Message from Dr. Anne-Marie

Dear Friends of Tšepong,

After all the work and excitement of getting to our goal of raising $1 million for the projects that we support in sub-Saharan Africa, (thanks to you!), we have taken some time to regroup and consider our next steps. Based on the success of the bracelets that hang on your wrists and the urgent and ongoing needs in Lesotho, Masai for Africa became the Bracelet of Hope Campaign to provide ongoing support to the people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.

When the doors of OHAfrica’s Tšepong clinic opened in 2004, only 116 patients were registered. Today, over 10,000 HIV/AIDS patients are registered and receive support, and more than 100 people come through the doors every day to find comfort, counselling and treatment. More than ever, Tšepong is a place of hope—and you’re a part of it.

From the bottom of my heart and from the hearts of the mothers, fathers, grandmothers, caregivers, staff and children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS – THANK YOU. Your gift to the Bracelet of Hope Campaign is making an important difference!

In Lesotho, the clinic is expanding its efforts to more remote communities through health care centres that take care, counselling and treatment out to people who are too far away from the clinic itself to get ongoing help and support, which is so critical to living well with HIV. Here in Canada, the Bracelet of Hope campaign is gathering speed in other communities in Ontario and in schools and universities across the country.

I’m excited to be heading back to the clinic for a month this August, but I’m also very concerned. I know the economic downturn is hitting us all very hard. I see it every day in my practice here in Guelph. I also know that the clinic needs funding from Canadians to keep operating. You’ve been incredibly generous and supportive of this important work in the past. Could I ask you to make a donation today to the Bracelet of Hope Campaign that will help make sure that excellent HIV/AIDS care is available to the people of Lesotho.

In hope and with thanks,

Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik