The Facts
• At the end of 2006, there were 2.3 million children living with HIV around the world.
• Over half a million children became newly infected with HIV in 2006.
• Of the 2.9 million people who died of AIDS during 2006, over one in ten was children.
• Every hour, forty children die as a result of AIDS.
• International law defines a child as being a person aged below 18 years, but the statistics above (taken from UNAIDS) define children as people under the age of 15.
• 9 out of 10 children living with HIV live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• All too often, they are left to die in appalling conditions without food or shelter and with only newspapers to serve as a cover.
The Vision
The vision is to replicate what St. Nicholas Children’s Hospice has achieved in South Africa. Sunflower House, one of St. Nicholas' first projects, provides a haven for children who require pain and symptom management, and whose guardians need a period of respite or who have died or fallen ill.
Based on the grounds of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein, the Sunflower House is a small and cozy structure, with a playground and well-tended garden, and paintings of bright sunflowers decorating the front. In fact, the house is easy to mistake for a regular daycare center, except for one room that makes its special function clear.
Furnished with a cot, a child's bed, and a rocking chair, this simple room provides a warm and caring place where a family can gather to sit with a dying child. While some children do recover, Sunflower House sees an average of seven deaths per month. After each death, the child's life is commemorated by printing his or her name in the face of one of the sunflowers. Sadly, sunflowers now cover the front wall of the house.
The Mission
Msunduzi Hospice Association is in need of a hospice house.
As one person we can not change the entire situation. As a community, we can change the entire situation for one person.
A monetary contribution makes a difference where a month’s supply of medication costs $9. Sunflower house was purchased for $20,000.
Partnering up with Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa that provides access to funds for Msunduzi Hospice Association.
Contact Marie Wrinn to inquire on making a tax deductible donation and to discover more about the Vision.
Marie Wrinn
riant@cox.net
I am requesting assistance in these areas:
Monetary contributions
Contacts within churches, businesses, and organizations
Someone to design a flyer or brochure
A company that can donate paper and ink to print up brochures
Media contacts
Fund raising ideas...ways to utilize current ideas and add the cause. For instance, I am asking that my HOA community will donate the proceeds from our yearly Fall Community Yard Sale.
All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
Msunduzi Hospice Association
www.hospicekzn.com.za/work.htm
Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa
www.fhssa.org
The Sunflower House
http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.or...s_stn-2005.htm
I can't do this alone
Linear Mode
