Anti-retrovirals could halt Aids spread in five years

BBC News reports that anti-retroviral treatments (ARVs) and universal testing could stop the spread of Aids in South Africa within five years, according to Dr. Brian Williams, a leading figure in the field of HIV research based at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (Sacema) in Stellenbosch.

"We've been using drugs to save lives, but not stop the infection," Williams told BBC. "It's time to look beyond that." He says that if clinical trials started now, all of the HIV positive people in South Africa could be on ARV treatment within five years.

Click here to read the article on BBC.

Our Kids Still Need Us, and We Still Need You

All of our hearts are breaking for Haiti, and rightfully so. But please don't forget our own children who equally need all the help they can get, just to survive, every single day. Please keep your hearts open and continue to help children with AIDS to receive life-saving medicine and emergency supplies.

American Foundation for Children with AIDS has been blessed by the generous donations, large and small, by so many of you over the years. We, especially the kids, are so grateful and hope that you will continue to give what you can to help us keep these children alive and healthy. Without you, we couldn't do what we do.



You can make a donation online to give toward getting medical supplies where they're most needed. Or, if you have other items you wish to donate, you can bring them to us. We always need:

• wheelchairs - pediatric and adult
• blankets and sheets
• toys for the kids are always appreciated

A full list of medical supplies and other things we need is available on our website.

On behalf of the kids, THANK YOU!

Namibia Travels - Co-sponsored by CheapoAir and CrissCross Safaris

As parents of two young daughters, our involvement with the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) began with an interest in supporting a cause focused on helping children impacted by the global AIDS pandemic. We joined Team Maisha and participated in the worldwide “Climb Up so Kids Can Grow” annual fundraising event. For Team Maisha, this event included an amazing hike along the Greenwater River followed by a most enjoyable gathering of friends for a BBQ.

Of course, a few weeks later we were stunned when we heard that we had won the Grand Prize of the Namibian safari donated through Criss Cross Safari and CheapOair. We had no expectations of what was ahead of us, but even as we began to set the plans for our trip we were treated wonderfully. Through the efforts of Tanya Weaver of AFCA and the graciousness and tolerance of CheapOair and Criss Cross Safari, our logistics were set quite easily and we left in April for our adventure!

After a loooong 15 and ½ hour flight from DC with connections through Johannesburg (including a welcomed upgrade on the last leg!), two bleary eyed travelers were met by the wonderful Thinus Blaaew, owner and operator of Criss Cross Safari. We were shortly thereafter introduced to the Namibian custom of morning tea (yes, latte’s can be substituted) which hit the spot and got us off to a running start.
Three days and three game reserves later, our list of animals spotted included rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and numerous varieties of antelope.

Thinus from CrissCross was able to add immense color and educate us on the history of Namibia, while we were exploring the treasures of his country. Our travels took us through places such as Etosha Park where we added lions, elephants, jackals and hyenas to our list. By now we were beginning to appreciate the vastness of Namibia, along with the challenges of travel in an area with limited infrastructure - all of which was countered by the incredible accommodations we experienced at each lodge. Each night was a different setting with a unique blend of culture (even though we were warned of potential baboon intrusions into our room at one of the lodges, it was still a bit for us to process!) and cuisine, and each were wonderful. Somewhere in this part of the trip we also discovered Pinotage wines of Africa that made our nightly discussions even richer.

The next phase of the trip took us to the mountains and coastal regions of Namibia, highlighted by the evening at Grootberg lodge at the top of a mountain with stunning views of the surrounding valley and a spectacular sunset. We also got a healthy respect for four wheel drive vehicles on our way up to the lodge. This part also exposed us to some of the cultures of the people of Namibia by visiting a Himba tribal village, and then through Damar land, which is close to where Thinus had grown up.

It was then on to the coast for quad riding in the dunes, hiking on the dunes, canyon views and more incredible sunsets. Then all of a sudden, we looked up and 10 days were gone! All we had left was a drive back to Windhoek which brought us challenges of the Namibian road infrastructure – and two flat tires at the same time.

Looking back at the trip now, two things leap out at us. First, we cannot say enough great things about Thinus and what he brought to the trip with his experiences and knowledge of Namibia and its people. His personal stories of his family who homesteaded a region of Namibia, his experiences as an educator, politician, and working with the vast variety of Namibian people – all incorporated into the different locales that we visited, brought a unique and exciting perspective to us. We will always remember the lunch cooked over an open fire in a dry river bed while searching for elephants!

The second takeaway is the amazing diversity we experienced. The diversity of animals, topography, cultures, and people that make up Namibia is tremendous. Diversity like this does indeed make you stop, look, and think about the world we live in and what is happening outside our individual lives. It was fascinating to learn how similar we all are in this world – and to consider our differences and explore the reasons for both aspects. This was a real life experience that can only be appreciated first hand.

For the opportunity of a lifetime and an experience that we will never forget, we wish to thank Criss Cross Safaris, CheapOair, American Foundation for Children with AIDS, and Team Maisha.

Chris and Mike Hughes

American Foundation for Children with AIDS Increases Aid in Response to Kenyan Crisis

Harrisburg, PA (February 12, 2008) – The American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA), a not-for-profit foundation providing medical supplies and aid to children in countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, is increasing its efforts in Kenya in response to the growing need resulting from the current unrest.

AFCA is sending additional supplies to children and adults, including those who are currently staying in camps for displaced people. It is estimated that over 300,000 children and adults have been displaced as a result of their homes being burned. They are forced to sleep in churches, parks and on the streets. Children with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk because they may not have access to their medication.

“We receive daily reports from our partners in Kenya and are deeply concerned about the increased risk facing the children with HIV/AIDS whom we serve,” said AFCA Executive Director Tanya Weaver. AFCA is working with the Archdiocese of Mombasa Community Based Heath Care and AIDS Relief Program, which serves over 500,000 people in seven parishes of Mombasa.

A contribution of $30 provides a full month’s worth of life-saving medication to an HIV positive child. With $5,000, AFCA can provide a 40-foot container of much-needed food, hygiene kits, milk, and other supplies to partner hospitals.

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to AFCA and sent to 6221 Blue Grass Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, or online at http://www.helpchildrenwithaids.org/donate.htm/.

About American Foundation for Children with AIDS
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is an independent international humanitarian aid organization established in 2004. AFCA is a 501(c)(3) not–for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Florida, USA. It has been certified Best in America by the Independent Charities of America. AFCA’s mission is to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We provide cost-effective relief, services, medical and social support, education and advocacy to help these individuals achieve their full life potential.

AFCA believes that true success is achieved through collaboration with qualified local professionals. To this end, we partner with the following agencies to deliver quality, donated anti retroviral medications and supplies to HIV positive children and their caretakers: Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda; Archdiocese of Mombasa in Mombasa, Kenya; Voi Children’s Health Program in Voi, Kenya; ZOE in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and St. Mary’s Mission Hospital in Nairobi and Elementita, Kenya. For more information please visit www.helpchildrenwithaids.org.
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From the AIDS-Ridden Slums of Kenya, a Child's Smile Brightens a Cameraman's Life

For the past six weeks, Colin Crowley (Founder and Owner of Newbeat Productions and a volunteer with AFCA) has been living on the coast of East Africa in Mombasa, Kenya.

"I have been shadowing two nurses who spend three to four hours every day walking on foot through some of the poorest slums in Mombasa to visit HIV positive patients," says Crowley.

Most patients live in one-room houses with walls made of sticks and mud, roofs made of corrugated tin, and no running water. They have no means of transportation other than their own two feet. They live day to day with no money to pay for doctors or medicines. The AFCA provides these children with life-saving medication, known as ARVs.

"Every time I meet one of the children who are alive today because of AFCA’s work, I wish everybody who has ever donated to AFCA could be there with me to see in person the life that their donation has helped saved. It is really an overpowering moment to meet, and talk, and play with a young child who is living, playing, going to school, and thriving because of the generosity of people living in another country thousands of miles away."

One of these children is two year old Abraham Ramadani, who contracted the HIV virus from his mother through childbirth. Abraham is taking ARVs provided by AFCA. He and his mother live together in a small mud-walled house in the Bangalaa Slum just outside of Mombasa.

"Every time I have seen Abraham," Crowley says, "he has been smiling, friendly, and happy to see me, even when he was suffering from a case of Malaria."


"His eyes looked heavy, he wore a pained look on his face, and I could tell he wasn’t his normal self. After I reached down to shake his hand and greet him with the Swahili greeting for children, “Mambo!” I felt the top of his forehead and it was scorching with fever."

"I took out my camera asking his mother if it was all right to take a picture of him like this and she said it was fine. When I put the camera before him, Abraham instinctively let out a laugh and made a big smile for the lens. Then he stopped and the ache of the Malaria showed on his face again. Still, he gave it another effort and, with no prompting from his mother or me, pushed out another big smile before the ache and fever caught up with him."

"“Here I am,” I thought, “standing before a two year old kid living in some of the worst conditions imaginable, HIV positive and suffering from a bout of malaria and he’s giving it his all to smile for the camera when I take a picture of him.” Moments like this just take me aback and catch me off guard. They make me forget myself and wonder how we can do more for this kids."

"A week later I ran into Abraham again and his malaria was gone, he was running around laughing as he played with one of the neighbor kids. I caught his attention by calling out his name and he ran over and stopped for about five seconds to smile and say hi – just enough time to let me snap a picture before he ran off to play again."

A child's smile can brighten a life. Abraham, and children like him, will likely brighten many more.

To learn how you can help children with AIDS and HIV in Africa, visit the AFCA website.

Frames for a Future to support Children with AIDS

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS call for artists to decorate picture frames for auction on World AIDS Day December 1, 2007 has gotten an overwhelming response. We're completely out of frames!

Artists from around the country have decorated frames for AFCA. Please be sure to check us out on eBay from December 1-7, 2007 (details forthcoming) to bid on the frames. All proceeds will go to help the kids we serve.

25 Million Orphaned Children with AIDS in Africa Anticipated by 2010

There are already over 12 million orphaned children with AIDS in Africa (having lost their mothers or both parents) accounting for over 80% of the total world wide. By 2010, the number of AIDS orphans is anticipated to reach 25 million, according to Save the Children "Children in a World of AIDS" 2004.

These are shocking statistics, but each child is more than a number.

Each of these orphaned children with AIDS has a name, a face, a unique story. Each child has hopes, dreams, fears.

While our young children are brainstorming what they want to be when they grow up, these AIDS orphans are simply hoping they'll have the chance to grow up.

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS currently partners with four hospitals in East Africa to provide much needed anti-retroviral and chemotherapy medications, as well as medicine to treat opportunistic diseases for children aged birth-19 who are HIV+ or who have AIDS.

We also provide medication for the parents or guardians of these children, as we do not want to create more orphans by ignoring their need for medication and medical care.

Learn how to make a donation or other ways you can help.

Welcome to the American Foundation for Children with AIDS blog

Welcome to the official blog of the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Our mission is to help improve the lives of children with HIV/AIDS by providing cost-effective relief and services, medical and social support, as well as education and advocacy to help children living with aids in Africa to achieve their full life potential. You can visit our website (http://helpchildrenwithaids.org) to learn more about the work we do and how we meet our mission.