Angels in Campbell River

News Link

click below for news of the African Aids Angels group in Campbell River

http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/campbellrivermirror/lifestyles/11384341.html

Inspiration for Angel Makers

Song for Nkosi

Simon Fraser Elementary School Peace Choir’s favourite song was written by their Choir Master, Marisa Orth-Pallavicini and her fellow songwriter, Pat Davit. It is called "For Nkosi", and is dedicated to Nkosi Johnson, an 11-year-old South African, who addressed the 13th International Aids Conference in Durban in 2000.

His entreaty to everyone is featured in the song:

"Do all that you can,

with all that you have,

in the time that you have,

in the place where you are."

This link will give you more information about Nkosi. Note the connection between his story and the comments that Vic writes (below) about the ARV program at St. Mary's hopsital.

http://www.simplytaty.com/bios/nkosi.htm

Angel Donations

Where Do I send the Money?

Many of you are making angels at home and getting donations from friends and family. That's a great!

The most efficient, carbon neutral way of handling those funds is:

1. Write a cheque to African Aids Angels for the same amount (i.e. you raise $75 from your home, keep the cash and write an equivalent cheque)

2. send a message to africanaidsangels@gmail.com and ask where to send the funds.

Zambia Return

Pierre and Lee Ann Dil have just returned safely from their time working at Makeni in Zambia. They have lots of photos which we will get posted, hopefully soon after Christmas.

Teddy Phiri's Message

Appreciation from Malawi

This was just received from Teddy Phiri in Malawi.

Read it and give yourself a pat on the back!

Just wanted to remind you that we appreciate your special talent. You are the best
fund raisers. Do you imagine how any millions of Malawi kwachas you have raised
for the suffering Malawiians and yet you have not lost your zeal and
dedication since 2002.You have convinced many people to donate
materially, in time, financially and in marketing , selling etc. May God bless you
abundantly.

As usual we cherish the special visits made by Canadian friends to the
beneficiaries .The visits cement the special bond between beneficiaries and
the donors. (referring to a possible trip next year by a new volunteer)

The weather has become so unpredictable nowadays.

Greet all the good people.


Teddy

Report from South Africa

Thembalethu and ST. Mary's Hospital

Vic and Lorraine Parsons have just returned from Thembalethu Orphanage in South Africa. They have also visited St. Mary's Hospital. These are the two projects that we support in South Africa.

Here is Vic's first note to African Aids Angels.

It is a constant source of amazement to the people we visited in South Africa how much Canadians, and I presume other people in the world, care about the African AIDS pandemic. They cannot seem to comprehend how much, and why, we care about them. Everywhere Lorraine and I went, we were embraced as sister and brother to them, and when tried speaking a few words of our pitiful Zulu, they would break out in broad smiles and often hug us. Let no one ever tell you, our brave volunteers, that you don't make a difference!

On our return this week we read about the stupendous effort of the students in raising $3500, and the house sales results, Great work!

There is so much that has been done, and so much to accomplish. We visited St Mary's Hospital last week and got in-depth explanations of where our funds go in the Born To Live program, which provides ARVs to pregnant mothers to prevent mother-to-child trasmission of HIV. Since the program started, 3000 mothers have participated in the program, and 4,000 babies are involved, with a success rate of 95 per cent. The South African government, with funding assistance from the US, now provides these drugs to the mothers. Where our money goes is to a vital part of the program, that is, counselling and outreach to make sure that the mothers are taking the drugs properly. Many of the mothers have very little education, have lives that are very disruptive, and there is risk that if the drug regime is not followed the program would fail. The hospital authorities say this is just about an important part of the program as the drugs themselves.

Angels in Port Alberni

Finding Angels in Port Alberni

On Dec. 5, Larry and Mary traveled to Port Alberni to meet with most of the fifteen members of the Xi Chi Chaper of Beta Sigma Phi. This group adopted African Aids Angels as their service project for 2007. They made about 250 angels and raised well over $1200. Capelli’s hairdressing school and the Clock Tower Studio Gallery displayed the Angels in their shops. Pat Miller was our contact for the day and Julia Rutter hosted the meeting.

What Happened at the Craft Fairs?

Angel Craft Fairs

The Angels have just completed two busy weeks of Craft Fairs.

A warm thank you to organizers and the dozens of volunteers who worked so hard to make these events such a success.

We have taken part in fairs at Commonwealth Pool, Hillside, Fair Trade, the Home
Craft Fair, Dickens Fair plus many smaller events at various churches and home parties. Our total raised over the last two weeks is over $12,000.

Congratulations!