Great Food, Great Project

We had dinner with friends Monica and Paul last night. And, while I knew Indian food was on the menu, I was not quite prepared for the feast of the senses that awaited us at their comfy kitchen island. Aromatic, tasty, and exotic are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind. Yes, all that and BREAD. Of the homemade variety. Then there was apple pie. Couple this extreme yumminess with wine and good conversation and we were lulled into such a stupor of satiation that we almost forgot to leave. Eventually we did though, they put a loaf of homemade sourdough in our hands and pointed us toward the house which is, luckily, within shouting (and easy walking) distance of theirs.

I'm not sure how to repay such extravagant hospitality, certainly nothing coming out of my kitchen would compare. But one thing is for sure, I know Monica and Paul would like you to be aware of this:

By the year 2010, there are expected to be over 20 million children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.

In Kenya, there are over 600,000 AIDS orphans today. There is no government social welfare system to support these children nor is there access to free public education, soup kitchens or health care. In Kenya, one out of every three adults is HIV positive. There is more myth than education available to the general public regarding the transmission of AIDS.

One out of three. Ponder the ramifications of that statistic for a minute. This translates to an estimated 4.2 million orphans who will have lost their parents to AIDS by 2010 if current HIV infection rates do not decrease drastically. This means that every third child in Kenya will be an orphan.

Children who lose a parent to AIDS suffer the grief and confusion experienced by any orphan. However, their loss is often worsened by prejudice and social exclusion, including the loss of education, health care, even of the property they are entitled to inherit. The resulting poverty and isolation can create a vicious circle, placing them at greater risk of contracting HIV themselves.

In response to the growing crisis, with the help of Paul and Monica, Project AIDS Orphan, a non-profit coporation was formed to help address the needs of children impacted by the epidemic. The strategy of PAO is a simple one: to maintain children in the communities and villages in which they live rather than in an institutional setting. This is more cost efficient and less traumatic for a child already devastated by the loss of a parent.

Your tax deductible donation can make a huge difference to a child in need. Your check, made out to Project AIDS Orphan can be sent here. With your help, education needs are addressed as the PAO provides school fees, books and uniforms. Food, clothing, and shelter are provided with financial assistance to surviving family members. Because these children can stay within their family, or at the least clan or tribe, the project helps to maintain a consistent sense of nurturing and spiritual well being for the child. The PAO site now also features a blog, so you stay up to date on the progress of the important work your funding can help support.

I am mailing my check today. Maybe you will too?