Build a Home for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Dear Global Givers, First of all, sorry for the long silence. I have just come back from a long trip to South Africa, during which I was able to spend time at Our Place-Coffee Bay. I had not been there since 2008, and I could hardly believe how much things have changed: buildings that were barely standing and had no roof are now fully functional and are providing a home for about twenty people living with HIV. As soon as I have figured out how to do this, I will post the pictures I have just taken and put them next to the ones that I took in 2008 so that you can see with your own eyes what a big difference your donations are making. In the meantime, I will try describe what the place looks like. The main building, which is made of concrete and bricks, consists of a kitchen, where we cook meals for our residents, but also for several people from the area who come to Our Place during the day. Some of these are the children who attend our kindergarten; some of them are adults who work in the community garden that we started; others are people of any age who need something to eat. There are also two bedrooms in the main house, each of which has seven beds. In addition to the main building, there are two “rondavels,” or round huts made of mud with a straw roof. One of these functions as an additional bedroom and contains seven more beds, while the other is our kindergarten. The kindergarten hut is painted with colorful graffiti. Inside, there are small plastic chairs and tables, a desk, educational posters and toys. We are in the process of building an extension to the hut with a sink so that children and teachers can wash their hands more easily. Part of the communal garden is now protected by a “vegetable tunnel,” or a simple greenhouse structure that has increased the productivity of our land. This is extremely important not only because the harvest lowers our operating costs, but also because it is the main means of sustenance for many people who live in the area. Our most urgent project is the creation of another kindergarten a couple of miles away from our property. This is because there are many children in need there who cannot walk this distance everyday. The tribal authorities have already offered us a piece of land and a hut. We need you support to renovate this hut and buy the necessary equipment. We are also going to start a communal vegetable garden and a kitchen to feed the children and the many people of the area who are not able to eat every day. Thank you once again, from all of us, for all your support. Andrea Parmegiani