There will be over 3 million orphans of HIV/AIDS in the new South Africa. Millions of children without parents, without a family home, with no one special to care for them, their wellbeing, their development and growth. 3 – 6 ,000,000 orphans who face the prospect of hardship, of loneliness with no hope or aspiration for the future. The developing orphan crisis in South Africa is now critical and demands an urgent response. South Africa is already the crime capital of the world, the rape capital of the world, the second most murderous society on earth – and now is known as the AIDS capital of the world. The Executive Director of one of the world’ largest charities said – ‘Almost without exception, children orphaned by AIDS are marginalised, stigmatized, malnourished, uneducated and psychologically damaged.’ These children are the adults of tomorrow. South Africa cannot afford to have 3 million destitute orphans. AIDS expert and author Neville Curle believes that if nothing is done, countries in Southern Africa will have to resort to dictatorships and military rule in order to control the people and curb and control crime levels. In the case of South Africa, one of its own prominent politicians has said that South Africa is on the verge of irreversible decline. After having suffered and recovered from so much, South Africa is once again a tragedy in the making unless some action is taken now – and quickly – to rescue these children, place them in loving homes and provide them with the support and care they need to grow and prosper. Project O has been established in response to this major challenge. Project O began operations in 2005 and is based in The Valley of a Thousand Hills, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. The aims and mission of Project O are:-
To provide assistance to children infected, or affected by HIV/AIDS by the provision of financial assistance, support, education, basic medical care, within the safety and security of self-sufficient children’s homes; and to bring up the children in a loving and supportive environment within the teachings of Christianity.
ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENTS TO DATE
* Registration as an South African Charity/ Non Governmental Organisation
* Acquired sufficient land to build several hundred children’s homesteads
* Land prepared and in readiness for foundations
* Architects plans prepared for homesteads awaiting construction
* Self sufficiency initiatives being developed, e.g. banana trees and other local crops; animal rearing and husbandry; arts and crafts production; water-slide amusement feature.
PROGRAMME OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
1. Building sustainable children’s homes
Build self-sufficient children’s homes for the most needy children infected and affected by AIDS. Homes to be managed by a House Mother with care of 6 children. Each single storey home to contain 3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge and in keeping with African tradition a thatched roof. All facilities, water, drainage, electricity to be included.
2. Recruitment and Training of Homestead Mothers
Two House Mothers to be provided for each homestead. Provision of free accommodation, food etc. with basic salary and training for each House Mother over a period of six months.
3. Sponsorship of orphans in homesteads
The provision of food, clothes including full new school uniform, 100% school fees, and basic medical care for each child.
4. Sponsorship of orphans in extended families
Some orphans are able to remain within the extended family which offers a limited measure of safety and encouragement, but these families often lack the financial means to support the child. Sponsorship of these orphans provides the same package of care (food provision and delivery/clothes/school tuition fees).
5. Promotion and Publicity of Project O
Substantial financial resources are required to enable Project O to build and sustain the homesteads and support the orphans. Considerable promotion and publicity of Project O is being undertaken and will continue to be carried out in order to raise awareness of the plight of the orphans, and raise funds for the project. The promotional activity being undertaken includes the mass production of Project O DVD; T shirts; sponsorship packages; leaflets; awareness raising events e.g. sky-diving.
6. Self-sufficiency initiatives
a. Purchase of sheep, cows and pigs for animal rearing, husbandry and food
b. Purchase of vegetable tents for propagation of high quality crops
c. Training and capacity building for arts and crafts, e.g. beadwork; weaving; pottery
d. Water slide amusement feature: 100m long water slide: built as an income generating facility with potential of raising £60 - £100 per day.
7. Establish formal office and recruitment and training of additional staff
Establish fully equipped office with computer equipment, photocopier, communications equipment etc, with recruitment of additional staff.
Project O is founded and directed by
Martin and Vashti Downs.
Martin and Vashti, both born in England, developed their commitment and passion for helping disadvantaged children through their experiences working in the ghettos of New York, and in their travels over five continents, where they saw at first hand the depravations being experienced by children, through no fault of their own.
South Africa is the AIDS and Orphan capital of the world. Martin's earlier experiences working with HIV/AIDS and orphans in South Africa has led them to The Thousand Hills in Kwa Zulu Natal. Their caring commitment has resulted in a newly adopted son Joseph Ukheta Downs - a Zulu orphan and also by adopting Jessie at 5 months old in 2007
The Project O Board is made up of 6 multi-national members all of whom reside in South Africa.
Additional administrative support is currently being provided by two UK based volunteers.
Much of the development work on Project O to date has been financed through personal funds. It is envisaged that the promotional work being undertaken will secure more substantial financial resources for the Project to be successful and sustainable.
________________________
Contact Details:
South Africa:
UK (Fund Administration)
P.O.Box 2082, Hillcrest 3650
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 31 7008996
Email:
52 Edale Road
Sheffield S11 7PJ
Tel: 0114 2687857
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Costs in £
Inclusive building costs of one Children’s Home - 3,900.00
* House Mother: Basic salary £200 per month x 12 months - 2,400.00
* Training of one House Mother for 6 months - 500.00
* Sponsorship of orphan in Homestead and/or Extended Families – £31.00 per month If you provide this level of sponsorship you will be sponsoring one child and will receive information about your orphan, and will be able to correspond with him or her…. OR ….
Part sponsorship at either £5 or £10 per month.
If you provide support at this level your contribution will go towards the care of orphans generally and the running of the programmes.
* Promotion and Publicity
o Mass production of Project O DVD @ £2.00 per DVD including mailing. Say 100 per month for 6 months
1,200.00
o Production of Project O T Shirts: @ £3.00 each x 500 - 1,500.00
o Production of sponsorship packages £2.00 per package per orphan. Estimate 1,000 by end 2006
2,000.00
o Awareness raising events e.g. skydiving with bannero Skydiving expertise
o Events and banners – per event - 6,000.00
100.00
* Self-sufficiency initiatives o Animal rearing/husbandry and food:
* 6 sheep @ £60.00 each - 360.00
* 3 Cows @ £1,800.00 per cow - 5,400.00
* 10 pigs @ £25.00 each - 250.00
o Agricultural produce * 2 vegetable tent including plants @ £900.00 each - 1,800.00
o Arts and Crafts * 5 person training event @ £100 per event x 3 - 300.00
* Purchase of relevant materials per event @ £20.00 each - 60.00
o Water Slide Amusement Feature * Equipping slide and safety measures - 2,500.00
* Establish Formal Office
o Computer equipment (desk top, laptop, printer/scanner etc.) - 2,500.00
o Communication equipment purchase : fax/phones - 600.00
o Photocopier purchase - 500.00
o Additional staffing : Costs per one member of staff per year - 3,000.00
INTRODUCTION
There will be over 3 million orphans of HIV/AIDS in the new South Africa. Millions of children without parents, without a family home, with no one special to care for them, their wellbeing, their development and growth. 3 – 6 ,000,000 orphans who face the prospect of hardship, of loneliness with no hope or aspiration for the future. The developing orphan crisis in South Africa is now critical and demands an urgent response. South Africa is already the crime capital of the world, the rape capital of the world, the second most murderous society on earth – and now is known as the AIDS capital of the world. The Executive Director of one of the world’ largest charities said – ‘Almost without exception, children orphaned by AIDS are marginalised, stigmatized, malnourished, uneducated and psychologically damaged.’ These children are the adults of tomorrow. South Africa cannot afford to have 3 million destitute orphans. AIDS expert and author Neville Curle believes that if nothing is done, countries in Southern Africa will have to resort to dictatorships and military rule in order to control the people and curb and control crime levels. In the case of South Africa, one of its own prominent politicians has said that South Africa is on the verge of irreversible decline. After having suffered and recovered from so much, South Africa is once again a tragedy in the making unless some action is taken now – and quickly – to rescue these children, place them in loving homes and provide them with the support and care they need to grow and prosper. Project O has been established in response to this major challenge. Project O began operations in 2005 and is based in The Valley of a Thousand Hills, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. The aims and mission of Project O are:-
Build self-sufficient children’s homes for the most needy children infected and affected by AIDS. Homes to be managed by a House Mother with care of 6 children. Each single storey home to contain 3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge and in keeping with African tradition a thatched roof. All facilities, water, drainage, electricity to be included. 
