Positive Solutions: Namibia 2010: PAY PAL!

Mount Sinai

A program started by Katutura State Hospital Nurse Christa Biart-Vega, who works in the ARV (antiretroviral) pediatric clinic, Mount Sinai provides HIV counseling, health education, well baby checks, formula, water and sippy cups for 105 babies and their HIV+ mothers. If the child is tested HIV- after 6 weeks of being breastfed, the hospital or clinic refers them to Christa. At this point it is important to discontinue breastfeeding: replacing breast milk with formula means that the baby will remain HIV-. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds Christa has to limit the number of mothers and babies in her program because it is a commitment to feed each child for six months. Christa did receive land in Katutura for the clinic, but lacks the funds to begin building. Not only will this building be used to continue the program that Christa has started, she also envisions it as a safe place for moms and their children, as well as a hospice for children with AIDS to peacefully die in instead of out on the streets. Your donations will go towards formula, sippy cups, water and overall costs. More money means more women can enroll in the program and with your help Nurse Christa will finally be able to have a building to go along with her amazing, life saving program!

Family Hope Sanctuary

FHS is a community based program run by Abigail Maposa located in the extremely poor settlements of Hakahana. FHS’s program helps in two ways: first, to empower women, most of whom are HIV+, TB, single mothers who are raising orphans; and second, through its school readiness program. This program reaches children who are not in the school system and provides them with an education and a safe place to stay. More importantly, the heart of FHS is its kitchen: it feeds hundreds of children each day, which for most is the only meal they will get that day. Lacking the most basic necessities of life, all of these kids are grateful for such a meal, and are in dire need of a formal education before it is too late. Your donations will go towards education, food, clothes, shoes, water and other necessities. Amazingly, $20 sends a child to school for a whole year (books and uniforms included)!

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

PAY PAL!

Ok!! After a long holiday, the pay pal is up and running and ready for some donations!

PayPal is a Secure way for you to donate money with a credit card and your donations go directly into an account that Annie and I opened specifically for this endeavor. Today I got my first donation from a family friend- I feel like I should frame the check and put it up on the wall!

I thought I would share this picture of my family that I stayed with while in the northern part of Namibia in the Oshakati, Ondangwa region. They have a nice farm where they grow mahangu- a pearl millet and also the main staple in Namibia. They also have lots of fruit trees- marula, limes, guava and not to mention many chickens running around, which they most graciously slaughtered for a great meal the last night I was with them. I'd have to say it was the best tasting chicken meat I have ever had! They were so welcoming and generous with what little they had. I don't think I have ever met so many happy people in my life, even though, we as americans, would see them as poor individuals. The Namibians, especially after independence in 1990 from South Africa, see a future filled with hope and though they may lack many of the necessities that we take for granted, I don't think I have seen more smiley faces in my life!

More stories and pictures to come before, during and after our adventures. Feel free to ask ANY questions, big or small. I am more than happy to tell you about Namibia, the history, its people and about my time there as well as about what our trip is about. I hope everyone had a warm and relaxing holiday!

Peace and Love,

Mary