WHAT's OUR STORY

HOPEHIV’s roots go back to 1997, when Phil Wall met a little girl called Zodwa, whose mother was a sex worker dying of AIDS. Phil and his wife Wendy tried to adopt Zodwa but were prevented. Undeterred, they decided to raise money to help. Today, HOPEHIV is helping some 50,000 vulnerable children and young people through some 40 partner organisations in 400 communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

HOPEHIV’s work generates real hope through:

Emotional and social support

Education

Economic empowerment

Child rights

Our UK office is building a network to support community-based projects in the countries in sub-Saharan Africa highlighted above. Those projects are selected and monitored by our team in South Africa and Tanzania.

The charity landscape is blurred with organisations helping African orphans. We are defined by:

Productive partnerships

Investment

Enterprise and innovation

Being positive and passionate about potential

We see hope in Derek.

Derek, 21, is the eldest of four brothers. Their father died many years ago. Derek moved to Nairobi in the hope of making enough money to support his family. He ended up on the streets and ended up sniffing glue, stealing and fighting with kids from other gangs until he and his friends met HOPEHIV partner Undugu. Undugu helped Derek’s gang transform into a self-help association with training in leadership, rights and responsibilities, and health and hygiene. Having impressed Undugu with his participation over several years, Derek was offered the chance to take a hair cutting course. He says, ‘My friends were laughing at me when I chose this course but I knew I would make money out if it.’ Now working as a hairdresser, Derek is able to pay school fees for his brothers and support his mother. ‘This is what I wanted when I came to town. Thanks to all who have changed my life.’ Although Derek is still sleeping on the streets, he hopes to set up his own salon and is helping Undugu by referring new arrivals on the streets to them and offering advice based on his own experiences.

Find out more about Undugu.

Names and some photos have been changed to protect confidentiality.