My first blog to AFC Family!!!!

Hi all, hope all is well. I have been trying to access the blog from Addis for a while and I finally got in!!!
Patrica and I have been talking about how to do this, I think I am going to update you the general activities of the home and such in this blog and give you an individual update on each child via mail, via Patrica, if it all work out. The reason for that is that I really want you to know about your child, I want you to get a sense of your child and some of this may be too personal and I rather not have other people know.

All is well at the home. the kids are looking great with their new outfits! thanks again! The children and the team are exited beyond belief that Patrica, Mark, Lucy and Jane are coming in February!!

We had a very busy weekend this past weekend. Saturday was the soccer game with other orphanage and it was championship (for six months). AFC got a trophy for commitment. We were told that AFC children, the team, staff and volunteers are committed and that we are always there with our cameras and cheering for the children. We were told that AFC children are committed and are amazing!!! I want to let you know that our kids look so healthy, are well behaved and seemed joyful that the kids always get so much positive feedback and complement from the organizers, other orphanage staff and other kids from other orphanage. I know I am a bit bias , but it is true!
Sunday, we watched a parade all day. The parade is related to Orthodox Christan and the tabernacle, but it is also a cultural thing where all the different tribes usually are out singling and dancing. It is a three day event, the kids attended the last day, we did the same thing last year. The kids had a great time!

The kids have finals for the 1st semester next Wednesday and they are studying really hard. We have not have volunteers to help the kids for the last few weeks because the volunteers (High School students from international schools) themselves are taking national and international exams. The kids all helping each other and we also have a tutor for few of the kids who need one on one. We told the kids last night that we will do a "surprise" outing after the exam, probably Queen Burger, similar to Burger King in the states. We are hoping that we will do that the weekend when Patrica and Co. get here.
So have a great day and I will post pictures and such as I figure out how to do it.
Love,
Zahara

Meet the Children and their Sponsors!

Guy...Rose Polidoro
Getahune...Jane and Lucy Gatanis
Tigest...Lisa Brown
Semira...Irving Karpas
Makdes...Geri Pell
Eden...Madeline and Fernando
Ashi...Ann Carlsen
Shemelis...Lisa Gregorian
Samerawit...JB and Amy Perrette
Kidest...Emily Dalton
Tsige...Rachel Glickman
Betselot...Randi Shatz
Fasil...Saul Pressner and Irving Karpas
Fresew...Candi Dalipe
Meseret...Elizabeth Sherman

The Artists for Charity Children’s Home is designated for the purpose of caring for orphaned children living with HIV/AIDS who have passed the age limit to be accepted elsewhere. With proper attention, medical treatment, and organized care, these children have the chance of becoming productive, happy members of society. However, they require additional help in order to realize their full potential. Without the necessary care and nurturing, an HIV positive child might not even survive 5 years.

All of AFC’s sixteen children are living with HIV/AIDS. The home is a family-like environment where children grow up together, as they would in a 'typical' household. All of the children attend school and receive medical attention, including anti-retroviral treatments. Artists for Charity was founded by a group of young artists who believed they could help children through their art. Not only did they raise the money to create the group home, but now art is an integral part of the childrens' daily lives. Art, music, dance and theater all help to provide the skills and emotional strength needed to stay strong and productive.

The children are activists, raising awareness as they appear in radio shows and TV interviews. They are also writing a book called “Floating Dreams” about their lives and HIV in Ethiopia. One of the children also gave a speech at UNICEF’s 60th Anniversary, held in Addis Ababa.

These children are heroes!