Give a Gift of Hope

We now have gift cards which you can use to honour your friends and family. If you wish to make a donation to African Aids Angels projects on someone's behalf, we will provide a card to let the person know.

Inside the card is an explanation of the work done by African Aids Angels. You can give the card to friends, co-workers, relatives, or to anyone you would like to acknowledge.

The minimum amount is $15, and there is no maximum. $50 will support 1 child for one month in an orphanage, and $35 will pay for school fees for one year.

If you would like to make a donation and receive a gift card, please send a cheque to African AIDS Angels, c/o 1855 Neil St., Victoria BC V8R 3C6. Please indicate clearly the name and address for mailing the card, including postal code. We can send it to you or the recipient. If you have questions, please email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com.

News from the Thembalethu Orphanage

Vic and Lorraine Parsons, the founders of African Aids Angels, are currently in South Africa, working at Thembalethu Orphanage, one of the four projects supported by the Angels.

Here is a note from them:

We are taking a couple of days off from the children's shelter at Shelly Beach which is on the Indian Ocean so thought I should e-mail you. It has been very difficult getting to a place with internet here and the telephones have been out at Assisi for more than a week due to severe thunderstorms.

I wanted to tell a bit about the kids. We are being very well looked after here, and the kids are great. They run to us now with great excitement(when we arrive each morning.

One of them, Siyabonga, which means :We thank you, is HIV positive and had to be taken to hospital at 11 p.m. about two weeks ago. He was severely dehydrated but has returned in much better shape.

Two little girls who were afraid of our white faces have become close buddies now. One, Amahle, meaning Beautiful One, is about three. No one really knows her name and parents as she was abandoned on the street until someone turned her over to the Sisters for care.

A second one was Sanelisiwe, who is very thin, and probably HIV+. She cried about 75 p.c. of her waking hours and the first time we saw her smile was when we took her into the play area and blew bubbles with the kids. Now she giggles and plays with toys all the time, and really brightens up when we come near. The Sisters were very concerned about her because for a long time she refused to eat, but now she feed happily.

Another little girl is Nomussselelo, who is six. She just came to the shelter last week. Her father has died of AIDS and her mother is quite sick, and she came to the shelter with her own meds, and is HIV too. She is quite a talented artist for a girl her age and speaks English quite well.

When Lorraine asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said: "Happy."

James Bay Angels?

James Bay

We have had a number of inquiries from the James Bay area . Several people are hoping to make angels in their neighbourhood.

Do you live in the James Bay area and have space for a group or 5 or 6 people to come to your home to make angels once or twice before Christmas?

If you are interested: contact Mary at lmbomford@gmail.com

Malawi News

Funds to Malawi

African Angels in Malawi have presented their budget for 2007/2008.

We are pleased to be able to provide all of the items. We forwarded $16,000 to cover:

A. School fees,uniforms, books and kerosene for 45 orphanned students.

Why kerosene? The students will use it to light their lamps to study by. Many do not have electricity in their homes.

B. Farm inputs (seeds and fertilizer) for 80 families.

C. Agricultural training in market gardening for 30 boys and girls who have finished high school and are willing to try market gardening as a business.

D. Hospice nutrition support for 20 individuals. This includes funds for those who feel healthy enough to raise chickens for income.

Seeds For Malawi our sister group on Saltspring have joined with us in a closer partnership. They will fund the majority of the African Angels Malawi budget and channel their funds through AAA Victoria.

The Walls Go Up

St. Francis Orphanage

After a long wait the walls of the girls dormitory at St. Francis Orphanage, Makeni, have begun to go up. This building was funded by a generous supporter of African Aids Angels in Victoria.

Click on the website africanaidsangels.googlepages.com, go to Zambia, click on the child’s photo and it will go to photos of the construction at the orphanage.

Women of Malawi

Florence Moyo

What happened?

What happened to the women we have been supporting in Mzuzu Malawi? Last year, Rob Shaw of the Times Colonist interviewed many of these women who have been hard hit by Aids. His reporting had a great impact on readers all over Vancouver Island. Teddy Phiri, our African Angels contact in Malawi has just sent us an update on their situation.

Alice Lungu is one of a group of four women who are now on anti-retorviral drugs. This year, all four of these women are healthy because of the government supplied drugs and the food support provided by Aids Angels. They are all debt free and have begun small market businesses, selling baked scones, tomatoes and other vegetables, and charcoal.

Mrs. Amensty Longwe one of a six member widows’ support group, also interviewed by Rob, is now well enough to have found a support staff job at a local motel. She has plans to augment her income by sewing or vegetable selling at the local market.

Florence Moyo, with farm input funds from Aids Angels, has been able to grow enough maize to support herself and her three children.

As a result of African Aids Angels support, all of the women who were interviewed last year are alive, healthy and many engaged in small businesses. Their lives are not easy but they are there for their children and their communities. We are proud to be part of their support system and grateful to Teddy and Delirah, Vincent and Gilda whose hard work as volunteers make it possible for us to provide some relief in their community.

Expand the Network

Bring a neighbour

Bring a friend/mom/sister

Help us expand the angel making network.

This fall we are encouraging all Angellers to bring along a friend, a neighbour or relative to a dressing session. We want to inspire new angel makers.

Throughout the summer the Angels flew off the shelves. The shops which support us are looking forward to a good supply of angels for the fall and into the Christmas season.

We also have the opportunity for displays at Hillside and other Christmas craft events.

People always respond best to personal invitations. Who can you invite?

Angel Party

Angel Party

To all experienced Angellers.

This fall, plan an angel making party. Many people have found that they enjoy making angels at home with a small group of friends in afternoon or evening.

We can provide you with a compact kit of all the materials you need for 4 or 5 people to make angels. The kit will include some sample angels as examples to get people started.

If you want to try this out email africanaidsangels@gmail.com and arrange to pick up the kit.

New Shop, New Signs

New Shop

New Signs

African Aids Angels welcome the Global Village Store in Market Square.

Global Village will be selling Angels for $7.00 plus tax. This is the first time that there will be a fixed price for angels at a particular location. This change accommodates the way that Global Village markets their crafts. We are delighted that they have asked to help us with Aids Angels. The shop markets items that help third world crafters receive a living wage for their work. It is an excellent spot to check out.

We are also trying to encourage people to consider a larger donation for the Angels. All the other shops that offer the angels for a donation have a new sign for the display spinner.

Side 1 says:

African Aids Angels

suggested donation:

Side 2 says:

$5 minimum

3kg of seed to start a garden = $7

10 days of orphan care = $10

We are trying to see if this will prompt more donations. At least it will give people a sample of how some of our funds are used.

If you wish to comment on this change please email: africanaidsangels@gmail.com

If you want to know where to find Angels check our website.

28

Summer Angel Reading

28, by Stephanie Nolan, the Globe and Mail’s Africa correspondent is getting excellent reviews.

Nolan has told the story of 28 individuals affected by Aids to represent the human side of Aids in Africa. Each story represents 1 million people impacted by the disease.

Where Did All the Money Go?

2007 Funds sent to Projects.

African Aids Angels raised over $70,000 in 2006. At the beginning of 2007 we consulted with our projects to determine their needs and responded to each of them. Here are the details.

African Aids Angels Victoria has disbursed $12,000 to Thembalethu Orphanage. http://africanaidsangels.googlepages.com/south . Our group is providing all of the 2007 funding for this small orphanage that cares for about 30 children. Thembalethu is officially a half-way house that keeps children until they can be adopted. It does not qualify as an official orphanage and as a result does not receive funding from the South African government. However there are few adoption homes and in effect it is functioning as an orphanage with minimal resources.

Vic and Lorraine Parsons, the founders of AAA Victoria will be traveling to South Africa and assisting at Thembalethu this fall. They will be able to see for themselves what the children need and how we can best assist. We look forward to their stories and reports.

Mariannhill Hospital , http://www.stmarys.co.za/ , has received $20,000 for the Born to Live Program. This comprehensive program provides Anti-retroviral drugs to pregnant mothers with AIDS to prevent the transmission of Aids to their newborns. This treatment is 90% effective. The South African government now provides the funds for the ARV drugs. AAA Victoria’s funds go to provide adequate food for the mother and child and also support from social workers. Vic and Lorraine will also visit Mariannhill to see how our funds are being used.

St. Nicholas Orphanage at Makeni Ecumenical Center http://www.makeni.org.uk/orph_news.htm in Zambia, has received two separate funding allotments. A generous donor from Victoria has provided $15,000 to build a new dormitory for the girls at the orphanage. The funds are currently held in trust as Makeni works through the paperwork for building permits. It seems like it’s the same the whole world over when it comes to working with City Hall! A recent email from Makeni:

"Gordon Wadey had been working hard with one of our Board members, Joe Pollen to get everything in order for the orphanage extension. The drawings have been done professionally, and submitted to the City
Council. "

We have also sent $10,160 towards the day to day running of the orphanage and other AIDS relief programs at Makeni.

Pierre (our Board member) and Lee Ann Dil will be working at the orphanage this fall for three months. Once again we are so fortunate as a funding group to have this direct contact with the people we support.

AAA is holding funds to distribute to our Mzuzu, Malawi group in September. http://africanaidsangels.googlepages.com/malawi This funding supports Aids widows and their children by providing farm inputs of seeds and fertilizers so that these family fragments can have assistance in being self-supporting. Our funds are co-ordinated with the planting year. Crops are are sown in October and November. We also pay secondary school fees for orphans and provide some hospice food aid as requested.

Mary and Larry Bomford are the contacts for Malawi. They do not have a trip planned to our project in Mzuzu in the near future but we have a regular email connection with Teddy Phiri our contact there.

How Does the Money Get to Africa

How Do you Send Money to the Projects?

Aids Angels Victoria has a community account with Island Savings and Credit Union. They organize the transactions direct from our account in Victoria to the bank accounts of our projects overseas.

Angel Hair

Angels Bald and Haired

Marg, our faithful organizer of bald angels in need of hair, is moving house. For the next few months contact Mary Bomford africanaidsangels@gmail.com either to get haired angels or to pick up angels and wool. Marg will pick up this task again once she is settled in her new home.

Glorious News!!

News Release:

Stephen Lewis' successor is Elizabeth Mataka

Dear All,

It is my joy and pride to announce to you that Elisabeth Mataka, the ED for Zambia National

AIDS Network-ZNAN (One of the few civil society primary recipients of the Global Fund) has

been chosen as the United Nations special envoy for AIDS in Africa- a position

previously held by Stephen Lewis.

This does me proud as a woman, does us all proud as African Civil Societies fighting against

AIDS TB and Malaria. They will no longer be told about what happens in Africa- They will

SEE it through an African's eyes.

Elisabeth wears many many hats- Since 2006, Elisabeth has served as the Board member

for developing Countries NGO delegation at the Global Fund Board and we had the pleasure

of working with her to build a strong civil society voice on the Global Fund Board.

Recently the Global Fund Board recognised her contributions and hard work and appointed

her to serve as the Vice Chair of the Global Fund Board for year 2007-2008.

Join me in congratulating Elisabeth and wishing her all the best in these challenging but truly

noble tasks ahead of her.

Go Liz Go!!! Let Africa speak!!!

Lucy Ng'ang'a

Executive Director

EANNASO

Eastern Africa.

Malawi Students Get -Together

Teddy Phiri, our Malawi contact in Mzuzu, gathered the orphanned students whose school fees are paid by African Aids Angels Victoria and our sister group Seeds for Malawi.
You can see him addressing the group. (Teddy is wearing the white and grey shirt).

Malawi Youth Agricultural Training Program

More notes from Teddy Phiri, describing the field day for youth who are learning how to become market gardeners.

55 men and women attended the show. They were 2 senior traditional chiefs, 3 senior chiefs, 1 teacher from nearby primary school, 1 veterinary field officer and 1 agriculture field officer (trainer). They had come from several villages surrounding Lusangazi demonstration garden.

The field day was organized to show the parents and the general public what the youth in the area had learned through training and the Demonstration.

Lottie Chirwa, leader of the youth group in Lusangazi area, gave brief history of the group. 10 boys and 2 girls were selected. The Agriculture Field Officer trained the group for 14 days in modern methods of farming, farm management and leadership skills. A demonstration field was chosen to demonstrate what they had learned. They planted a number of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, tomatoes etc. A quarter of an acre of corn was also planted using the easiest and cheapest method.

Children of Makeni, Zambia

Manyando, Gloria and Esther

Here stories of some of the orphans who are being cared for at Makeni. African Aids Angels are providing support to build a new dormitory and also some of the funds for day to day operation.

The St. Nicholas Village for Orphans gives the children a sense of security and continuity, whoever comes and goes, they have a roof over their heads, food and guaranteed education.

Manyando, eight years old, came to the St. Nicholas Village for Orphans four years ago. She has a loving grandmother, who works at the market place just opposite the Makeni Centre but she has many orphaned grandchildren, and even working all day at the market, she cannot make ends meet, or pay for schooling for Manyando, who is the youngest of her grandchildren. Manyando lost both her parents to AIDS four years ago.

Gloria and Esther , nine years and 13 years, are bright intelligent sisters. They come from a household that had been stable and happy, but which had been totally shattered when first their father and then their mother died of AIDS. They went to stay with an aunt, who was a nurse at the Makeni Centre Clinic. That is how the Orphan Home heard about them. The aunt had lost her husband, and when she discovered that she too was dying, started distributing the children in her care. Her own children would go to relatives. She begged the St. Nicholas Orphan Home to take Esther and Gloria. At that stage the Orphanage was fresh off the drawing board. Esther became the very first child of the St. Nicholas Village for Orphans. Gloria came later. Esther always comes top of her class academically. Her mother, like her aunt was a nurse, and both Esther and Gloria want to be nurses too.

More support for Makeni

We Believe in Angels

In December we received a generous donation of $10,000 to assist in building the new girls dormitory at the orphanage in Makeni. (see below)

The donors have returned with a further $5000 to make sure that the building is funded to completion. There is also discussion about providing some personal items for the girls when the building opens.

Makeni is full of gratitude for this wonderful gift.

It makes us believe in angels!

Malawi message

A message from Teddy Phiri our Malawi contact. The Youth Programme is providing agricultural training for orphanned teens who are finished school It is funded by Seeds for Malawi, our Saltspring sister group.

The Youth Programme is doing very well. We had a very good field
day where by chiefs, government extension officers, local population came
to view the youth garden of maize.We had more than 50 people.It was very
successful and people really appreciated the efforts of agricultural
development through the youth.


Teddy

Dancing Aids in Malawi

The Village is Tilting: Dancing Aids in Malawi

Feb. 6 to Sept. 3, 2007

Museum of Anthropology at UBC

A ground breaking exhibit of the Gulu Wamkulu secret society masks from Malawi. These masks are being used in reinvented dances to open up the message of AIDS. The exhibit contains dozens of video interviews with Malawiians expressing their beliefs and fears about AIDS.

Check the Musuem of Anthropology website www.moa.ub.ca for more information.

March 8 to March 10 will feature discussions on Perceptions of Africa.

Marion Recommends

There is No One Without You

One woman’s odyssey to rescue Africa’s children by Melissa Fay Green.

Marion recommends this as a good account of Aids as it affects children in Africa.

Thanks from Malawi

This letter was forwarded by Teddy Phiri, our contact in Malawi. Stuart's wife died of AIDS. He is HIV positive but is now on anti-retroviral drugs. He is working with others to educate them about AIDS. Now that his health is stronger he is able to support his five children. One of the great benefits of ARVs is that they keep the parents alive to support their children.

The Coordinator

AAA Project

Mzuzu

Dear Sir / Madam

Re: WORD OF THANKS

I write to thank you for saving my life. I would have been dead without you. You did not stop at just saving my life but you have continued looking after me all through out from 2003 you have been looking after me through with life necessities such as days provision you have provided daily bread when sick, you taken me to the hospital, you have been giving me medicine, providing me soap, sugar, blankets and fertilizer when my family was lacking you giving me poles, wrap plastic paper for roofing and cash for grass.

I cannot say all what you do for me to date, I want you to understand that I am very thankful for all what you are doing for me, it is not easy for you to come all the way up to my house and appreciate my problems please keep it up.

May the Good Lord Almighty Bless You.

Thank you.

Stuart Mhango.

Angel Fundraising 2006

Fundraising Total 2006

Our final tally for last year’s fundraising was $72,000.

Since we began in 2001, we have raised a total of $150,000.

You can see how quickly we have grown.

In 2006, half our funds came from angel sales and half came from donations. We are a registered society but not a federally registered charity. However, our donors are very supportive because they like to know where our funds are going. They appreciate our direct project links. See the Thanks from Zambia section for one example.

How Much goes to Africa?

How much of your fundraising goes to Africa?

Over six year operation, 93% of our funds have gone directly to our 4 projects. Most of the 7% expenses covers the cost of buying the wooden pegs and beads, the glue and the wool that make up the base of the angel bodies.

How Many Angels?

How Many Angels have been Made?

Since 2001, Aids Angels Victoria have made 20,000 angels.

Thanks from Zambia

Thanks from Zambia

This message comes from Mrs. Dil at St. Nicholas Orphanage in Makeni, Zambia.

A very generous donation to African Aids Angels Victoria has enabled us to provide funding to build a new dormitory for the orphanned girls at Makeni. She addressed it Dr. Dil and his wife Lee Ann, our contacts for this project.

Dear Pierre and Leeann,

I became aware of this wonderful news ( funding for the dorm) on Sunday evening when Anton phoned me from England, but lost two very enthusiastic letters of thanks to you and AAA when we had power failures. As it happened in the daytime, I had nothing to warn me of the power failure until the computer stopped and I completely lost my messages !

We have had very good daily rains, but also daily electricity and telephone failures,.

…immediately convey to them (AAA and the donor) our heartfelt thanks for this wonderful gift. We are totally overwhelmed !!

We struggle with the immense workload, trying to keep uptodate with 21st century equipment, while the elements… and financial constraints, resulting in short-staffing, are constantly sabotaging us.

It is now 11.30 at night Tues. and I could reread your amazing news for the first time since yesterday morning, at 10am, when we had a powercut till 5pm, and I have since had no use of my telephone.

We have got in touch with the builders, and will let you know as soon as we start.

I am hoping that Truus and Jan will be coming out, sometime in this year, and it will be a lovely project for the children to do with Jan. I can just imagine the building covered with flying Angels ! (one of these guests is an artist, who could paint the dorm walls with angels)

At first we were only going to do an extension for the girls dormitory, but now we will try to do the same for the boys. Truus and Jan and friends of MEC in Holland and Flanders, have also been doing fundraising for this project, since it is quite expensive, so we will put our resources together.

As soon as we have done our sums and checked our combined finances, we will give you exact details of how your money will be spent.

Once again, grateful thanks and love

Blog Count

Blog

Look at the bottom right hand column. You will see a counter that tells how many people have looked at our blog since January 1, 2007.

Click on View My Stats then on Recent Visitor Map to see where the last 100 contacts
came from. Someone from Poland checked in this week, plus many hits from all over North America.

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings

You have been part of the most amazing year for African Aids Angels.

Here are just some of the year's events.


*Many new groups began on the Island and Mainland.
*Several home groups began in the Victoria area.
*Established craft events in Victoria invited our group to sell Angels at several new locations.
*Sales at local malls and shops were very successful.
*A home sale raised substantial funds for Aids Angels and generated lots of publicity.
*We have received many generous outright donations this year.

As a result, we have raised over $55,000 in 2006. That equals more than our previous five years (2000 to 2005) combined.

We are now working with our partners in Africa to determine the wisest and most effective ways of using these funds to support those affected by Aids.

We will give you more details in the new year.

Enjoy your holiday.

Message from Christine Allan in Zambia

I just received this news from Makeni Ecumenical Centre. I have their 2007 orphanage budget now, which I can present at the next committee meeting for the board.

Pierre

Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 12:22 AM

Subject: The 2007 Budget

Dear Pierre,

I am sending the 2007 budget, I hope that it will go through this time. The Bookkeepers say that it is only in early January that they will know whether the 2006 budget was met.

I am including some points that may assist in your presentation or write-up or discussions or for your information only:

Christopher, one of our youngest children, is going to Grade one next year. He is very excited about it. The thought of wearing a new uniform!

We have two new aunties, aunty Violet and aunty Christine. They have replaced aunty Grace and aunty Mary who left during the year.

The surroundings and grounds of the orphanage have improved greatly due to the hard work of Morgan Kayuni, the maintenance worker.

Bertha, the eldest girl now in Grade 12 at Katondwe Girls Boarding School, is having problems in Mathematics and Physics. Ted Krickan is coaching her in the two subjects while he is with us.

The Orphanage Girls Church Choir sang at a Candle Lighting Service on Saturday 2nd December. This was in remembrance of Worlds AIDS day that falls on 1st December. This a yearly event where churches from different denominations within Makeni area meet to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Best wishes,

Christine.

Thanks from South Africa via Oklahoma

*Sanibonani nonke! (Zulu)

(I greet all of you!)

I'm a Zulu South African presently living with my wife and our two sons

in a town called Edmond in Oklahoma, USA from where I'm sending

this e-mail message.

While searching the Internet for information I needed for a project on which

I'm currently working on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in my home country,

South Africa, I came across your informative web site.

On behalf of the AIDS orphans and their families you're helping in Africa,

I'm sending this e-mail .... of thanks.

Albeit an ordinary "Thank you" is entirely flat and inadequate in expressing our deepest gratitude.

With deep gratitude,

we say to all of you:-

SIYABONGA! (isiZulu, the language spoken by South Africa's largest tribe,

numbering +/- 12 million) The word, "Zulu", means: "heaven", therefore, Zulus are the children of heaven!

Zulus speak isiZulu and predominantly live in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

SIYABULELA! (isiXhosa, Dr. Nelson Mandela's vernacular)

[The Xhosa are the second largest group. They speak isiXhosa and live mainly in the Cape Province.]

BAIE DANKIE! (isiBhunu - Afrikaans) Afrikaans is a language similar to Dutch.

[During the difficult years of the former apartheid government, Afrikaans was a compulsory subject.]

May ...God bless you for the work you're doing for His beloved people in South Africa!

Sincerely,

John Mkhize

Thanks from Malawi

This weekend we had a surprise phone call from Teddy and Delirah Phiri, our Malawi contacts. Part of our funds provide seeds and fertilizer for Aids widows to grow food crops.

They called to say thank you to all of you and followed up with this email.


Dear Larry and Mary,

It was so nice to hear your voice. It much more real than emails.

The rains have started falling and people are busy tilling their gardens
and it that busy time for Delirah and Mrs Munthali in the fields.

Pass greetings to all the good people.

Teddy

Congratulations volunteers!

You have done a wonderful job !

We have raised almost $20,000 since November 1!

Here's where it came from:

Oak Bay Secondary Students raised $4ooo.

Sales at Hillside, University Heights, Westshore, Holy Cross: $4000

Shirley Hunter's home event $7500 to date

Craft Fairs at Commonwealth, Fair Trade, Amnesty, Dicken's Fair, Fibre Arts: $2750

Our faithful downtown shops: $600

Personal sales from you to your friends: $850

To the sales organizers: Anne, Fran, Barb, Linda, Shirley, Allison, Pierre, Carolyn, Vic, Lorraine, Ria, Elizabeth, Gail

To all the dozens of volunteers who glued hair, cut fabric, created wings, assembled bodies, dressed angels, collected materials, worked sales shifts, hosted angel making sessions, printed pamphlets, and all the hundreds of other small tasks that add up to this impressive result

Thank You!

Are you new to African Aids Angels?

Victoria Loves African Aids Angels!

If you are interested in the Angels projects, volunteering, getting involved or any other aspect of our organization, here's what to do.


1. Email us at lmbomford@gmail.com.

2. Type "Tell me more about Angels" in the subject line.

3. Include your contact information.

We will get back to you after Christmas. Our volunteers are working hard at Christmas sales and events, then they will take a well earned rest. We'll contact you when we start up again in January.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Angels news from South Africa

These are children of Thembalethu Orphanage.

AAA Victoria supports these children. $200 a year provides food for one child. $35 a year covers primary school fees, books and uniforms for the school age children.


The Born to Live program at St. Mary's Hospital at Marianhill provides Anti-retroviral drugs to pregnant women in order to block the transmission of AIDS from mother to child at delivery. Mother and child then need follow up medication. The cost of this treatment is $400 per person per year. AAA is one of the main supports for this program.

Malawi Project News

African Angels, our partner in Malawi, is providing agricultural training for youth orphanned by AIDS who need to support themselves and their younger brothers and sisters. This year is a pilot project, inspired by the success of one enterprising orphanned secondary school graduate who is finishing his second year as a successful market gardener. His example is inspiring others in his situation.

AAA Victoria and Seeds for Malawi (our Saltspring sister group) provide school fees for orphans until the end of secondary school. The fees are $200 per year per student. This covers uniforms, books and exam fees. AAA Victoria is supporting 30 students this year.

Family fragments affected by AIDS, (i.e. grandmothers, orphanned adolescents), receive support for growing maize and vegetables. $30 buys fertilizer and $20 buy seed for one crop year. AAA Victoria is supporting 30 family groups for seeds and fertilizer.

AAA also provides nutritional hospice support for those no longer able to grow a crop for themselves. $150 will provide a year's worth of food one individual.

Makeni Ecumenical Centre orphanage

St. Nicholas orphanage, that AAA supports in Zambia, can be found at the following coordinates with google earth:

15°27'50.22"S 28°14'42.31"E

You can download Google Earth at this site http://download.earth.googlepages.com/?gclid=COjO15aeqYgCFRDVYAodNRhnXQ

I've posted the image here too in case this is too hard to follow! The small cluster of buildings is the orhanage and the area around it Makeni Centre. Take care,

Pierre

I have lots of fabric to donate!

What kind of fabric do we need?

We have had many generous donations of fabric so we are well stocked. Storage is becoming a challenge.

Here is what we are still looking for:

glittery, good quality, bright, vibrantly coloured, party type fabric

real African fabric or bright ethnic fabrics

We have templates for cutting the fabric and will happily give them to anyone who wants to precut what they donate.



BLING!!!

We still need earrings and small brooches.


At the moment we have lots of beads and lace.

Thanks on Thanksgiving

This is a personal thanks to all of you who have done so much over the last few months. African Aids Angels is growing as an organization. We have new groups underway in Parksville, Qualicum, Chemainus, Pender Island, Comox, Sidney and others are exploring the possibility of starting up. These new groups have contributed almost $2000 in the last month.

In Victoria, volunteers are coming foward to help with the dozens of small, behind-the-scenes details that keep us running smoothly. Some are making wings at home. Some cut fabric. Some are working on organizing the sales and others are volunteering to sell. Many have begun putting hair on the angel bodies so they are ready for the dressings. Women from the Latter Day Saints have begun special groups to assist us in creating enough angels to supply us for the Christmas season.

There are angellers independently organizing fundraisers that will be of great benefit to us. A successful one was just held at the Stilt.

Each of our four projects requested $7000 worth of support for this year. We need to raise $30,000 to meet their needs. We are very close to reaching this goal, thanks to you.

An independent project appraiser recently visited African Angels in Malawi and was really impressed with the work they are doing with our support. Its wonderful to get this kind of feedback.

Many members talk about the great people they are meeting through African Aids Angels and I am always impressed with your generosity. Let's continue to make a difference with many small steps.

Mary Bomford

p.s. I'll be spending some time with my new red-haired grandson and may be slow to respond to enquiries. Be patient and imaginative!

Latest Malawi News

CBC Sept.24th

The IMF and the World Bank are canceling
a $2.9 billion debt for Malawi.

This is 90% of Malawi's international debt.

This is moment of opportunity for Malawi where the average income is $1 a day.

Hair for Angels

Angelic Hair

Marg Farley has generously offered to coordinate the details around getting hair on angels.

She now has the wool, glue and peg bodies and will be the central point for delivery and pick up of materials for putting on hair.

We are about to begin our busiest time of the year. We anticipate needing about 1000 angels between now and Christmas. If 10 people would commit to doing 100 angel hairdoes we would be fine.That's about 3 hours of work once you get a routine going. Right now we have 4 volunteers for this job.

Give them a break and share the load.

We will have more "hair instruction" at the next dressing Oct. 7th.

Contact Marg (margfarley@shaw.ca) if you can help.

Fear of Sales

Christmas Angel Sales

Last week many angel makers overcame their fear of doing angel hair. Congratulations!

The next challenge will be selling the angels.

We need over 30 volunteers ready to do a short 2 hour shift at one of our sales.

The angels sell themselves. You just need to collect the money! We provide all the materials. You just turn up with a smile.

We have coordinators for all the sales. Many thanks to Anne, Fran, and Barb.

Contact them to select your time and date:

Anne:jalowan@shaw.ca
Westshore: Nov. 2,3,4

Fran: franinvictoria@yahoo.ca
University Heights


Barb: bmckrow@shaw.ca
Hillside: Nov. 24,25,26

Fall Dates: Update

Saturday, October 7
10 a.m. til 2 p.m.
Drop in or bring your lunch if you come for the day,
St. Aidan's
3703 St. Aidans' Street
(check your map, this is tricky to find)


Tuesday Oct. 17
7 to 9 p.m.
Holy Cross Parish Center) next to church,
4049 Gordon Head Rd.
Angel Making


Note change
Wednesday October 18
6:30- 8:30 (Note Time!!)
James Bay New Horizons
234 Menzies
just north of Thrifty's James Bay
Angel Making



Oct. 25th: 7-9 p.m.
Susannes, 1273 Fairlane Terrace
Angel Making



Nov. 2,3,4
Westshore Mall
Anne Lowan in charge
Angel Sale


Nov. 6
Monday, 6:3o- 8:30 (note time)
James Bay New Horizons
234 Menzies
just north of Thrifty's James Bay
Angel Making


Nov. 17,18, 19
University Heights Sale
Fran Miller in charge


Tuesday, Nov. 21
Holy Cross Parish Center) next to church,
4049 Gordon Head Rd.
Angel Making



Nov. 24, 25, 26
Hillside Mall
Barb McCrow in charge
Angel Sale

Thrifty Smile Cards

Smile Cards good until December 2006

We have received a huge benefit from the Thrifty Smile Card program since December of 2005.

Thrifty's will be revising the program effective January 2007.

We can use our current cards until December 2006. We still have about 30 cards left and it is really worthwhile using them for the remaining 3 months of the program.

If you have lost yours and need a new one or you know someone who would like one, email Mary at bomford@island.net and cards will be mailed to you.

The Smile Card program will continue in a new form. We are not sure if we will qualify under the new program but we are immensely greatful to Thrifty's for the benefits we received this year. You could express your thanks when you use your card.

Students in Malawi

African Angels, our community contact group in Mzuzu, Malawi, is funding schools fees for children orphanned by AIDS. The funding is provided by Aids Angels, Victoria and Seeds for Malawi, Saltspring. These girls are attending high school with the support of African Angels.

A Letter from a Young Angel Maker

Heather lives on Pender and made angels with Mary, a member of one of our sister groups. Heather is 10 years old.

Dear Mary,

Thank you for letting me make “Aids Angels” with you and Andrea.
With each pieace added onto the Angel deep down I know that I have done a good deed. With the sales of the dolls, People in Africa are being given aid. Some people might think “Who cares? We have a good life it’s not our fault if they don’t have food and water.” But when we’ve made even just one “Aids Angel” and then turn on the TV and see those shows abouting giving aid to people in Africa, we know we’ve done a good deed. Thank you for giving me a richly deserving chance at doing my part for the world, Thanks again,

yours truly,
Heather

P.S I saw both my angels in the disaply window at the Driftwood. Oh how I felt!

A letter from Maria Ndolo

Maria receives funding for her school fees from African Angels. Her fees are covered by our sister group on Saltspring Island. She lives in Mzuzu, Malawi and responded to a request for a letter describing her situation and her hopes.

I am Maria Ndolo. I was born on 20th October 1991 at St. John's Hopsital here in Mzuzu and I am the fourth born of our family of five.

Life was going well with me when I was below 14 years. But my father was expelled from his job, not because of doing bad things but because he felt sick. He died on 20th July 2005. My mother was trying her best to find means of finding school fees but it was always difficult to make it for all of us in our family.

It has been my dream that I will be a lawyer one day and I thank God that he sent the African Angels to my rescue and I know I will acheive my goal.

Splenda for Splendid Angels

Do you use Splenda?

Could you keep the boxes? They have a lovely silver lining that some angel makers are using as a base for glitzy angel bodies. Bring them along to angel making sessions or email Mary at bomford@island.net for directions for other drop off opportunities.

Positively Africa

This will be of interest to Aids Angel makers. We are a group that makes direct community to community contact with our projects. Peggy and Peter will talk about the value of this kind of connection compared to working with much larger organizations.

positively AFRICA

Victoria talk and slide show

Who – Peggy Frank and Peter Bardon - “positively AFRICA“

What – Peter and Peggy will talk about their experiences and connections in Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa. They will discuss the importance of direct linkages with communities in Africa and provide some idea about what can and has been done.

Where – The Garth Homer Foundation Centre at 813 Darwin Ave (near the Saanich Municipal Hall, and the crner of Vernon Ave. and Saanich Rd)

When – 7pm on Friday Sept. 22, 2006

For more information call Peter and Peggy – 250 -537-7064 or 250-519-0040

Message from Malawi

Email from Teddy Phiri,
our Malawi contact

It is pleasing to hear of the great interest of people in the work of AAA. (African Aids Angels). Sometimes I can not believe what we have achieved over time in terms of your mobilisation of people in Canada to be involved in AAA fund raising activities. Reflect back on that dinner evening at your house. We could not imagine that today many people are benefitting in Malawi.

Teddy

Angel Sales

Angel Christmas Sales

The pre-Christmas season is the busiest time of the year for angels sales.

The new Westshore mall (formerly CanWest) is booked for Nov. 2,3,4. Anne Lowan is in charge and already coming up with creative plans. Contact Anne at jalowan@shaw.ca to help with selling.

Hillside Mall has given us Nov. 24,25,26. This is when Santa Claus arives so we will have a good crowd. Barb McCrow is in charge. Contact her at bmckrow@shaw .ca and choose your shift.

Other locations are University Heights and the Youth Craft Fair at Pearkes. We are looking for coordinators for those sales. Think about it. Contact Mary at 727-0226 or bomford@island.net if you are interested.

Angel Body Parts

Hair, Wings, Fabric and Tags

Join us Saturday, Sept 16 at St. Aidans, 3703 St. Aidans Street, from 10 til noon.

We need to stock up on angel parts to be ready for making angels to meet the Christmas rush.

Come join us and learn how the angel components are made. We will have four centers. You can move around and try all the different tasks.

This is for all of those who say, "Oh I m not so creative!" If you have never made an angel, come and make the components. Everyone is welcome.

We are looking forward to a big crowd. St. Aidans craftroom has lots of space. Check your map. It s near Mt. Tolmie but a little tricky to find.

See you there!

Autumn Aids Angels

Fall Aids Angels Schedule

The autumn nip is in the air. Please keep checking the dates below as you plan your fall schedule.
This will be updated regularly.

New Horizon's in James Bay, and the parishes of Holy Cross and St. Aidans in Saanich have donated us their spacious, well-lit facilities for making angels. We will use these locations regulary but still enjoy the warmth of volunteers homes once in a while. Special thanks to Susanne for her gracious hospitality.

We are trying to alternate between Saanich and Victoria locations to provide locations that are closer to your home.


Sept. 19: 7 -9 p.m.
Holy Cross Parish Center) next to church, 4049 Gordon Head Rd.
Angel Making

October 2
Monday 6:30- 8:30 (Note Time!!)
James Bay New Horizons
234 Menzies
just north of Thrifty's James Bay
Angel Making

Oct. 25th: 7-9 p.m.
Susannes, 1273 Fairlane Terrace
Angel Making

Nov. 6
Monday, 6:3- 7:30
James Bay New Horizons
234 Mnezies
just north of Thrifty's James Bay
Angel Making

Nov. 2,3,4
Westshore Mall
Angel Sale

Nov. 24, 25, 26
Hillside Mall
Angel Sale

Fear of Hair

A critical link (or curl) in the chain

Wouldn't you like to watch TV without guilt?

Make your TV time productive!

Learn how to put on Angel hair.

When you come to make angels, you just pick up that pre-prepared angel body and your creative juices flow, but, someone had to put hair on it.

We are immensely greatful to four volunteers who have been steadily putting hair on angels. Its time to lighten their load.

If you have reasonably steady hands and can set aside one or two hours of TV or DVD time to give the angels their hair you will become a very important link in the angel production team. You can do it at home. No meetings, no gas to burn. We admit its not the most exciting job in the world but we can't do without it.



Contact Anne at jalowan@shaw .ca or phone 744-3996 if you are interested.

UPDATE: workshop at St. Aidan's Sept. 16. See post above.

The Generosity of Scissors

Scissors Request

We have had a great response to the request for scissors! Thanks to all those who donated them.

We have a good supply of pinking shears now and hope that you'll enjoy using them for fabric trimming at the dressing sessions.

FAQ's draft

We need your input:

Check out the FAQ's draft.

Do you have other questions?

Are the answers here complete and clear for you?

Reply to Anne at jalowan@shaw.ca and copy to Mary at bomford@island.net

This will eventually become part of our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the African AIDS Angels

1. How do you transfer the funds to Africa?

Funds are transferred directly from our AAA Victoria account to the bank accounts of our four projects.

2. How do you distribute your funds?

Our funds are divided equally among the four projects and sent two or three times a year.

3. How do you know how the funds are being used?

Our board members have personal connections with each project. Several visits have been made to the projects and regular reports are provided by email and telephone.

4. Why did you choose those four projects to support?

The four projects were chosen because six of our board members have lived, worked or traveled in Zambia, Malawi and South Africa and have personal connections with those involved with each project.

5. What kinds of projects do you support?

African Aids Angels support people who are affected by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. We are supporting widows, orphans, family fragments and pregnant women with HIV/AIDS

6. Are you open to supporting other projects?

At this time the needs of our four projects continue to grow. We do not have the resources to expand beyond our current commitments. We are open to other groups outside the Vancouver Island area, using our model to raise funds for other AIDS projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

7. Are you a charity and can I get a tax receipt for my donation?

African Aids Angels is a registered society in B.C. We are not a registered charity with the federal government and therefore ineligible to provide charitable tax receipts.

8. How many volunteers are there in the organization?

Our Victoria group has over 150 volunteers.

9. What do your volunteers do?

Our volunteers make and sell angels, search out donated materials and prepare them for angel making, speak to educational and service organizations, and support the growth of new groups.

10. Do you have paid staff?

All our staff is volunteer.

11. What percentage of your funds goes to AIDS relief?

On average 93% of the funds raised go to our four projects.

12. Is African Aids Angels Victoria the only Angel group?

There are groups in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Seattle and many Vancouver Island towns. Contact us for more information.

13. I am a teacher. Can someone do a workshop for my class? What kind of information would be provided?

We do presentations for schools. We work with the teacher to provide age appropriate AIDS information for the class. We will assist with angel making provided that the teacher makes arrangements for the sale of the angels as part of the presentation.

14. This is such a huge pandemic. How can you make a difference?

We believe in the Japanese proverb that thousands of individual snowflakes will come together with enough weight to break a branch. We are one of thousands of small groups that together are making a difference.

15. Why are you sending money to Africa when we have homeless people here?

We have respect for all groups that support anyone in need. Many of our members support homeless people through local organizations. AAA is focused on AIDS relief in sub-Saharan Africa.

16. Is this a religiously based project?

We are not a religiously based organization. We are supported generously by many local churches. Our projects in Zambia and South Africa are managed by faith based groups. They are using our funds to support the needs of orphans and pregnant women with HIV/AIDS. Our funds are not used for proselytizing.

17. I would like to go to Africa to work. Can I help with one of your projects?

We do not arrange volunteer placements. Some of our projects occasionally accept volunteers but these arrangements must be made on an individual basis.

18. How can I get involved? How can my sister in Calgary start a project?

In the Victoria area we welcome new volunteers. Call or email and join our volunteer list.

Outside of the Victoria area you can email and ask for the angel making manual. Check the website for the current contact. The Manual for Making a Difference outlines everything you need to know about establishing a group, making and marketing angels. We also encourage other forms of fundraising to support our projects. Email if you interested.

Aids Background

Check the CBC website for information on the Toronto Aids Conference.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/08/13/aids-conference.html

Angel Progress

The demand continues for African Aids Angels. The Times Colonist article has created an enormous amount of interest. We have deposited over $6000 into the Angels account since the news story appeared. Over $1000 of that has come from direct donations and the rest has come from the sale of angels. We need everyone's effort just to keep up with the summer sales. It looks like we will be able to fulfil the requests of all four projects for this year if we continue at this pace.

See you on the 18th or the 31st!

James Bay Market Helpers

Carolyn will be selling angels at the James Bay Market on July 22 and August 17th. She needs helpers for set up, take down and a break time during the day. If you have time to help out contact her at czyha@shaw.ca

Market info:

-located at the corner of Menzies and Superior St, good bus service, stops right in front.
- open from 9am to 3pm
-we are expected to be ready to go for 9am, so set up starts at 8:30a.m., take down at 3 p.m.
- it's often breezy and cooler in James Bay, so bring layers.
- parking is available, I just need to know in advance so I can get parking passes.

Smile Cards for Angels

Aids Angels has a new supply of Thrifty Smile cards. We are still eligible for their program. If you are a Thrifty shopper and use the cards to buy your groceries, the Angels receive 5% of your purchase. This program costs you nothing and is a great fundraiser for our projects.

Try it out. Email bomford@island.net and ask for a Smile Card. Send your postal address and we will mail it to you with directions for use. Ask all your friends to try the card too!