Angel Making in 2009

2009 African Aids Angels

Angels will take a well deserved rest in January.

Sessions will begin again at:

James Bay Community Project: 547 Michigan

Monday, Jan. 26: 12:30 -2:30

Monday, Feb. 23rd: 12:30 -2:30


LDS Church, 2990 Quadra

Feb. 10: 7-9 p.m. , enter by back door

Where to send donations

Donations

If you have funds to submit, please write a cheque or postal order to African AIDS Angels, and mail it

c/o 1855 Neil Street

Victoria BC V8R 3C6.

If you have questions, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Oak Bay Student Fundraiser

For the third consecutive year, students at Oak Bay High School have raised funds for African Aids Angels. This year the school's Leadership group raised more than $2100 for our African projects. Thanks are due to teachers Corrina Simpson and Mark Schippers, and to student co-ordinator Mary Erlick, for their efforts on AAA's behalf. Also, to our own Barb McKrow who has been instrumental in bringing our project to the forefront at the high school. Finally, credit must also be given to Sara Johnston, who spoke to the students about her experience working as a volunteer for three months at Thembalethu orphanage in South Africa.

Angel-making Groups Outside Victoria

There are hard-working and enthusiastic groups of angel makers in a variety of locations. They make a major contribution to the funds we send to southern Africa each year. This blog entry brings news from some of the groups. [If you click on photos, they will enlarge.]

Roberts Creek, BC

Roberts Creek is on the Sunshine Coast near Sechelt. Miki works with a group there, and coordinates with friends making angels in Vancouver. Many of their angels are sewn rather than glued, and they ask for $12 donations for those. Sometimes they add a folded red ribbon as an AIDS reminder. They also supply angels to the Seymour Art Gallery in Vancouver.

"We had an "inspiration" workshop with the Roberts Creek group and the Vancouver people recently. We shared ideas, new patterns, lots of encouragement and 240 angel forms to dress up and sell....and a delicious potluck lunch.

Some makers from Vancouver will be working on more cone form angels but we will continue with our angels here. I really appreciate the pictures on the website....really very attractive and we've picked up on ideas.

Someone didn't like our original stands so my husband constructed stair shelves which I covered with pale fabric. The loops on top of the angels' heads are hooked onto individual hooks to stabilize them on the narrow shelves. Each of the 35 angels are clearly displayed and we can see at a glance where we have to 'refill.' (This picture is in the Angels Gallery referred to above.)

Leona (Vancouver) has a supply of angels magnets which we give to people who are very generous or buy several angels. The magnets are business-card size with the logo of African Aids Angels, which she ran off on the copy machine and cut out and glued onto the magnets. We also have them on a magnetic stand and people can put any amount of donation in a container in exchange for a magnet."

Parksville/Qualicum Kairos

A small group in Parksville/Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island is coordinated by Julianna. Kairos is an ecumenical church movement promoting social justice. They sent some photos of a recent sale and one of their work parties. The total of funds raised by this group is truly outstanding.

If you click on a photo, it will enlarge.




Venice California

Sandra first saw AIDS Angels in Victoria and took the idea back to Venice California. The group's angels are available in a local shop. Recently Sandra sent this photo and explanation.

"These are students enrolled in an introductory class for occupational therapy at Santa Monica College. The instructor, my friend and colleague, had the students make angels to learn about activity analysis and therapy. The students loved the project, made some great angels for us, and some decided to donate money to the project as well.
We're busy creating stock for the holiday sales. Everyone loves the angels."

Short Notes from Elsewhere

Lenore in Chemainus says that the angels continue to go very well and they can barely keep up.

Doreen in Duncan has taken responsibility for keeping Wishes supplied. It's an New Age store and the angels have been flying out the door.

Carol in Campbell River says her daughter is at university in Squamish this year with a box of angel-making supplies. She and a friend made them in high school last year and will continue. Carol adds "They're both very 'crafty' so I know their angels will be beautifully made.

At the weekend I went to hear Romeo Dallaire speak in Courtenay. He spoke of the absolute importance of Non-Government Aid Agencies in troubled areas and it certainly made me think of the African AIDS Angels project and the difference we are making in the world."

Congratulations and Happy New Year to all of the angel-making groups and individuals.

Angels in Shops

If your friends and co-workers have missed out on getting angels at local craft fairs, don't forget there are generous shops which carry a small rack of angels all year-round. The list is always available on our website.

Thanks go to the volunteers who have made these contacts and keep the stores supplied.

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi Newsletter

Here is the current addition of Seeds for Malawi's newsletter.

Click on newsletter to enlarge,

Letter from the Outreach program

We received a letter from Sister Evarista in South Africa. She is in charge of the Outreach program at Assisi. (She is also the cousin of Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Luthuli). African AIDS Angels donated $2000 to their community Outreach program in 2007, in addition to funds for the Thembalethu orphanage. She refers to people that our volunteers Vic and Lorraine met when they worked with Sister Evarista last summer.

"Thank you very much for the donation ($2000). We buy food parcels with your money and feed our orphans and sick people...some of those you know have died. Mr. Shibe Petry (the one with a stroke whom we helped get a pension and wheelchair) died in October. His sister is again coming for food because she was dependent upon his pension...the situation in Africa is not good. Food is very expensive. When we buy food parcels it is never enough for these sick people and so many orphans. Thank you very much for your help. May God bless you all and your people there."

Congratulations to Angel Volunteers

Dickens Fair , Dec.
A great day that raised over $600. This is a real neighbourhood event.


Hillside Mall, Nov. 21-23
Three days of dedicated effort by a large team of volunteers raised over $2860.


Videa Fair Trade Fare, Nov. 22

This year's Fair Trade Fare was energized by music and dancing right next to the African Aids Angels display where our volunteers raised $870.

Open House Success, Nov. 15

On a beautiful sunny Saturday Our Open House event raised over $5800.

Thanks to all the volunteers and to the Pike family who graciously hosted us.



Commonwealth Pool Craft Fair, Nov.15-16

We also raised $580 at the Commonwealth Pool craft fair this weekend. Thanks to Gail who shared her craft table.


Check below for our next craft fairs.

Where to Find Angels

Angel Craft Fairs

Volunteers in place: Thanks to everyone who signed up.


Nov. 15 Angel Open House 11 am – 4 pm,
971 Madison Ave.

Nov. 15, 16 Commonwealth Pool Craft Fair

Nov. 21, 22, 23 Hillside Mall Fair

Nov. 22, 10 am - 4 pm, Videa Fair Trade Fair,
Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral, off Quadra

Dec. 6 Dickens Fair 10 til 4, James Bay Community School,
140 Oswego

Dec. 6/7 St. Joseph the Worker Parish, after services

Dec. 7 St. Aidan's, after service

Dec. 14 Holy Cross Parish. after services

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi Newsletter

What's happening with Seeds for Malawi?

This group passes its funds on to African AIDS Angels for Malawi agricultural projects. Check out the October newsletter from Saltspring Island.

Malawi Report

Malawi News

Delirah Phiri has just sent a report of last years progress.

Here are some highlights:

45 orphans were supported with school and uniform fees and kerosene for light to study by.

28 youth have been trained in market gardening skills:
“Some people have established their gardens next to our trainees to have access to equipment and the advice of the extension workers. Some ...trainees are taking vegetable gardens as their main source of generating income.”

80 family fragments (mostly AIDS widows and seniors) have been supplied with enough seed and fertilizer to feed themselves for a year.


20 HIV positive persons on ARV’s (antiretorvirals keep the AIDS virus at bay) are supported with food items and farming inputs. No one in the program has died. It is important for people on ARV’s to have enough food. “This intervention is prolonging people’s lives and as a result it reduces the number of orphaned children.”

In total 173 people are supported directly by African Aids Angels at the cost of $108 per person in 2007/08. Each of these in turn supports other individuals in a variety of ways.

The volunteers in Malawi took 50 trips last year delivering food, fertilizer, school fees, and visiting the people who are receiving assistance to monitor their progress. When Stan Shannon, our volunteer from Pender Island, visited Malawi this spring he said he could see there was a very strong personal relationship between the African Angels volunteers in Malawi and the people they serve.

The biggest challenge for next year is the rising cost of fertilizer and gas world wide.

Seeds for Malawi

Support food sustainability and education in Africa while indulging your passion for plants.

"Salt Spring Island Seeds for Malawi", a project of the Garden Club, raises funds year-round for the African AIDS Angels project in Malawi by selling quality, interesting plants well-potted in a sterile commercial mix. Volunteers propagate shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, native plants, and bulbs. Request a list of our extensive inventory by contacting susanevans@telus.net. Plants can be purchased at any time of the year by appointment. Plant sales occur from time to time at public events.

** Seeds for Malawi will have a display table with great plants at the Fulford Hall, headquarters of the SSI Apple Festival this coming Sunday, Sept. 28, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For information on the Applefest, www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/

** Seeds for Malawi Fall Plant Sale Saturday Oct. 18, 1:00 p.m. at the Farmers' Institute, 349 Rainbow Rd., Salt Spring Island. This is a combined sale with the SSI Garden Club. To avoid disappointment, arrive by opening time...the sale is usually winding down after about an hour. "

Malawi

Agricultural Training

AAA has supported many orphans through to the end of high school. However, when they graduate there are very few jobs. In 2007 and 2008 AAA funded training in Market Gardening. The funds provide tools, seed and fertilizer for one year’s crop. Also AAA pays the local Agricultural Extension officer to teach the courses for young people to start up small agricultural businesses. (There is no government funding available for such an initiative.) Thirty youths have trained each year.This year the ratio of girls to boys is about 50/50. Several students from last year's program have become independent farmers.

Teddy Phiri’s note from Malawi:

”Our intervention for the youths in agricultural production is a miracle.
As you are aware we trained them and gave them materials
individually. These are scattered homesteads. So far each beneficiary is doing
extremely well. It is so pleasing that girls are even doing better than
boys. What is also pleasing is that the assistance went to one individual
on the homestead but the reality is the whole homestead has access to the
watering can and the sprayer thus the whole homestead was encouraged to grow
vegetables.”

Check the website for new photos including the youth training workshop.

AAA Guests and Travellers

Guests

The Aids Angels Board was delighted to meet with Bishop Mulungise of South Africa who visited Victoria in June. He is our connection to Thembalethu Orphanage and St. Mary’s Hospital. In July, we met Wenda Dil of St. Nicholas Orphanage, Makeni Center, Zambia. She described the progress of the new dormitory block. Wenda told us the orphans are very healthy and well cared for. Now Makeni Center is concerned about how to support children in the area still living with single parents who struggle to feed and educate them.

Both Mrs. Dil and Bishop Mulungise emphasized the importance of AAA and the very positive impact of the funds we have raised.

Travellers

Stan Shannon has just returned from two months working in Malawi for the Salvation Army. He was able to visit the AAA group in Mzuzu, Malawi and meet some of the people we support. He met a group of five widows who have been restored to life with ARV drugs and nutritional support from AAA. All five women are now healthy enough to grow their own food.

Thanks from South Africa

This month we sent the second half of our 2008 disbursements to 3 projects in South Africa and Zambia. Vic and Lorraine Parsons spent time in South Africa at the end of last year, and received these emails back in response to the funds.

Born to Live, Mariannhill Hospital (support to HIV-positive pregnant women, new mothers and babies).

Greetings to you! This is fantastic - thank you so much!

We most certainly will send you information on our programme and our other HIV and AIDS treatment programmes.

Keep well and God Bless! Kind regards,
Sheena

Thembalethu Assisi Orphanage

Thank you very much for your email and the donation. Your generosity is very much appreciated. I shall pass it on to Srs Andrea, Evarista and Pacis.

The children are happy. They play ball outside and enjoy walking round the convent, pretending they are visiting sisters.

Sr. Andrea was laughing because she sleeps in the same quarters with them and when she is not in her room, the children hide her shoes and say they are helping her to clean her room.

Thank you and your people who are committed to help the little ones.

The creche [a community facility not funded by African AIDS Angels] has been painted with colour outside and drawings inside of animals, cars, a big bus and aeroplane. It is beautiful. But your little friends add on their own drawings on top!

We will send you more information. We hope to see you again.
Sr Basil

Saltspring Newsletter

Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island has produced another issue of their newsletter. You can catch up on their fundraising efforts here.

Seeds for Malawi passes their funds on to African AIDS Angels.

New Shop

Art Knapps Plantland at Matticks Farm

We are delighted to announce that Plantland at Mattick's farm will begin carrying African Aids Angels.

We have a had great response to our request for volunteers to deliver angels to Plantland. Someone is now in place. Thanks to everyone that offered their time. We hope that some of you will stay on our list as a back up for angel delivery when things get really busy in November and December.

Garage Sale

Angel Garage Sale in Cyberspace

Do you have some interesting items that could go in a garage sale? What about that ornate mirror? Outlived rocking chair? Extra dishes?

Used Victoria will help you turn these into cash for African Aids Angels.

Here’s how:

1. Take a digital photo of your item. (i.e. chair)

2. Write a brief description of the item and set a price

3. Email photo, description and price to Erin at erin.ruff@saanich.ca

She will post it on Used Victoria, noting that the funds raised go to African Aids Angels, along with our weblink. If there is a buyer, Erin will send you the person’s contact information and you set up a time for the item to be picked up at your home.

If you are familiar with Used Victoria you can do this yourself. Please be sure to include the link to African Aids Angels. It is another way of spreading our name in the community.

These will be cash only transactions.

Does this work?

Mary's note: I raised $215 in 3 days by clearing out a few cupboards. I’m happy with the new space and two more bags of food corn will be available for hospice care in Malawi.

For Out of Town groups, you can try the same thing using Craig’s List. Let us know your results.

November 15

House Event.

African Aids Angels will once again have a special holiday event hosted in a private home. It will be open to the whole community. Please put November 15^th on your calendar and think about who you will invite.

More news when the leaves turn colour! Now go enjoy the summer.

Fabric

Surplus Fabric

We are often donated very large pieces of fabric. We use part of the donated material for making angels but have been looking for someone who could use the surplus.

We have learned that Beacon Community Services accepts fabric for their thrift shop. You can drop off your extra fabric and support another community group. Check for a shop in your area. There is one on Quadra and one in Sidney.