News from a supporter in Halifax

Bobbi Dunham-Carter writes from Halifax. Their proceeds support the Ottawa African AIDS Angels group, as well as some funds that go via Victoria from Judy Starritt in Nova Scotia.

I stumbled across African AIDS Angels at Love Me Boutique in Halifax, NS around Christmas 2008. I was intrigued so I bought one and the next day went to work at Nova Scotia Community College. I sent out an ‘all staff’ email to see if anyone wanted an Angel like the one I found at the boutique. Our college has 13 campuses around the province so not everyone has access to Halifax. Within an hour I received requests for 100 angels. I bought the entire stock. I was given a contact name in Ottawa to see about getting more angels. Peter Tobin and Lorna Kingston from Ottawa sent me another 200 angels which sold out immediately. NSCC is a pretty amazing place to work.

Again, Christmas 2009 didn’t disappoint. Although I could only get 150 angels this year (100 from Ottawa and 50 from Judy Starritt in NS who I met earlier this year), after sending an ‘all staff’ email, all the angels sold out within minutes. To date, $2250.00 raised. I’m very happy that all funds are being used to support the cause and not going to administrative or shipping costs. All angels sell for $5. This has been a great experience. I will continue to do what I can to help.

Other developments: Last year, a faculty member at NSCC’s Akerley campus, Michelle Flanagan, started an African AIDS Angels service learning project with the with the students in the General Arts and Science and African Career Transition Programs. I’ve attached some images.

You are doing a wonderful thing. I applaud you! YAY!!!

Bobbi Dunham-Carter, Organizational Learning Specialist
Nova Scotia Community College

Report from Powell River BC

The Powell River Aids Angel Group surpassed their wildest expectations for Aids Angels sales in 2009. We thought the perhaps the small market had been saturated from sales over the last 6 years. But we were thrilled when we could not keep up with demand.

Each fall we start making the dolls and when we had made 100 dolls, we thought our work was done. Then a couple of members with "Angel Fever" went over and above the call of duty. One member, an elementary school teacher, made over $200 as she sold Angels to all the school staffs in town. Another teacher worked with a group of her Kindergarten moms to make 40 dolls. The dolls were sold at their school's Christmas Concert.

The highlight of the Aids Angels-making season for me was watching the Grade 7 boys and girls at my school intently making angels. They were not satisfied with making one doll, they wanted to make more! I had preceded the angel making session with a short presentation on the topic of AIDS in Africa. (If you are considering doing something like this, YouTube has some excellent videos produced by the Stephen Lewis Foundation.)

You might be wondering how much money we raised this year. Our grand total was $1338.00! Thank you to all who helped!

Elizabeth Brach, Powell River

Gardens West features Seeds for Malawi garden

Gardens West (January/February 2010 issue) features the garden of Susan Evans and Ted Harrison on Saltspring Island.

Susan is actively involved with Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island. A portion of her garden is dedicated to a nursery that nutures plants which are sold to raise funds for Seeds for Malawi. The money raised is directed to African Aids Angels Victoria and these funds provide the majority of support for our hard working volunteers in Malawi.

The article provides a beautiful tour of the garden and will inspire angel volunteers who are gardeners and even those who are not. The magazine is on the newstands now. You can also read about the activities of this group in their report which appears monthly on our blog.

Part of the article is currently online.

Congratulations to Susan, Ted and Seeds for Malawi!