  We were successful again in raising enough funds to meet our pledge to Holy Cross Hospice.  I sent a check to Sister Priscilla and was asked by her to pass on this note:  "I thank you for the efforts you had made towards making the difference of the destitute and orphaned children. Thanking you."  I recently placed some additional orders (yes, I do have new jewelry and beaded animals!) and received words of appreciation from the income generation projects we support as well.

In 2007, the jewelry sales were down a little from previous years but, fortunately, we received more funds in donations.  I am committed to finding new venues for sales this year, as well as raising donations.  Please keep me posted on any events you hear about or any fund raising ideas you have.  (May 7 will be World AIDS Orphan Day, so we are hoping there will be some opportunities then.)  I will be at Willamette University this Friday.  If you know anyone in Salem, let them know I'll be in the Putnam Center from 10 until 5.  Next Thursday night, February 28, I will be at the African Film Festival at Portland Community College.

As I mentioned previously, we were asked to assist with the opening of a new satellite feeding center in an area that has not been receiving any services.  So, in addition to transportation and other support for the creche (daycare center), we were able to send funds for that.  Here are some of the things the money you contributed went to:

  •  Driver for creche
  •  Security Guards - One for new center
  •  Cooks
  •  Cleaners
  •  Cutlery, Crockery, Pots for new satellite
  •  Training for 5 caregivers for new satellite
  •  Facilitator for training
  •  Tent - for new satellite
  •  Mattresses

I will be sending some additional funds soon to pay for food and supplies for the creche for this year.  We also sent some dedicated funds for school fees and food parcels.

The following are a few excerpts from the last news letter I received.

INCREASED NEED FOR CARE:
The number of child headed families have shot up to 742 with the number of orphans at 1866 This has necessitated recruiting and training additional Caregivers and Nursing Staff. Further providing for in-patient has also pushed up with the increase in prices.

WORD OF GRATITUDE:
It is our wish to thank all of you out there, who have contributed in cash or in kind towards the welfare of our clients – the infected and the affected – for the noble donations you have made to them through us. If it was not for you, we would not have managed to pursue our objectives in the way we did. We fully understand that the cost of living is high – but you have managed to take from the little you have to give to those who have nothing.
We wish this Christmas 2007 and the New Year 2008 may be to all of you a bridge from toil to success and God’s eternal blessings be upon you always.

Again, thank you all for your caring and support.

Helen Towle
Thembanathi ("Hope with Us" in Zulu)

P.S. If you wish to make a donation, please either send a check to me made out to Orphans Against AIDS for "Thembanathi" or go to the Orphans Against AIDS website ( www.orphansagainstaids.org)  to make an online donation.  If you make an online donation, please let me know so I can send you a receipt.