Marketing in Victoria

The Angels fund-raising process has many components. The Board of Directors is keen to find a volunteer for marketing and distribution of angels in Greater Victoria.

The job will require an hour or two a week for much of the year, and possibly a few hours when sales are on. The tasks are:

1. Research, suggest, and contact new low-cost marketing venues such as fairs and recreation centres
   
2. Maintain annual liaison with some existing venues which have been successful
3. Assist with set-up and supply of tables at "sale" events.
   

Training will be provided. Ability to use email is required and use of a vehicle is recommended. This position is separate from supply to shops.

If you can help with all or part of this position, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com so we can meet to discuss the details.

Youth Committee

We have a small but active Youth Committee in Victoria which visits school classes and other youth groups. Sessions involve students' making an angel and learning about the people we are assisting in southern Africa. Usually a team of two volunteers is involved. The teacher and class are responsible for collecting their own donations afterward.

If the Committee expands, we can reach more classes. If you are interested in young people and would like to participate or want more information, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com.

Supply Depot in Victoria for February

Supplies (bodies, name tags, hot glue sticks) will be available for angel-makers in Victoria from Feb. 4 to 22. Completed angels can also be dropped off. Contact:

• Vic Parsons
• 1473 Banff Pl. (off Doncaster) map
• 250-472-6499
• lvparsons@shaw.ca

If you rely on the bus, arrangements can usually be made to meet at a nearby shopping mall.

Photos from Malawi

Delirah Phiri, our contact in Mzuzu, Malawi sent some new photos of aid recipients. Delirah reports that it's raining frequently which is good for the crops. But fuel is very scarce and if you are able to "find it by chance..prices have soared skyhigh".
If you click on a picture, it will enlarge.
The women above receive supplementary food since their health status prevents them from farming.
The second group are farmers in Choma who receive seeds and fertilizer for three years to feed their families.
Delirah expresses admiration for Bettie Ngulube from the Choma group. Bettie (photo below) has no fingers but still tills the land and is secretary of the group. "I was deeply touched and amazed with this woman's spirit to keep working," Delirah writes.

Money Collected?

If you have collected money for African AIDS Angels, please write a cheque or obtain a money order and mail it to

• African AIDS Angels
• c/o 1855 Neil St.
• Victoria BC V8R 3C6.

Please email us (africanaidsangels@gmail.com) if you need other ways to transfer money.

Cash donations by credit card can be made through the PayPal account on our website, and we use this for online angel orders as well. However PayPal is not a preferred way to send money you've collected for angels because of the fees charged. Thanks.

News from Away

More good news from out-of-town groups:

1) Sandi in Los Angeles who knows people in BC has been making angels for several years and sent another donation from her community efforts

2) a small church group in Red Deer Alberta sent a large cheque from their one-and-a half year project. A newcomer from Victoria who had made angels before suggested this activity to a group of busy young moms and young middle-aged women. Emily calls it an amazing, wonderful experience which met all their goals.
With new babies on the scene and one person moving away, the group has discontinued making angels but they send best wishes to other angel-making groups and the recipients of our proceeds in southern Africa.

University of Victoria group

Last spring a prospective student at the University of Victoria - Megan - expressed interest in making angels. Since our weekday sessions are not convenient for students, we suggested she might like to establish a club at UVic which could meet at an appropriate time. Megan took this challenge on, and after the completion of one successful term, sent this report:

With the guidance and support of AAA board members Laura and Sandra, we created AIDS Angels UVic as a club on campus. We meet every Tuesday evening for a couple hours, making the Angels from supplies generously given to us by Sandra, Carol and Barb.

The other girls who have joined our group bring creativity and positive energy: I truly couldn't have done it without their folding and crafting and gluing efforts! We had a very successful first term, raising around $200 in Angel sales on World AIDS Day on December 1st at UVic, as well as another day on campus.

World AIDS Day was especially rewarding, as I got to work with UVic Aid for AIDS and the African Awareness Club to collaborate on the day's events. A representative from the Island Sexual Health Clinic was at one of our tables which included both information and AIDS Angels. Later that day a guest speaker held a discussion on her anthropological research with AIDS and Papua New Guinea indigenous peoples. Overall, it was a great day for drumming up awareness!

Out-of-town Groups

Congratulations and thanks to:

• Judy and her Nova Scotia colleagues who have raised a total of $10,000 since starting only in spring 2009
• groups in Roberts Creek, Vancouver, and Pender Island who have added to their substantial totals this year.

We are so impressed and grateful.

Supply Depot in Victoria

Supplies for angel-makers are available from now until January 8, so please plan ahead if you need bodies or name-tags. After January 8, there will be a break until February.

The pick-up point for angel supplies and completed angels for sales, as well as the drop-off point for completed angels has changed from Linda Foley's back to:

Vic & Lorraine Parsons
1473 Banff Place (off Doncaster), map
250-472-6499
lvparsons@shaw.ca

Thanks very much to Linda Foley for helping out during the past few busy months.

We need new angels year-round to supply shops and other small sales in the spring/summer.

Where to find Angels

Looking for Angels? Generous shops which carry a small rack of angels are listed on our website.
Welcome and thanks to our newest shops:

• Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, 4071 Shelbourne St. (at Feltham)
• Sorensen Books, 1027 Cook St. (at Fort)
• Tia’s Heritage Cafe, 5305 West Saanich Road (near Sparton)
• Mazouna Moroccan Bazaar, 715 Douglas St, opp. Convention Centre

A Gift of Hope

Please consider making a cash donation to African AIDS Angels this holiday season. The money will go directly to the projects we support in southern Africa for children, families, and pregnant women who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

A donation is a great way to honour someone who has everything, or everything he or she needs. In the past a couple has made this their gift to each other, and people have made donations for friends who are overseas where gifts are difficult to send. It's a great gift when you don't know what to get for someone, or when you know they will support your gesture of goodwill.

If you wish, for donations of $15 or more you can receive a Gift of Hope card which says in part, "

A Gift of Hope has been made in your name to African AIDS Angels, with best wishes from..."

We will mail the card to you or your recipient.
To make a donation by credit card, use the Donations page on our website.
To make a donation by cheque, mail it to

• African AIDS Angels
• c/o 1855 Neil St
• Victoria BC V8R 3C6

indicating where the Gift of Hope card should be sent. Happy Holidays.

Where to find angels

Upcoming places to find angels in Victoria:

• Sat. Nov. 26, VIDEA Fair Trade Fair, First Metropolitan United Church, Balmoral at Quadra, 10-4, admission by donation
• Thur. Dec. 1, World AIDS Day tables at Camosun College (in front of Fisher Building) and University of Victoria
• Fri.-Sun. Dec. 2-4, Hillside Mall kiosk, between Sears & Purdy's, all mall hours
• Sat. Dec. 3, Dickens Craft Fair, James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego St., 3-9 pm, admission by donation

Festival of Trees

Leadership students at Mt. Douglas High School in Victoria have made 200 angels and decorated a tree at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This is part of the annual BC Children's Hospital fund-raiser, the Festival of Trees. The students are honouring a classmate who has been treated by the hospital.

The trees are on the main and lower floors at the Empress from now until January 6, open at all hours. You can vote for your favourite with a donation of $2 or more benefiting the hospital.

If anyone is inspired by the tree to buy an angel, Nathan and Laura found a new shop nearby to carry our regular angels. Check out Mazouna Moroccan Bazaar, 715 Douglas St, across from the Convention Centre.

News from Out-of-Town Groups

We are very grateful to the Out-of-Town group members who contribute to AIDS Angels fund-raising.

• The small but mighty group in Parksville/Qualicum recently raised $900 at the KAIROS World Trade Bazaar, and continues to supply some local shops.
• The Halifax group has a branch in Yarmouth which raised $442 at a craft sale. At a national sorority conference the Halifax group made $1013 plus some excellent contacts.
• An angel-maker in Vancouver who supplied a table at Simon Fraser University for a few years couldn't continue, but some other angel-makers in Vancouver have taken it over.

These groups and others are extremely important to the funds that we send to southern Africa.

Open House Photos

Photos of some of the excellent angels seen at the Nov. 5 Open House are now in the Angel Gallery.

There are also some on our Facebook page.

Hillside Mall December 2-4

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Open House on Nov. 5 a success. We are now looking for volunteers to help at the Hillside Mall kiosk on these dates:

• Friday Dec.2
• Saturday Dec. 3
• Sunday Dec. 4

We need to staff all open hours of the mall, which is 9 am to 9 pm, except Sunday which ends at 6 pm.

If you can help for a few hours or have questions, contact Barb McKrow, bmckrow@shaw.ca. Your name will go on a list and you will be contacted later about the schedule. Thanks!

Trees at Empress Hotel

Every year the BC Children's Hospital has a major fund-raiser at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. The Festival of Trees on display for six weeks presents a special opportunity for groups and individuals to support the important work of the BC Children's Hospital.

This year a dedicated group of leadership students at Mt. Douglas High School are making African AIDS Angels to decorate their tree. They are contributing in honour of a fellow student who has been helped by the hospital, and later the angels will be available for African AIDS Angels fund-raising.

This event runs from November 22 to January 6. You can check it out and vote for your favourite tree. Thanks to board members Sandra Dennis and Nathan How for making this dual-purpose event happen, as well as to all the students involved.

Fair Trade on November 26

VIDEA'S FAIR TRADE FAIR

Saturday November 26th
First Metropolitan United Church Hall
932 Balmoral Road at Quadra St, Victoria
10am - 4pm

Come out and support over 35 local fair trade vendors, including African AIDS Angels. Make your holiday purchases with a conscience, enjoy great live music, food from the International Women's Catering Coop, good friends, door prizes and lots more! Admission is by donation and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

African AIDS Angels has enough volunteers for this table. Thanks to those participating.

Open House this Saturday Nov. 5

Be sure to attend our annual Open House in Victoria. See the clever handiwork of dozens of angel-makers, including standing angels for tabletop decoration.

Saturday Nov. 5
10 am to 3 pm
Swan Lake Nature House

map

Free admission and refreshments. Donations per angel are a minimum of $10 at this special event.

Bring a friend and combine the Open House with a stroll along Swan Lake's refreshing boardwalk.

Angel-making Sessions

Please join these upcoming angel-making sessions. They are drop-in events with instruction provided, and you do not need to bring anything. For maps and future dates, check the Calendar at the bottom of this page.

1. EVENING Thursday Nov. 3, 7 pm, Holy Cross Parish Hall ( behind the church), 4049 Gordon Head Road
2. Wed. Nov. 16, 1-3 pm, Cordova Bay United Church, 813 Claremont Ave, beside Claremont School
3. Mon. Nov. 21, James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan Ave.
4. Student group every Tuesday evening, 6:30 pm at UVic Student Union Bldg, lower floor, except during Reading Break.
   

You may also drop off completed angels at these times.

Videa Fair Trade Fair, November 26, posters

We have all time slots covered with at least one person, but there are two times, 12 noon to 2 p.m, and 2 p.m to 4 p.m, that might need one more person each. If we have two people there at all times, it gives you a chance to wonder around to see all the exhibits.

Click on the title of this post, above to go to the Videa web site, with the poster for this event!

You can download the poster and handout here, by clicking on colour highlighted words.

If you can volunteer to sell angels at this exciting event, please let me know (reply to aids angels e-mail address),

Pierre Dil

Supply & Distribution Depot in Victoria

Linda Foley has kindly agreed to handle distribution of supplies and acceptance of completed angels. This will last into the fall until further notice.

Linda's phone number is 250-881-1536 and her address is 4310 Maltwood Lane (in the Broadmead/High Quadra area). map

Vic and Lorraine Parsons, the regular distributors, will be unavailable.

Fall Events

Here's a summary of the bigger events happening in Victoria this fall.

• November 5, Saturday, 10 to 3: African AIDS Angels Open House at Swan Lake Nature House
• November 26, Saturday: VIDEA Fair Trade Fair. See other posting for volunteer requests.
• December 2-4, Friday eve. to Sunday: Angels at Hillside Mall kiosk
• December 3, Saturday: Dickens Fair, James Bay Community School
• November 22 -January 6: Angel tree at Empress Hotel, part of the BC Children's Hospital fund-raiser, entered by Mt. Douglas High School leadership group

Videa Fair Trade Fair, Volunteers needed

African AIDS Angels will be selling angels at a table at the Videa Fair Trade fair, on November 26, 2011, from 10 am to 4 p.m. The location is Metropolitan First United Church Hall, 932 Balmoral Road, in Victoria.

We need volunteers (2 for each of time slots 10-12 noon, 12-2 pm, and 2-4 pm) to sell angels and be responsible for talking to the public about AAA.

This is a really fun event to volunteer for, and with two people available at the table you have ample time to spell each other offf and browse around the other exhibits. It is a great time to do some Christmas shopping.

Lee Ann and I will take the first time slot (10am to 12 noon) so we wil set-up the table.

The persons covering 2-4 pm will need to take down the display and pack up angels/supplies, to be returned to Pierre and Lee Ann Dil's house.

If you think you could assist with this, reply to the AAA gmail address, or leave a comment in reply to this on the blog! Thank you,

Pierre Dil

Golden donations

With the high price of gold these days, it's well worth it to check any jewelry donations you have received. If an earring, brooch or chain is marked on the back at 10k, 18k, or 24k, you can turn it into a cash donation.

Recently a volunteer received $55 for two items at a jeweler/gold recycler. If you want the name of a shop in Victoria, send us an email.

Angels club at UVic

An angels club is forming at the University of Victoria.
If you're a student there or know a student who is interested in making angels, send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com. We'll put you in touch.

Angels and Quality Control

We're heading into the busy season for fund-raising and look forward to receiving your angels. Please take a moment to note a few points on quality control.

• All parts should be secure. Hold the angel up, or hang it briefly to make sure all parts are fully attached.
• The skirt seam should be fully glued, not flapping open.
• The name tag should be attached with a single split piece of raffia which is soft, not stiff, and hanging about 3 to 4 inches down the back.

Angels are handled several times and packed in boxes, so they need to be well constructed with future handling and donors in mind.

Where to find angels

Angels will be available at these upcoming events in the Victoria area:

• Sunday September 11 - Metchosin Fall Fair, Happy Valley Rd., Metchosin
  
• Saturday September 17 and October 8 - Peninsula Country Market, Saanich Fairgrounds, Mt. Newton Cross Road, 9 am - 1 pm.

For angels at any time, consult the list of generous shops on our website.

We are always in need of more places to present angels. Please send an email if you have a small or large opportunity to add angels to an event.

News from South African Projects

Following receipt of the second half of their 2011 allocation from African AIDS Angels, the people responsible for the South African progams sent reports and thanks:

Thembalethu (Assisi) orphanage
Sister Andrea, in charge of the children’s shelter, thanked the AAA volunteers for the funds sent in June. “You are the real angels. You have such special ways – a kind of magic touch. Your donation was highly appreciated, more than words can say. There is a world of special meaning in the words that comes your way.”

The head of the Outreach program, Sister Evarista, recently passed away and her place has been taken by a newly retired teacher.

The youngest child now at the shelter was born in March and abandoned by his mother in the hospital at Port Shepstone. “He is growing well and is spoiled by everyone.” Sister Fakazile is still helping the school-age children in their studies after the school day is finished. This has dramatically improved the children’s grades. The photo shows the children's playroom building.

There will be a change in the infrastructure at Thembalethu. The Sisters had originally found accommodation for the orphans in a wing of a former hospital. The South African government is requiring the construction of cottages which will be the homes for 6 to 8 children each. This has proven to be a better system overall but will stretch the resources of Thembalethu. The photo shows the former hospital.

St. Mary’s Hospital - Born to Live Program
Sheena Hardiman from the large hospital at Marianhill near Durban calls the AAA volunteers “stars” and thanks them all for the June contribution to the Born to Live program.

In the past year, she says, 964 mothers have gone through the antenatal classes. Forty-three per cent of those women were HIV-positive. “All of these mothers would have received treatment to prevent the unborn baby from getting HIV and the babies would receive the preventative drug at birth.”

“We have many more mothers giving birth at St. Mary’s who may not have been through the Born to Live program but come through referral clinics and are HIV positive. We give the mothers the preventative drug and to the baby at birth. These number 1908. Our statistics still show a 96 per cent success rate. These moms and babies remain in the program post-delivery until 18 months when the final blood test is taken to see if the baby is HIV negative.”

Sheena says one indication Born to Live is working is that fewer children are being admitted to hospital who are HIV positive at a very young age.

Sunday August 7, Glendale Gardens

We are still looking for volunteers to staff a booth in Victoria for a couple of hours on

Sunday August 7, between 11 and 5,
especially at 5 pm.

You're welcome to sign up with a relative or friend if you prefer. Arts & Music at Glendale Gardens, (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific),505 Quayle Rd, accessible via Interurban or West Saanich Road. Artists will be working throughout the 9 acres of spectacular gardens. Location map.
Please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com if you can help.

A big thanks to the great people who have been helping at sales this spring and summer: Fran, Barb, Lesley, Ruth, Nathan, Laura, Meaghan, LoraBeth, Brenda, Shawna, Erin, Elizabeth, Wynne, Terry, Kathie, Cathy, Barb, Marcia, and Brian.

Seeds for Malawi Garden Party

Click on the newsletter image to read about Seeds for Malawi's very successful garden party/fundraiser on Saltspring Island.
Use Control & + to increase the print size (Command & + on a Mac).

Their Mill Bay chapter also did very well at their plant sale. Congratulations to all the volunteers.

Malawi Photos

Some new photos received from Malawi. Shows recipients of agricultural assistance with their maize harvest which produces the staple food for the next year.

Volunteer to help our fund-raising

Volunteers are needed for marketing angels. Please help with a few hours at a table in Victoria this summer. The next markets are:

Saturday July 16, James Bay Market, open from 9 am to 3 pm.

Saturday & Sunday, August 6 & 7, Arts & Music at Glendale Gardens (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific). Open 11 to 5 each day.
505 Quayle Rd, accessible via Interurban or West Saanich Road. Artists will be working throughout the 9 acres of spectacular gardens. Location map.

If you can spare a few hours to help, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com. Thanks!

AIDS Background

Some easy to read library books about people affected by AIDS in Africa:

• Sizwe's test: a young man's journey through Africa's AIDS epidemic by Jonny Steinberg. One man's decision on whether to be tested for HIV guides a South African journalist as he learns about the ups and downs of AIDS treatment in a rural area.
• Taking away the distance: a young orphan's journey and the AIDS epidemic in Africa by Miles Roston. An American documentary filmmaker meets an AIDS orphan in Kenya and over a few years the two explore what local leaders and the global community are doing about the epidemic.
• 28: stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen. A Canadian journalist meets 28 people affected by AIDS in different parts of Africa, and tells their highly individual stories.

Or pick a country that interests you and read about the state of HIV/AIDS there on the website Avert.

James Bay Market

Volunteers are still needed in Victoria for table at James Bay Market, Saturday June 18 at 9 am or 1 pm.

If you like to plan ahead, volunteers also needed for same market on Saturday July 16.

Send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com. Thanks!

Seeds for Malawi- Lunch in the Garden

Click on the title above for info on the Saturday June 4 garden party. Then check out the rest of Seeds for Malawi's web site.

Board of Directors 2011/12

The following people were elected to the board at the Annual General Meeting on May 26:

continuing:

• Vic Parsons
• Pierre Dil
• Carol Sherwood
• Brian Price - joined the board in spring 2011

new:

• Meaghan Jantzi
• Sandra Dennis (How), Laura How, Nathan How (shared position)

James Bay Market

Angels will be available at the outdoor James Bay Saturday Market on two dates, June 18 and July 16. The location is the corner of Menzies and Superior Streets in James Bay.

If you can help by staffing a table, please send a email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com.
The shifts are:

• 8:15 am - 10:30
• 10:30 - 1 pm
• 1 - 3:30 (or slightly earlier when takedown is complete).

If you do not have a preference for a time slot, that makes it easier for us. Thanks!

Annual General Meeting

You are invited to the

• African AIDS Angels Annual General Meeting
• Wednesday May 25
• James Bay New Horizons
• 234 Menzies St.
• 7 pm

Annual report and election of board members.

Presentation by Nathan & Laura How, teenagers who visited the Makeni orphanage in Zambia with their parents. They have spoken at some schools and will share their views with us.

Cloth exchange: do you have some cloth or trim that's suitable for angels but you're tired of it? Bring it for the exchange table and take home something new. No Christmas patterns please.

Seeds for Malawi Website & News

Susan Evans of Seeds for Malawi on Salt Spring Island sent this item:
"Our big news this year is our website, www.seedsformalawi.org which we hope will become an effective fund-raising tool. In addition to information on Seeds for Malawi, it contains attractive catalogues of our fund-raising merchandise, which includes a wide variety of garden plants and quality locally-made gift items.
Join us on

• Saturday June 4 – a fund-raising lunch in a gorgeous Salt Spring seaside garden. Plants and funky garden sculptures will be among the items for sale. Tickets $20."
  

This is good opportunity for an expedition to get some great plants and other well-made items in support of Seeds for Malawi. Check their web site for details. Advance tickets required: may be sold out.

Letter from Malawi

A student in Malawi wrote a letter to express her appreciation for having her school fees paid by Seeds for Malawi, via African AIDS Angels.
Click on the letter to enlarge it.

This photo shows some student recipients and their teachers.

Malawi Harvest

Delirah Phiri sent a brief note this week:

The rains here have been good and people are expecting a very good harvest here.

Some people have already started eating green maize or corn as you call it.

Hope you are fine. We are all fine here ..

Teddy , Gilda and Vincent send their regards.

Volunteers for Mother's Day Paint-In and Craft Fair

When?
Sunday May 8, 2011

Where?
Royal Roads University in the beautiful Hatley Park National Historic Site

What do we need?
6 volunteers for three shifts of 2.5 hour to staff a sales/publicity table at the event

Times are

1. 9.00-11.30
   
2. 11.30-2.00
   
3. 2.00-4.30
   
   If you can spare some time to help with this important fundraising and awareness event please e-mail the Volunteer Coordinator Brian Price at brianlprice@shaw.ca . Please advise any time preferences or restrictions that you have
   
   Thank you all very much

St. Mary's Hospital, Marianhill

One of our recipients, the Born to Live program at St. Mary's Hospital, Marianhill, South Africa, included a short article about African AIDS Angels in its recent newsletter. Click on the title above to read the page. It says in part,

St. Mary’s would like to extend a very special thank you to these individuals - who we consider our angels – because they look out for our hospital and every child we care for.

The picture in the article is from the Ottawa group which started jointly with Victoria but now operates independently.

For more information about children at the hospital, but not the Born to Live program, click on the blue line at the top of the newsletter where it says Meet our Patients.

Bling

The supply of costume jewelery, single earrings, and fancy buttons known as bling for angel decoration is running low.
Some people find it easy to collect from their choir, church or other community group.
If you have some to donate, please contact Vic Parsons by email lvparsons@shaw.ca or phone 250-472-6499. Thanks.

Help Wanted

We are looking for some specific volunteers in Victoria to increase the distribution of angels. Here are the brief job requirements:

1. Find new small shops to carry a small rack of angels, especially in areas not already covered. Western Communities would be welcome. Oak Bay and James Bay have good coverage already. Venues include hairdressers and an immunization travel clinic: the current list is on our website. Other volunteers will supply the angels and collect money later if required.
   
   
2. Research and contact new low-cost marketing venues for occasional tables like fairs and recreation centres.
   
   
3. Store and distribute a small amount of angel-making supplies when Vic Parsons is out of town for a few weeks. Should be in one of the core municipalities.
   
   
4. Store materials for occasional sale venues, including a Rubbermaid tub, fold-up table, signs, and a canopy which folds to smaller than a golf bag and has wheels. Should be in one of the core municipalities.

There are many components to making AIDS Angels work, so if you can help with one of these positions, we would really appreciate it.

Training, letters and brochures will be provided where needed. If you have any questions or want more details, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com. Thanks for assisting.

Executive Changes

Some Board of Directors members have recently changed their executive roles:

Vic Parsons is now Chair of the Board
Pierre Dil is Secretary
Carol Sherwood continues as Treasurer.

Carol Sherwood is also the new overall Coordinator following Mary Bomford's decrease in workload. Several other coordinators will be taking on parts of the AIDS Angels system. You can always contact us by email africanaidsangels@gmail.com.

Makeni Extension work report

Please click on the title (above) to see latest Zambia report on Agricultural extension work funded by AAA.

Makeni Newsletter

Please click on title (above) to see Makeni centre's latest newsletter, from Zambia

Letter from Makeni orphan who is now a teacher

Makeni Ecumenical centre

Po box 50255,

Lusaka, Zambia.

23 December 2010.

Dear friends of Makeni,

I am very happy to write to you. I hope this letter finds you in good health and if so, may the name of our Lord Jesus be praised, because you are indeed good people who deserve every goodness from God.

I write to you to say thank you very much for your moral, emotional, spiritual and financial support that you gave me throughout my life. You truly have a heart to serve human kind, most especially the orphans. I pray that God will continue to bless you so that my remaining brothers and sisters at St. Nicholas Home will be able to receive the support I received all round from grade six up to the time that I have now become a teacher. Without your help all would have not been possible. I pray that in the near future I will open my own school where I will be of help to the under-privileged through education, as it is the key to success and of course good moral behaviour.

There were times in life I just felt like my whole world is gone. But your love towards us always kept me realise that, there are people in this world who care about us even though they are very far away. Your support towards me and every child at St. Nicholas Children’s Home is very important because it goes beyond what our parents and guardians would have offered. Your support is surely the greatest thing I have received in this world. I will continue thanking you and pray for you everyday as long as I live.

There are many orphans who have dropped out of school because of financial difficulties. Thank God that I have not been a victim of such. The reason why this has happened to me……….??? Definitely, …… the answer is because you have played a role of a parent in my life and made sure that I attained the required education. I am currently waiting for my Teacher’s Certificate and it appears MEC wants to retain me as a Teacher at the Centre for now.

I really don’t know how to thank you because am ever short of words whenever I think of the wonders that you the friends of Makeni are doing for us and other people around the world. May God bless the works of your hands. Zikomo kwambiri. {thank you very much} once again.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Yours with a lots of love,

Bertha Kabwe

Mary Bomford

At the end of 2010, Mary Bomford stepped down as coordinator and Board chair of African AIDS Angels for health reasons. She will continue to be involved, but not to the same degree.

Mary has devoted a tremendous amount of time for more than 6 years to building a successful organization. She has inspired many others to become involved. Everyone appreciated Mary's openness, her commitment and her good humour.

Operations will continue as before, with the Board of Directors making adjustments to roles. If you have any queries or needs, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com and you will receive a prompt reply.

Happy New Year!

Best wishes to everyone for a happy new year in 2011. Thanks so much to everyone who helped to raise funds for the projects we support for children and families in southern Africa.

Our total has slightly exceeded the amount raised last year. Our partner groups in Malawi, Zambia and South Africa will be pleased that their work can continue at the same pace.

Here is some news we have received from angel-makers recently.

1. Groups in Roberts Creek BC and Parksville/Qualicum have continued their impressive and successful efforts with high-quality angels.

2. Gondwana Gallery in Salmon Arm BC has sold out of its stock and requested more, which is made in Victoria at Cordova Bay United Church.

3. A minister in Victoria was given a Christmas card with $20 from a parishioner. Since he can't accept money, he donated the money to African AIDS Angels. The parishioner will receive an angel in return.

4. In Nova Scotia, Timberlea United Baptist Church has taken up angel-making and raised a significant amount of money. Angels in a rural store and other efforts in Halifax produce regular and welcome contributions to our total.

5. In Powell River BC, new volunteers emerged in November to produce lots of angels and have the best year yet.

6. On Saltspring Island, Seeds for Malawi had a very successful season producing and marketing craft items.

7. In Victoria, the annual Open House in November and kiosk at Hillside Mall saw lots of angels and quite a bit of money change hands. Angels in shops did well just before Christmas.

8. A group of 4 angel-makers in Vancouver did a 2-day workshop with 400 students at an elementary school. Their combined efforts raised almost $2000. The group of mainly retired teachers did a similar workshop at another school last year.

Thanks to each and every person who contributed to all these (and many other) efforts in so many ways. It's truly impressive that so many people are willing to help the cause of African AIDS Angels. Have a peaceful new year.

Where to Obtain Angels

Angels are available on a small rack at these generous shops. Thanks for your support.

Give a Gift of Hope Card

A Gift of Hope Card from African AIDS Angels is a handy acknowledgment that spreads good cheer in the holiday season.

Not sure what to buy for someone? Donate a minimum of $15 to African AIDS Angels and we will provide you with a gift card or mail it on your behalf. Your friend, relative or colleague then knows that you have donated to a good cause in his or her honour.

You can obtain a gift card by cheque or credit card.

By Cheque: Write a cheque for $15 or more to African AIDS Angels and mail it
c/o 1855 Neil Street
Victoria BC V8R 3C6.
Specify your mailing address or the address of the recipient.

By Credit card: Go to the Donations page of our website and use the secure service PayPal. The first page is your credit card information. On the second page, select the line which says "+ Add Special Instructions to Seller". In this box, add that you want a Gift Card, and provide the mailing address. You can put several recipients in the same box, provided you donate at least $15 per gift card.

The amount of $15 provides school supplies for 2 orphans for a year, or more than a week's supply of food. Everybody wins with this thoughtful gift!

Angel Supplies in Victoria

If you pick up angel-making supplies from the Parsons in Victoria, please note that they will not be available on these dates:

December 13 - 18
December 31 - January 16.

Please plan ahead if you expect to need supplies or to drop off angels in these time periods.

Seeds for Malawi - October 2010

Check out the latest newsletter from Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

African AIDS Angels (Victoria, B.C) Joins Facebook

African AIDS Angels (Victoria, B.C) has an Official Page on Facebook. This social networking site of over 500 million active users will be a great advantage to African AIDS Angels in getting information about our organization out to more people. Our Official Page can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/African-AIDS-Angels-Victoria-BC/118775558181664?v=wall and will contain information, photos, links and updates specific to the Victoria, B.C group.

If you are a Facebook user, please visit our Official Page and "like" our page in order to stay in touch and receive updates from us via Facebook.

Facebook is like a snowball effect, and if you "like" our Page, your Facebook Friends will notice our Page, and so will their Friends, and so on....Let's get the word out there and spread the news about African AIDS Angels. Please help us by visiting our Page and clicking the "like" button.

Also, please visit our Open House Event Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143393875707596 to view photos, info, RSVP to the Open House and invite your friends.

Angel Craft Fairs

Saturday, November 13, 10 am-3pm
Angels Open House Swan Lake Nature House.
off McKenzie, via Rainbow or Nelthorpe


Sat & Sun, November 20-21, 10am – 5pm

Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr, Victoria

Angels available at Gail Blais' craft table. $3 admission to big fair.

Friday Nov. 26-Sunday Nov.28 -Hillside Mall, kiosk near Centre Court, Fri. & Sat. 9:30am-9pm, Sun. 11-5. *



Sat. Nov. 27 - VIDEA Fair Trade Fair, First Metropolitan Church, 932 Balmoral, 10-4 pm. *


Saturday, December 4, James Bay Community School Centre at 140 Oswego St.
Dickens Fair
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM



*volunteers still needed. Contact africanaidsangels@gmail.com to volunteer.

Angel Making in November

Have you been thinking of making angels but haven't taken that first step?
Now is the time. We need everyone's angels to fill the demand from now until Christmas.

All materials and instruction provided.

Click on Calendar for maps and details.


Thu., Nov. 11, 7pm – 9pm

4049 Gordon Head Rd., Victoria

Holy Cross Church Hall (behind church).

Sat., Nov. 13 10 am- noon
St. Aidan's United Church, St. Aidan's St. off Cedar Hill Crossroad.

Mon., November 15, 1pm – 3pm

547 Michigan, James Bay, Victoria B.C.

Wed., November 17, 1pm – 3pm

Cordova Bay United Church

813 Claremont Ave. Enter via double doors going into the Church.

Angels Shopping Bag


Shop with the Angels at your side.

Fair traded, durable cotton

13 1/2 " X 15"

$8.00 for AAA volunteers.

Available at our craft fairs in November and December.

Open House Sat. November 13

Join us in Victoria for the annual
Angels Open House Saturday November 13, 10 am-3pm Swan Lake Nature House.

Hundreds of angels will be available for donations, plus cards, magnets, canvas tote bags, napkin rings. Refreshments provided.

Minimum donation per angel at this event is $10.

For a printable version of the poster or to volunteer, send us an email. If you have a Facebook account, please visit the Open House page and share the notice with your friends.

Swan Lake Nature House is accessible from Mackenzie Avenue (near Blanshard), and then Rainbow or Nelthorpe Streets.

African AIDS Angels 10th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, The African AIDS Angels Society celebrated 10 years of successfully supporting families in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS through projects in Malawi, Zambia and South Africa. The celebration took place in the James Bay New Horizons Community Center. Wonderful and lively African music was performed by the Mufaro Marimba Band, Angels and other products were on display and tea, coffee and other refreshments were served. Board members introduced themselves (pictured above left) to the supporters in attendance and information about the projects in Africa was presented. Congratulations to African AIDS Angels on 10 successful years.

Videa Fair Trade poster

click on the title above for poster, to print, share, e-mail. AAA will be there selling angels. Still seeking two people to help sell angels! Contact Pierre or Lee Ann.

November 27

Opportunities to Help

Fall is the busy season for getting Angels into the community. All of these events are very important to our fund-raising. You can volunteer to help at:

Angels Open House
On Saturday November 13 African AIDS Angels presents the annual Open House at the Swan Lake Nature House from 10 am to 3 pm. Volunteers are needed for 2-hour shifts to help with wrapping purchases or greeting/directing people at the door. If you can help, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com.
We are also looking for someone to coordinate/schedule volunteers for this event. It is not a difficult job as people are willing and eager to participate. Volunteer or ask us for more information.

Craft Fairs and Tables
Help is needed for the following events:

Friday Nov. 26-Sunday Nov.28 -Hillside Mall, kiosk near Centre Court, Fri. & Sat. 9:30am-9pm, Sun. 11-5.

Sat. Nov. 27 - VIDEA Fair Trade Fair, First Metropolitan Church, 932 Balmoral, 10-4 pm.


If you can help, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com. Shifts are likely 2 hours long. The coordinator of the event will contact you about times.

Volunteers needed for Angel sales

FAIR TRADE FAIR

Nov 27, 2010 10:00am - 4:00pm

Location: First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Rd, Victoria

We need 3-4 people to assist with two hour shifts, either noon to 2 p.m, or 2-4 p.m

Contact Pierre or Lee Ann to volunteer!

Nova Scotia News

Truro Daily News

A group of people gathered Saturday in the basement of the Truro library to create some colorful little angels to help improve lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

The volunteers were working for the African Aids Angels project, which makes ornamental angels to raise funds for people affected by HIV/AIDS. " I started a group in Nova Scotia over a year ago," said Judy Staritt. " We've raised $5000 so far."

Starritt, who is a retired high school teacher, is pleased to see young people taking part in the project, but also got her 86 year old mother involved in angel making.

13 year old Alicia Cooke, of Bass River, heard about the angels from Starritt, who has a cottage near her home. "I love doing crafts so I really enjoy doing this, " she said.

Brenda Peters, the library's teen program coordinator, said they hope to promote volunteerism in teens, and those who take part in such activities at the library receive certificates at the end of the year. "It real community out reach, " she said "Hopefully, it catches them as volunteers for the future."

Truro Daily News Monday, September 27, 2010

News from Malawi

September is the beginning of the growing season in Malawi. AAA Victoria sends funds to our AAA Malawi group at this time of the year so they can begin preparations for delivering seeds and fertilizer to those in need.

We have had two phone conversations with Delirah Phiri in September to talk about the project.

In 2009/2010 95 families were supported with seeds and fertilizer. The rains were good and the harvest provided enough food to carry a family of 6 through the year.

Food support continues for 21 HIV positive individuals. Delirah reports, "The beneficiaries under nutritional support are all alive and well. Some are even getting stronger, their immunity improving, and weight increasing. This is possible because of ARV's and the nutritional support they are being given."

Student support: 31 students (many orphanned by AIDS ) were supported. 11 of them wrote final exams.

Delirah said, " Expenses are covered for two Extension Workers who help us in teaching the farmers how to apply modern technology in order to improve their harvest. They also work hand in hand with communities so it is easier for us to know more about the beneficiaries."

The plan for 2010/2011 is to help 80 farm families, the ongoing 21 HIV positive persons and 30 students.

Delirah, Gilda, Teddy and Vincent consider the current costs of fertilizer and seeds when making decisions on how to use AAA Victoria funding. These four work as volunteers. AAA covers their transport and office costs but they donate all their own time working around job and familycommitments.

For 2010/2011 AAA has forwarded $13,000 to Malawi. These funds will benefit 540 individuals (based on 6 per farm family) at the average cost of of $20 per person.

Makeni Ecumenical CENTRE 2010 BUDGET NOTES

Please click on the title above to open the document

MAKENI ECUMENICAL CENTRE AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT PROJECT WORKPLAN 2010

Click on the title above  to open the document.

Sandra Howe's power point presentation, Makeni, 10th anniversary

click on the title above to open power point show

What a great job Sandra did presenting this. If you missed it, here's your chance to see it all.

Makeni REPORT on the 2009/2010 May to June AFRICAN AIDS ANGEL - EXTENSION SUPPORT PROJECT (AAA-ESP) for Chisamba & Mwomboshi Settlement Villages.

Click on the title above to link to document sent from Makeni

Pierre

Evening Angel Making

Angels in the Evening

For those who can't attend a daytime angel making session here is the perfect opportunity to meet and be inspired by other AAA volunteers.

Angel Making at Holy Cross Parish Hall

Oct. Thurs., October 14, 7pm – 9pm
4049 Gordon Head Rd., Victoria

Nov. Thurs., November 11, 7pm – 9pm



Click on the calendar dates (green box) for a map and further details.