- Why are there so many AIDS orphans in Africa?
- Do all the children in the projects have HIV?
- Do you require volunteers to work in Africa with the projects?
- Do you require volunteers based in the UK?
- Can I sponsor an individual child?
- How can I give tax efficiently?
- Do you have any resources to help with our fundraising?
- How can I be updated on your work on a regular basis?
- How can I apply for funding for a project in Africa?
- Is HOPEHIV a Christian charity?
Why are there so many AIDS orphans in Africa?
AIDS has spread very quickly in Africa, and because of poverty, those who are infected die much more quickly. There are many reasons for this:
- Widespread ignorance, stigma and denial about HIV/AIDS. Many HIV positive people do not know their status as they have never been tested, increasing the risk they will unknowingly pass it on to others.
- Traditional cultural customs and beliefs such as wife sharing and early marriage.
- Unequal gender relations whereby women feel powerless to say no to male advances or to insist on using some form of protection.
- Sexual violence often as a result of civil war.
- Extreme poverty which forces many women into highly dangerous commercial sex work.
- Poor nutrition and overwork, usually because of extreme poverty, meaning death from AIDS comes earlier.
- Poor hygiene and general ignorance around health issues.
- High levels of male migration in search of work, bringing them into contact with multiple sexual partners.
- Many infected people are unable to afford treatment and care and even if they could, often they don’t remember to take the drugs they have been given on a regular basis.
- Church teaching emphasising abstinence and faithfulness often fails to also promote condom use.
Do all the children in the projects have HIV?
No. The children linked to the projects we support have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Sadly, some of these children are themselves HIV positive through transmission from their mothers. Others contract HIV in adolescence. However only around 12% of all children orphaned because of AIDS are themselves positive. That is why our name HOPEHIV is not an oxymoron – most AIDS orphans have every possibility of living a long and fruitful life – their challenge is that they don’t have parents to support them. We are exist to provide the supports that parents would otherwise be there to give - offering them genuine hope for the future.
Do you require volunteers to work in Africa with the projects?
In general we are unable to offer overseas placements for volunteers. This is for a number of reasons:
- We do not actually deliver services in Africa ourselves - rather we provide funding to partner agencies on the ground. Therefore any use of international volunteers would be a matter for those partner organisations to decide themselves.
- We believe that equipping and caring for orphans is a long-term process, and our partner agencies hire specialists to work with these children for a number of years.
- Through using local volunteers and hiring local people to work on the projects we can provide income in areas of high unemployment and continuity of relationship with the children.
Furthermore, if the placement period is relatively short, it is likely to take the volunteer quite some time to come to terms with the local culture, language and the project itself. Unless they are very experienced in African settings and have specialist skills, their contribution is likely to be quite limited for the first few weeks. It may even be harmful if they develop emotional ties with the children and then leave after a short period. We receive numerous requests to set up African volunteer placements and simply do not have the administrative capacity to meet this demand.
On the other hand, we do recognise that for many people, exposure to our projects can be quite life transforming and may shape their future directions in quite amazing ways. Many could become lifelong supporters of both HOPEHIV and other charitable causes, involving their families, friends, churches and work colleagues in these causes as well. For those reasons, in some circumstances, we are willing to facilitate introductions to African partners and allow negotiations to be arranged directly with them.
Do you require volunteers based in the UK?
The HOPEHIV office is in Raynes Park, south west London, and on occasions we do need assistance with various clerical tasks. However this is fairly irregular in nature. We are also open to the possibility of more regular assistance with specialist tasks though would need very firm commitments if these were to be allocated to a volunteer.
We are also somtimes able to offer work experience placements for school pupils and sixth form and university students.
More generally, we always need help in publicising our work. At present we have volunteers who live in different areas of the country to help us in distributing our literature amongst family, friends, and work colleagues.
Of course, one of the main ways you can volunteer your time is by organising local fundraising events which will help raise awareness of the AIDS orphans, as well as providing them with much needed support.
If you are able to help please do contact the HOPEHIV office.
Can I sponsor an individual child?
HOPEHIV does not arrange for sponsorship of individual children. We prefer to support projects which work with larger groups of children in their communities. Whilst we appreciate many donors like to have a personal connection with an individual child, most of our projects cannot so easily isolate one child for assistance. There is also a very high administrative burden in such an approach and we are unable to meet that at this time.
For those who prefer to offer their support in this way, there are some excellent child sponsorship programmes offered by charities like Action Aid and World Vision.
How can I give tax efficiently?
If you are a UK taxpayer we can claim a further 28p from Inland Revenue on every pound you donate to HOPEHIV. When giving us your donation please indicate in writing that you would like this donation to be 'gift aided'. Alternatively you can use a gift aid form which can be requested from the HopeHIV office.
Do you have any resources to help with our fundraising?
HOPEHIV are able to provide you a range of literature, posters and a video that tell you about the projects we are supporting in Africa. These also give some fundraising ideas, as well as details on how donations can be made. A poster has also been designed to help you in your fundraising efforts.
If you would like any of the above resources please contact the office or email admin@hopehiv.org
How can I be updated on your work on a regular basis?
Our quarterly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with our most recent project developments. If you would like to join our mailing list please contact the office or fill out the form on the Contact Us page.
If you would like to know more about the projects we currently fund, please visit the projects section.
How can I apply for funding for a project in Africa?
You can read more here. Please not that HOPEHIV is not able to provide sponsorship for individuals raising money to enable them to undertake volunteer placements in Africa or elsewhere.
Is HOPEHIV a Christian charity?
HOPEHIV was founded by Phil and Wendy Wall, responding to the needs of orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa out of deep Christian love and compassion. Many of the people who have supported the Charity, be that as staff members, trustees, patrons or donors have also responded out of Christian love and compassion. Many of the partner organisations funded by HOPEHIV operate from a Christian value base.
However the reason HOPEHIV exists is to assist children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS and we believe people from all faiths and perspectives can participate in that process. Indeed we actively encourage that. That means that we have an equal opportunity employment policy, we will partner with any African organisation that can deliver high quality services for orphans regardless of their faith position, and will offer assistance to any needy child, refusing to discriminate on the basis of faith, ethnicity or gender.