Stephanie Helps!

My name is Stephanie Das-Maas and I was born and raised in South Africa. Nowadays I live in Netherlands, but South Africa still means a lot to me. I understand the difficulties in 'my country' as well as the problems with AIDS. I know what this disease does in South Africa and the affect it has on the children. Luckily I have a peaceful and care free life. That is precisely why I think that the time is ripe to do something back for South Africa. Besides the financial resources which I hope to raise, I also want to give the children a bit of my love and attention. This is why I will be travelling to South Africa September 21st. For 10 weeks I will be doing voluntary work in an orphanage called Tshepo Ya Bana.

Through my website (www.stephaniehelpt.nl)I want keep everyone informed of my experiences in South Africa. In addition, I am asking everyone for financial support for the orphanage.

Did you know:

- every 15 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS

- every minute a child dies from the effects of AIDS

- every day 6000 young people become infected with the HIV / AIDS virus

- less than 5% of HIV-infected children receive medication

- young children are raped because the myth exists that you can cure AIDS by having sex with a young virgin

South Africa is currently one of the largest AIDS-regions in the world. The number of infected people is taking on epidemic proportions. Statistics show that 1 in 5 people are infected with HIV. The country currently has 1.5 million AIDS orphans. If the line of 400,000 AIDS deaths per year continues, then by 2015 there will be more than 5 million.

I cannot just ignore this problem. I personally want to contribute to help against this huge problem.

September 21st I will be traveling to South-Africa to work as a volunteer in an orphanage.

Those children could use some support. Not only in the form of personal attention, but also in the form of financial assistance. I hope you want to help me with this!

The orphanage Tshepo Ya Bana

The English couple Mark and Chris Harding emigrated in the early 70's from England to South Africa.

After taking care for a couple of adoptive and foster children for a few years, they started their own orphanage in 2003, Tshepo Ya Bana (translated: Hope for Children). The orphanage is situated in Hammanskraal.

The children who come to Tshepo Ya Bana fall into two main categories. Firstly there are the unwanted and abandoned children from the local hospital. Secondly, there are the babies whose mothers died from HIV / AIDS and who have no one to care for them. For many of these children they try to find good adoptive parents from South Africa or abroad. Children who can not be adopted, for example because they are infected with HIV are included in Mark and Chris' family.

To continue this good work, Mark and Chris need money. Some of this money is used to offer the children good therapy, such as speech therapy, exercise therapy and psychological help. Many of the children are traumatized by what they have experienced in their short lifes.

They also have the painting of the house and renewal of the pavement outside to be done. For this, money is also needed.

In addition to their own orphans Mark and Chris also provide support to Mama Catherine's orphanage and after school care, who is situated in a township nearby Hammanskraal. After school time Mama Catherine offers shelter to at least 150 children. She also feeds them, at least, when she has food to offer. She also consistently needs money. Not only for daily necessities like food and electricity, but also for creating better conditions for the children.

Anyone who knows me well enough will know how much I love cooking. Precisely that is why I find it very important that Mama Catherine has the opportunity to feed 'her children' well. A new and better kitchen is much needed. In addition, the tent where the children are received desperately needs to be replaced. ith your help I hope to make make a financial contribution to all of this.

The stories

Here are some shocking stories about the children of Tshepo Ya Bana. The names of the children have been changed, but the stories are real. Hopefully you will then realize even more how hard your help is needed.

Thandi

Thandi was found shortly after her birth on a rubbish belt. She was put in a plastic bag and left to die. Nowadays she happily lives with her adoptive parents.

Mpho

Mpho was brought to Tshepo ya Bana when he was three months old. His mother was dying of AIDS, and had no strength to care for her sick child. The baby was the weight of a newborn, his mouth was totally white with a Candida infection and he was unable to drink. A well meaning relative had been giving him just tea to drink, so he was severely malnourished, and dehydrated. He made some progress, but unfortunately died two months later.

Zandile

Zandile was found in the arms of her dead mother. She was removed with difficulty, as her mother's body was already stiff, and when the police eventually traced her family, she went to live with an aunt. At two years nine months she weighed only 8 kg and was so weak from the effects of HIV and malnutrition that she couldn't walk. As her aunt was unable to care for her she was placed at Tshepo ya Bana and was fortunately able to get on to antiretroviral treatment. The improvement was dramatic and the little girl is now able to live a normal life.

Donations

All your donations are more than welcome!

For international money transfers

Bankaccountnumber: 423946072

Accountholder: Stephanie Das - Maas - Stephanie helpt

ABN Amro - Doetinchem, The Netherlands

IBAN nummer: NL20ABNA0423946072

BIC: ABNANL2A