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.