Giving Back

Wow, I just finished watching Idol Gives Back (thanks to the wonders of TiVo!) and I find it so amazing how they accurately represent the growing crisis of orphans from the AIDS virus. The stories that they showed touched my heart and just gave a small glimpse of the reality that many people around the world face. I think one star said it best when she stated that she wished every American could come to Africa to see the truth about how grateful we should all be!

It is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. More than 12 million of these children live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

You see, since writing the previous posts about feeding "families," I realized that most people here in America might be picturing a mom, a dad, and 2.5 children. But the truth is that most of these families consist of a few options:
1) Poor widowed grandmas who have no means of supporting themselves, surrounded by knee-high children..their grandchildren, all that remains of their sons and daughters that have died of AIDS.
2) Families of siblings of whom both parents have died. The eldest sibling might be responsible for taking care of three or four other children. Sometimes the oldest child might be 15, 12, or even 10--with the weight of the world on their shoulders or
3) The families might consist of moms and dads who care for their own children as well as those of family members, neighbors, or friends who have also died. As we speak, my friend Peter in Zimbabwe is currently caring for 13 children; his own children and his brother's children. And yet, there is not even enough food to feed a small family.

Just $10 will feed one "family" (made up of mostly orphans and widows) for one month

To fill the need, please contact me at julie@hiscreations.com

Let's make a difference,
Julie