I just joined a cooperative group to support a child living in Ethiopia with HIV. For $42 (that's $42 one time, not $42 a month) you too can join our group and ensure that a child in Ethiopia has access to nutritious food, the medicine he/she needs to stay healthy, and an education. While we didn't visit the AHOPE orphanages during either of our two trips to Ethiopia (we did walk by the gate of one of them on several occasions on our way to get lunch), I can tell you firsthand that the work AHOPE does is so important for kids living in Ethiopia with HIV.
According to the AHOPE website, "There are over 14 million children under age 16 worldwide orphaned by AIDS, the majority of whom are in the underdeveloped nations of the world. There are an estimated 1 million orphans in Ethiopia. Many of these orphans are themselves infected with HIV."
Why sponsor a child at AHOPE? While the number of children in AHOPE's orphanages fluctuates, they operate at or near capacity at all times. AHOPE does more than just care for HIV+ orphans though. Through its Child Development Center it also supports 105 HIV+ children that are still living with their families. This sort of support keeps families together. Kids stay out of orphanages altogether. Twenty-five additional children are provided full education sponsorships. There is still quite a stigma associated with HIV in Ethiopia, so AHOPE started "stigma" programs that foster friendships between HIV+ children and their HIV- peers. Finally, and this is the big one for me, AHOPE has developed a Youth Development Program to help orphaned HIV+ children that "age out" of the orphanage system transition to healthy and productive lives in Ethiopia. Adoption WILL NOT alleviate the hard realities that have resulted in 1 million orphans in Ethiopia. Many orphaned children will need the skills necessary to become happy productive members of their communities. Programs like the Youth Development Program can begin to make this happen and stand as an example for others to follow.
As Ashagre and Elsa would say, "Come on!" Join our team. $42 is one of the least expensive sponsorship fees I have ever come across and you can rest assured the money is going to a great organization that actually gets things done on the ground. Plus, you'll get updates on the adorable child you've sponsored throughout the year.
Interested? Let me know and I'll put you in contact with the right people.
Oh, my heart keeps breaking wide open. Of course we will join your team. Please let us know the details. xo
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I am going to talk to my husband about it when we get home.
ReplyDeleteWe were actually talking about the possibility of adopting again. If we did we would adopt an HIV pos. child.
I love AHOPE and their tank top I have is so comfortable- I wear it so much I am embarrassed to post most of my pictures on my blog because I'm wearing the same shirt!
Thank you for being a voice in the work to support HIV infected and affected children. AHOPE for Children is a visionary program - keeping families intact whenever possible and taking on the REAL and immediate challenge of helping children who have spent most of their lives in the orphanage build the skills to "age out" and be successful and capable adults. I am so glad you are on OUR TEAM.
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