As mentioned in previous posts, the AIDS epidemic in South Africa is horrendous. And those bearing the greatest burden of the disease are the children who lose their parent’s at such an early age, and as a result become orphaned. South Africa has the second highest percentage of AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, one of the regions of our world where AIDS is still spreading rampantly. The Positive Change Project has committed to making an positive impact on this enormous problem through providing basic needs. In order to keep doing this we need your support, but we recognize that everyone is at different place in life so we put together a list of 10 ways you can realistically help.
1.) Raise Awareness. The first step to helping AIDS orphans in Africa is to raise awareness. Often times Africa can seem either so far away (out of sight, out of mind) or so hopeless (nothing I do individually will make a difference). But just the simple act of raising awareness will keep this problem in the public eye, which is vital for garnering the support that these children so desperately need. You can do this right now, there are links at the bottom of the post to share on twitter and facebook.
2.) Give what you can. It really doesn’t take much. The Positive Change Project is committed to sustainable giving and to leveraging micro-donations. Your penny-a-day combined with your neighbor’s penny-a-day, and so on will have a huge impact in the lives of these children. Find out what we’ve already been doing with your generous support (we have planted gardens, provided beanies, delivered a water tank, made multiple food drops. Or, make a donation now, as little as a penny a day ($3.65 a year).
3.) Give Food. The first step to helping any AIDS orphan in a meaningful way is by providing basic needs. Food is obviously extremely important. Once bellies are full, the development of these children can move beyond just trying to find out where the next meal will come from. Do you want to sponsor a food drop? Contact Joey for details.
4.) Give Water. Water is a precious resource, and expensive for anyone in South Africa. Often times the safety houses we work with either can’t afford their water bill or the city shuts it off for rationing. With the water tank we have provided they can capture rain water and always have a source for gardening and other needs. We need to provide 2 more tanks, do you want to help sponsor the next water tank? Contact Joey for details.
5.) Give Shelter. The final of the three steps The Positive Change Project is committed to. Often, AIDS orphans have no where to turn once a parent or both parents die of AIDS. Finding a safe and secure place to simply exist is a huge problem for AIDS orphans. But once these children do find their way to a safe house, like the ones we are supporting in Sada, they can truly begin to thrive. If you are interested for more information on shelter needs we are happy to be an knowledge resource, contact Joey for details.
6.) Give Education. Once their basic needs are provided, these children can begin to look forward and think about their futures. Education is a huge part of that. For South Africa, an educated generation of young people truly will be the only way to eradicate AIDS from the country. We are providing food to make sure these kids are well fed and can focus while at school, but we also highly encourage people to give to education efforts as well.
7.) Give Sustainably. Again, we are committed to providing these basic needs at a sustainable level. Give what you can on a recurring level. We have put in, and continue to put in blood, sweat and tears for these kids but at the end of the day you can’t buy apples with any of that. Give on a recurring basis so that we can continue to keep our commitments and grow our reach of positive impact. Take a look at our different donation levels, there is literally a way for any person to make a difference.
8.) Engender a Community. Once AIDS orphans have basic needs, education, and a sustainable source from where to receive these things, the next step is to create a community in South Africa that supports their young people as their future. This can mean anything from creating community gardens, opening new safe houses, and getting the current population involved and committed to providing support through time and energy dedicated to this cause.
9.) Sponsor the children. If you are able to give more, look into sponsoring the children by becoming responsible for their monthly need. To move us to the next phase of our food program we have budgeted $100 dollars per child, can you help by becoming on of the 40 @ 30?
10.) Go to Africa. The last and biggest step is to volunteer your time. Go to Africa and see this problem first hand. Arron and Lauren of The Positive Change Project uprooted their lives and moved to Africa nearly a year ago. Joey and I will be going in April to see first hand the positive change everyone has helped create, and more importantly to think up more creative and effective ways to tackle this problem.
It is easy to think that donating $3.65 a year won’t make a difference, but it truly does! Positive change has to start somewhere. Let it start with you. Donate now.
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Posted By: Jill on March 28, 2011