Soul Of Africa continues to advance its mission of making a difference in the lives of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS in South Africa, whilst tackling unemployment through the sale of our shoes. Through the selling of Soul Of Africa shoes we have seen many lives change for the better.

In particular, Soul Of Africa has enjoyed great success in the past year. Shoe sales for Spring/Summer 2010 have increased from 10,620 pairs last season to 11,200 pairs (Clarks UK) and from 1.032 pairs to 5,113 pairs (Clarks factory). Clarks is to continue to make a difference in Soul Of Africa. With YOUR help we will continue to see improvements.

Myekeni Child Care Development Centre (Soul Of Africa’s latest CDCC) in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, SA is able to look after, teach and feed 40 children age 7, 37 children age 5 & 6 and 20 children age 2 – 5. These children, mostly from child headed households and affected by AIDS, are now being looked after and nurtured in a safe and loving environment.

Soul Of Africa has built a skills development centre to train and teach pupils and members of the community in Molweni KZN. The tribal leaders (Induna’s) from the community of Molweni have asked that their thanks be passed onto you. “Thanks to your help, Philangethemba, which means living through hope, will turn our dream of helping the youth of Molweni find employment, into a reality”.

The loss of family to HIV AIDS, poverty and abuse are just some of the reasons children end up on the streets. Growing up on the streets, the majority of these children are subjected to hunger, fighting prostitution and substance abuse. Substance abuse, mostly glue-sniffing, is common as it is cheap, puts hunger at bay and helps these children escape the nightmare of their world. Despite the prevalence of substance abuse, most of the older children have taken on the role of parents to the younger ones, although there is no biological connection. Soul Of Africa has been able to help Apollo Mweli aka StreetBoy, a man who has dedicated his life to the children of the street. Say’s 13 year-old Sipho, one of the 85 street children that Apollo looks after, “Before Baba Apollo rescued us life was frightening and dangerous, now I am happy because I am loved, go to school, play football and have a full tummy.” Thanks to Soul Of Africa, children like Sipho now have a home. Thanks to all who support Soul Of Africa, Apollo now has a kitchen to cook for the children as opposed to cooking on a fire outside his house. Thanks to you these children now have ablution facilities…… “I am so grateful to Clarks and Soul Of Africa, because without their help and the donations I received I would most certainly have failed at giving these children a new lease on life,” says Apollo.

A new stitching centre has been built for the Soul Of Africa stitchers. With unemployment rampant in South Africa, Soul Of Africa will now be able to create more long term employment.

These are just some of the inspiring projects that Soul Of Africa has been able to fund. With your help, Soul Of Africa has provided thousands of children just this past year with a place to live, learn and feel safe while creating self-sustainable employment for previously unemployed women in South Africa.

With Heartfelt Thanks
Lance Clark and All at Soul Of Africa

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