Report by Pierre Dil on his visit to Zambia

Pierre, Lee Ann, and sons Matthew and Andrew Dil visited Makeni Ecumenical Centre , and the St. Nicholas orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia, in October 2012. Pierre is a board member of African AIDS Angels.

Pierre met with the heads of Makeni (MEC) management and Agriculture to enquire about AAA funding to the orphanage and agricultural projects benefitting families impacted by AIDS. We also assisted with a fun-day for the orphans. (Pierre cooked a record number of sausages and chicken legs on a BBQ!).

We toured the new school and computer lab at MEC. MEC now has limited bandwidth wi-fi.
Andrew has stayed on to work as a volunteer at MEC teaching physics and biology in the secondary school, and working one-on-one with orphans to do reading and homework projects, until December 1 2012. He will report to AAA on his return to BC.

We learned that a recent research project revealed 3 in 20 women in prenatal clinics are positive for HIV. There is the impression that rates and deaths are still high in Zambia, despite the availability of Anti-retroviral treatments (ARV), as ARV’s have led to carelessness amongst infected people (who can often look and feel well quickly after treatment, but are still carriers of the virus). More general statistics are found here.

We noted that the AAA funding supports about 10% of the total annual budget for the Makeni Ecumenical Centre and just under 33% of the orphanage budget. Aside from orphanage support, AAA funding is also designated to agricultural work supporting families affected by AIDS in Kawelwe village. The agricultural officer estimates 50% of families in settlement farms have some individual in their family who either has died of AIDS or has HIV. Friends of Makeni, and KKW, both Dutch organizations, had also been supporting the orphanage, however have retracted funding recently, saddling MEC with ever higher proportions of the total cost for the orphanage. Most funding for the orphanage is derived from school fees charged (as is the case for schools across Zambia) to the general public utilizing their school service.

There are currently 29 orphans in the orphanage ranging from infants to 18 year olds who have not completed secondary school yet. The general policy is MEC will keep orphans in the village, under the care of a house-mother supervisor, until they either fail Grade 9, or pass Grade 11, such that it is not unusual to have older teens still in residence. Every effort is then made to enable the child to either go on to a trade, employment, or enrollment in other adult employment courses at MEC. Almost always too, a distant relative is found to re-assimilate the child into Zambian society. Contact with distant relatives (in most cases of course their immediate parents are dead from AIDS) is encouraged throughout their years at Makeni.

There are emerging discipline problems with the older orphan teens, however these do not seem dissimilar to what the average Canadian family would experience with teens! The difference is, however, that the orphans do not have the tight family structure and care in a small family unit, to help them learn from their mistakes. This has put a strain on management at MEC, and new guidelines are being looked at, to encourage discipline. New intake might be limited to girls only (one idea being contemplated) or scholastic success will be insisted for older teens (or they will be released earlier to their extended family). Ideally another staff person should be hired to ease the problem, but they can not afford this.

Zambia’s President Sata declared, in 2012, that employers must comply with an increase of the minimum monthly wage, from K510,000 (where approximately K5000 equals one C$), to K1.2 million - more than double the previous rate. A second tier of the programme, would see those earning K800,000 per month making K1.6 million. Despite the apparent fairness of this change (a think-tank in Zambia calculated a family of 6 needs a minimum of K3.2 milion for a month to survive) there does not appear to have been much warning or discussion with employers, and there likely will be a crisis across the country as a result. MEC has no idea how they can comply with this increase, and an appeal to government was rejected.
Incidentally, the complexity of dealing with millions of kwacha, in budgets, should improve in 2013, with new currency coming into effect, cutting 3 zeros off all amounts!

MEC is exploring new and alternative sources of income, to assist in the shortfall in general income (see above comments regarding donors leaving, and new government pay guidelines which will adversely affect programming), such as fish-farming ventures, more enrollment for the school (a 50% increase in enrollment in the school would solve budgetary shortfalls), housing adult students for a fee, and possible tourism ventures (such as inviting tourists to experience a rural farm experience for a fee).
MEC has invited comment from AAA regarding the feasibility of a full scale evaluation of the agricultural component AAA funds at Kawelwa, at a cost of K40 million. Friends of Makeni have requested a full evaluation of MEC activities, but Terms of Reference have not been worked out.

Pierre is a member of the board of Makeni Ecumenical Centre, and also had discussion regarding leadership transitions and management needs, into the future years, with staff.

New Video from Malawi

Peter Kepkay has returned to Vancouver from Malawi and put together an informative 6-minute video on African AIDS Angels projects there. You can watch it on our website.

Peter is a long-time friend of Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island and visited the projects as part of a larger filming project still in the works. We are very grateful to him for sharing this copyrighted video.

Recent Donations

We have been fortunate to receive two big donations this year so far.

• The $5000 prize Nathan How won for the 14-17 year old category in the Canadian Living Me to We contest has been received. Check out the October issue of Canadian Living magazine for interviews with the winners. [see original blog item on May 27 for details]
• As Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island closed down its operations, the group gave $5000 to African AIDS Angels in addition to their last allocations to Malawi. [see previous blog item for details]

Both amounts will be added to the disbursements we make in January 2013 from 2012 funds. Thanks very much to all involved.

Supply depot in Victoria

The supply depot has returned to Vic and Lorraine Parsons' until the end of the year. It's the pick-up point in Victoria for angel supplies (bodies and glue), for completed angels for sales & shops, as well as the drop-off point for completed angels.

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

Cut or uncut cloth is available. If you want some for angel-making and can pick it up, contact africanaidsangels@gmail.com

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi

We have sent our annual donation to our partner group in Mzuzu, Malawi. This consists of $3000 from African AIDS Angels for nutrition support, and $9228 from Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island for school fees and support to farm groups.

Since this is the last time that Seeds for Malawi will be sending money, the group sent some additional financial gifts to the recipients and volunteer organizers in Malawi. The organizers in Malawi decided earlier that they have the capacity to continue with nutrition support, but not the other aspects of the program.

The September issue of Seeds for Malawi's newsletter which includes more details is at right. [Click on the image to enlarge, and press Control and + to enlarge further.]

When we receive some photo results from filmmaker Peter Kepkay's trip to Malawi, we will share them. A quote from him in the newsletter emphasizes the gratitude that the recipients expressed for your support.

African AIDS Angels will still support the nutrition component of this program, so our relationship with Malawi will continue.

Angel-making at University of Victoria

The angel-making group started by Megan at the University of Victoria in 2011 is back for the new school year.

Sessions are Tuesday evenings from September 18 to December 4, at 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Student Union Building Room B205. That's on the lower floor.

Everyone is welcome whether students or not. Instruction will be provided for newcomers. Thank you Megan and helpers!

Where to find angels in September

Looking for angels?

You can find a rack of them throughout the year at the shops listed on our website. There will be more added in the pre-Christmas season.

This month angels will be available at Metchosin Days on Sunday September 9, 4440 Happy Valley Road. Big thanks go to Ruth for organizing this annual table at the fall fair.

Quality Control for Angel-makers

We are approaching the busy season for angel "sales" and need lots of angels. Since our purpose is raising funds, we need to offer angels that donors will admire and want to select.

 If you are an angel-maker, please note the following:

• All parts of an angel need to be stable. The completed angel will be packed in a box and moved so the clothing and decoration may shift, sometimes making it less attractive. To make angels stable, all parts should be glued sufficiently, especially

• the cape glued at the bottom back to the dress
• the wings glued to the body or cape in several places, not just the centre
• all folded layers glued to each other
• dangling jewelry glued so it doesn't move or swing

• After considerable experience, we can report that feathers do not sell well. While a few angels with feathers may be desirable for variety, their use should be very sparing
• The neck should have no wood showing through. Use a narrow ribbon for a finished look at the neck.

Your attention to these adjustments will make our sales and fund-raising more productive. Thanks!

Salmon Arm Gallery & Cordova Bay Group

The Gondwana Gallery in Salmon Arm BC has been carrying Angels for several years. The Gallery is a fair trade store with a large number of items from Africa and elsewhere. The angels are made by the group at the Cordova Bay United Church in Victoria, and transported to the Interior.

One photo shows the large tree made from banana leaves which sits at the front of the store and displays the angels beautifully. [Click to enlarge it.] The second photo is of the owners and operators, Tibout and Marlene Glazenburg.  They support an orphanage in Africa as well as assist our fund-raising. We thank them!

The Cordova Bay group is winding down its efforts after meeting for almost four years. Roselyn (third photo) and Mary Margaret have been super volunteers, showing people how to make angels, preparing supplies for monthly sessions, and getting the angels to Salmon Arm. The Cordova Bay United Church has generously contributed free space and storage.

The final sessions will be in September and November, with no session in October. We wish Roselyn and Mary Margaret well with their increased free time.

We are open to a new monthly group starting if you have a location.

Markets in August

We'll be at these outdoor markets in August

• Sat. Aug. 18 James Bay Market, corner of Superior St. & Menzies, 9am to 3 pm
• Sat Aug. 25 Moss Street Market, corner of Moss St. & Fairfield Rd, 10 am to 2 pm

Stop by, say hello and pick up some new products. Many thanks go to the volunteers for the July and August markets.

AIDS 2012

Two news items from the 19th International AIDS Conference held last week in Washington. Over 20,000 people gathered for the biennial meeting.

1. AIDS and Women

A shift in the emphasis of PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) programming towards viewing women not solely as the deliverers of babies, but as people who deserve to live in their own right, was called for at the conference. Despite significant progress in preventing mother to child transmission, Dr. Chewe Luo of UNICEF cautioned that there needs to be a shift that includes focusing on treatment for women.
This means that regardless of CD4 count, pregnant women should start anti-retroviral therapy for life, instead of just the pregnancy period. Ultimately this therapy could lead to fewer children orphaned by AIDS, and an increased likelihood that a woman’s subsequent babies would be protected. [CD4 or T-cells are part of the immune system. The number of CD4 cells in a drop of blood is an indication of the progression of HIV and possibly AIDS.]
Women are both biologically and culturally more vulnerable to infection. Young women between 15 and 24 account for around 70% of the total number of young people living with HIV. Among this age group, females are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, discrimination and self-esteem issues that might make it difficult to negotiate condom use.
Continuing the emphasis on gender equality, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Geeta Rao Gupta affirmed that all young women should be afforded the same support as expectant mothers if progress is to be made. "These adolescent girls and young women represent an unfinished agenda in the AIDS response," she stated.

2. Investment in prevention and treatment

Domestic investment on HIV and AIDS has for the first time exceeded global international investment on the epidemic, according to a new report released by UNAIDS called Together We Will End AIDS.

• International assistance has largely remained the same from 2006 to 2011. 
• Conversely, domestic spending on HIV and AIDS has increased by more than 50% in 81 countries. 
• Sub-Saharan Africa (except South Africa) increased public investment by a staggering 97%. 
• Low and middle-income countries are progressively taking ownership and becoming accountable for their own AIDS epidemic.

The report shows that the number of AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections have both declined from 2010. It also states that the number of people accessing treatment in low and middle-income countries is up by 20% from last year, to just over half of those who are eligible.

Updates from South Africa

These are summaries of reports received from South Africa where Angels funds go to St. Mary's Hospital's Born to Live program, and the Tembalethu Orphanage.
  
1. Progress report on St. Mary's Hospital Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)

"The overall aim of our programme is to prevent and reduce the transmission of HIV from the mother to the unborn baby, ensure that all pregnant mothers know their HIV status before they deliver, and that all exposed babies are fully immunised up to 18 months.
An African Union Commission plan to reduce maternal mortality throughout Africa includes a focus on best practices. During the launch of the South African component of the initiative in KwaZulu Natal province, St. Mary's Hospital was honoured to be requested to showcase its outstanding performance regarding Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission. This is a testament to the hospital's ongoing commitment towards the reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV.
Currently donations including yours are allocated to operational costs of maintaining the high standard of performance in this prevention programme. We are ever grateful for the support received to be able to deliver such a comprehensive, high calibre programme to our beneficiaries."

African AIDS Angels donated $13,477 to the program this year.
 
2. Thembalethu Orphanage

"The children and the sisters are doing well. With some of the money received, we sent a sister to attend the trainer's course on 'HIV/AIDS and the care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children' so she can help train our caregivers on the same.
We continue to pay for an after-school teacher who does tremendous work helping the older children who may have never been to school, and in turn they can help the younger children.
Some of the money we are saving for the building of a cottage in order to improve the living accommodation for the children.

[A hospital formerly operating on the site was moved 20 kilometres away in the late 90s. The sisters recognized the pressing need to assist HIV/AIDS orphans and used the old wards to accommodate the children. In 2005 the government legislated nationwide that children should be housed in cottages of no more than 6 with a housemother in a more homely environment.]

"We have a plan and a builder but we are short of funds. Each cottage costs about $8400 and we need to build six of them. If we can build a cottage with the money from African AIDS Angels, we will ask you to name the cottage. We hope with the help from you together we can do it."
Sr. Andrea

African AIDS Angels donated $10,600 this year: $7614 to the orphanage, and $2985 for an outreach program.

New treasurer

If you have collected money on behalf of African AIDS Angels or wish to make a cash donation, we have a new treasurer and a new address.

Brian Price has been on the Board for the past two years and is a qualified accountant.
Please write cheques or money orders payable to African AIDS Angels: do not make them out to Brian.
      Brian Price
      23-4051 Shelbourne St.
      Victoria BC   V8N 3E5
       tel. 250-721-3763

Questions should still be directed to the general AIDS Angels email address.

Current board members are:
Vic Parsons
Pierre Dil
Carol Sherwood
Brian Price
Sandra Dennis
Laura How
Nathan How
Barb McKrow.

Volunteers for Sale Tables

   

UPDATE: The volunteer spots for July are now full. If you would like to volunteer for the next Moss Street Market on Saturday August 25 between 9 and 2, please send an email.

In Victoria we are looking for volunteers at an outdoor sale table in July. Shifts are usually 2 to 3 hours.
    
NOW FULL Sat. July 14 - James Bay Market, Superior St. at Menzies St. 8am (set-up) to 3 pm.
Please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com if you are interested.

You can also find us at the Moss Street Market (Moss St. near Fairfield Rd.) on Saturday July 28 from 10 am to 2 pm. We have enough volunteers for this one already.

Me to We Contest

Congratulations to Nathan How for winning his age category in the Me to We contest. African AIDS Angels will be receiving $5000 as a result. (See the blog item below from May 27 if you missed the details.)

Watch for news in the September issue of Canadian Living magazine. Thanks to all of you who voted to make this happen.

Supply Depot in Victoria

The supply depot in Victoria is at Linda Foley's house by appointment for July and August. She has angel bodies and hot glue sticks, and will accept completed angels.

The address is
4310 Maltwood Lane
(off Emily Carr Drive & Maltwood Terrace in the high Quadra/Broadmead area)  map
250-881-1536

Many thanks go to Linda for doing this.

Volunteers for Sale Tables

Where do all those angels go? African AIDS Angels will have a sale tent at the

• Canada Day celebration
• Sunday July 1
• along the Gorge waterway 
• put on by the Tillicum-Gorge Community Association. 

The exact hours are not yet determined but we would like your help for a few hours at this fun event. Volunteers are particularly needed around 8:30 or 9 am for set-up, and 4 pm for packing up.

The area is closed to vehicles (except during set-up and take down) so you should expect to do some walking. You can volunteer with a friend or family member if you wish.

Please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com if you can make it.

The next summer markets for presenting angels will be Saturdays July 14 & 28, August 18 & 25. Do they fit your schedule?

Supply depot - Victoria

The supply depot in Victoria will be open from June 8 to about June 24, then moving to the second address below.

The pick-up point in Victoria for angel supplies and completed angels for sales, as well as the drop-off point for completed angels from June 8 to 24 is :

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

Around June 25 and through the summer, supplies will be available by appointment from:

• Linda Foley
• 4310 Maltwood Lane
• (off Emily Carr Drive and Maltwood Terrace)
• 250-881-1536

Nathan How nominated to finals of Me to We Award

Hello everyone,

 

Vic Parsons, Chair of AAA, has nominated Nathan How, one of our young board members for a Me to We Award. He has been chosen as one of three finalists. The winner will recieve $5,000 to donate to their charity of choice. The winner will be determined by an online vote. 

Nathan has chosen to award any money earned to AAA, if he wins. 

Here's how you can help us earn this money:

 

Please take a brief moment to vote in the 2012 Me to We Awards and help African Aids Angels win $5000!

 

Type or copy this address: www.metoweawards.com. Click into  the section marked "vote now".

 

Find the section for Youth in Action 13 - 17 years.

 

If you agree to, vote for Nathan How, one of our board of directors. For better or worse, you must vote for someone in all six categories (It makes for interesting reading I assure you. See what young community leaders are up to). There is a $5000 prize for each category.

 

Voting ends June 8 so don't delay - vote right now!

 

Did you know.............

 

• Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV / Aids than anywhere else on earth
• One in four children in Zambia has been orphaned by HIV / Aids.
• Since the beginning of the epidemic, 14.8 million children have lost one or both parents

Please forward this message to your friends, family, co-workers, neighbours - anyone who supports your work with AAA. Post it to Facebook, Twitter, a poster in the office. Encourage people to pass it along to school friends, youth groups and anyone else who would like to support the cause.

 

Thank you!

 

Pierre Dil

Changes to Malawi Program

After consideration for some time, our partners in Malawi have decided to scale back their intensive efforts to help people in their community who are affected by HIV/AIDS. As has been reported before, Teddy Phiri suffered a stroke several years ago and some of his responsibilities have been picked up by his wife Delirah and another couple.

This volunteer group of four decided to continue the nutrition support project which supplies supplementary food to 20 people who are on ARV medication but cannot farm due to their health status. A few are well enough to start small businesses such as selling cold drinks.

The money for the nutrition support project comes from African AIDS Angels. The money for the other larger components which will end in 2013 - secondary school fees and farm inputs for 50 to 80 farmers - comes to us from Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island.

The Seeds for Malawi group headed by Susan Evans has decided that this is also the time to wind down their efforts. This group which is affiliated with the Saltspring Garden Club has worked extremely hard for many years to raise substantial funds, mainly by selling high quality plants which they grow themselves. We congratulate them and thank for all their efforts.

We will be sending their last donation as usual in September this year.  Please read their newsletter for further explanation. Click on the image to enlarge, then press Control and + to enlarge further..