In February 2001 The African Aids Foundation in Australia(AAF) was founded in Australia by a group of concerned people living in the South Western Sydney, Australia town of Camden.
Headed by Doctor John Schwarz, a former missionary in KwaZuluNatal, the AAF, through its board of directors, seeks to actively inform the people of the World about the Aids crisis in Africa. It does this through all avenues that are open including speaking at schools, churches, community gatherings, service clubs and through newsletters and the electronic medium.
The AAF has, since its inception, raised funds for various Aids projects in South Africa and Kenya, all of which are remitted to those who need the funds without any withholding for administration or other costs. Every dollar that is donated reaches the hands of the intended recipients.
The volunteer group sub committee of the board of AAF has assisted many people of different ages to visit the Aids projects it supports in Africa and all of those who have gone there report that they have been rewarded with a new perspective on the meaning of life.
I visited the supported projects in November, 2003 and participated in food drops, attended home care visits in the rural communities, toured hospitals and hospices and spent time talking to the volunteers.
The spirit of the people was moving, in the face of this staggering tragedy, they could still sing, smile, play and display their gratitude with grace.
I found that at times that I could not contain my own emotions when I heard the stories and saw the plight of a proud people who have been brought to their knees by what they call "the plague".
When I looked into the eyes of those who were in pain and near death I felt that the spirit of God was looking back at me and, at that point, we were one ... spiritually connected.
As with the volunteers, I found that my own life and attitudes have been changed.
Those of us in the Western societies have a responsibility as citizens of the World to our fellow man. How can we stand by and let such a tragedy occur without doing something about it.
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