Doing It Differently This Year!

YOU CAN SPONSOR A YOUNG PERSON FROM A CHILDREN’S HOME OR PLACE OF SAFETY TO ATTEND AN ADVENTURE DAY FOR ONLY R300!!

A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO THE GENEROUS FRIENDS WHO TOGETHER (SO FAR – 9.12.09) HAVE MANAGED TO SPONSOR 33 YOUNG PEOPLE!!

AND NOW (11.12.09) IN TOTAL, 60 PLACES HAVE BEEN SPONSORED!!!!!! HOW WONDERFUL – THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

(11.12.09 – 11am) Can you believe that we have just heard that another 24 places have been sponsored by a corporate – TULLOW OIL. Thank You! That brings the TOTAL TO 84!!!

Click here to see the list of sponsors so far…

A Message of Awareness on World AIDS Day from Educo Africa’s Sisonke Project

A few things that come to my mind today is the shocking statistics that South Africa is still holding the highest infection rate in the whole world. It gets me wondering, with all the work that people are doing in the HIV field, what is it that we are missing?

What we’re doing right is:

INFORMATION SHARING

Information about infection and treatment is widely available in multiple languages.

ADVOCATING FOR ARV’S FOR ALL

People are fighting really hard to get the right medication to the right patients.

NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION

Organizations are educating people about the benefits of good nutrition.

GOVERNMENT BUY-IN TO SOCIAL WELFARE OF THOSE INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY AIDS

Certain social benefits are made available in the form of grants.

So, on a larger scale, what are we missing? I think that the psycho-social impact still needs a lot more work to be done.

Educo Africa, working in this particular arena, finds that discrimination, stigma, disclosure, and infected people believing that their life ends with the HIV+ test result, is still huge. Discrimination towards HIV+ people increases the stigmatization, and almost forces people not to disclose their status due to their fear of being alienated or attacked. This undermines their feelings of self-worth and confidence.

Educo Africa strives to break these chains that hold people prisoner to these beliefs. Together with the education, nutrition, and treatment, we can make a real difference. Working together, we can have a more holistic impact on the life of people who knows their status, whether negative or positive.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE WORKING TOWARDS BUILDING AN AIDS-FREE WORLD!

Siphelele (Sphesh)

Sisonke Project

Give The Gift of Transformation This Christmas Season

Duncan’s Plea

A Personal Thank You to Educo Africa’s Supporters from a Staff Member

With no disrespect to the incredible work being done by other organizations, I believe it is much harder to sell the idea of the plight of the human spirit compared to the noticeable shortages in other areas of life. The human spirit isn’t tangible. The disfigurement of the soul is not as easily visible as a physical disability, yet it may be more debilitating.

Where other needs are more easily identifiable, I believe that the general public shows greater support in aiding/assisting financially because the results of their giving is clearly visible and immediate. For example, houses are built, blankets are bought, food is supplied, new equipment is acquired, etc. And yes, these are all needed and most appreciated, and I certainly encourage the continued support of these campaigns.

But, I wonder, how do I show you somebody who needs to “find” themself? How do I show you somebody who needs guidance, direction, or self confidence? How do I show you somebody who needs to work through emotional trauma? Most of all, how do I show you the results of Educo Africa’s work?! I want you to see what can be done! The healing, empowerment and training that is possible for these people, who so desperately need it, is right here.

The results of supporting Educo Africa may not be directly visible and tangible, but I believe that the triumph of the human spirit touched by Educo can most definitely BE FELT! It may be conveyed by a broad smile, a song in the heart, a newfound courage, a positive attitude, and making a true connection – one human being to another.

You can be certain of one thing, for sure, supporting Educo Africa and its work, you’ve become part of a positive change in our youth and future leaders. The investment return you’ve made on a Human Spirit is invaluable!

Okay, this was my little two cents worth.. I just felt the need to share it because I believe in the two cent’s value. 

Chez

KUDOS TO THE SUPPORTERS OF EDUCO AFRICA WHO HAVE ALREADY DISCOVERED THE JOY OF INVESTING IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT!

Fun With A Purpose

Hi All

I’m a huge fan of the Mother City Living blog. You can find out all sorts of interesting “green things” tucked away in its pages. Today’s post is about talks held in Newlands called Green Drinks.  It sounds like fun (with a purpose), you may want to check it out…  Click here for the Green Drinks page on the Josephine Mill website.

Chez