Keep a Child Alive

Balles De L’Espoir for KCA (Tennis Tournament of Hope)

Alex Robein, from France came to Louise at KCA over one year ago to propose Balles De L’Espoir - a community tennis tournament to raise money for Keep a Child Alive. After discussing the possibilities for the event, Alex went to his Regional Tennis League and asked them if they would agree to follow him in this adventure! And just like that - they thought it was a great idea and let the planning begin!

This tournament took place like other Tennis tournaments in France. Anyone who wanted to join was allwoed to participate and play. In all tournaments, players have to pay a buy-in to participate (15 euros for adults and 12 euros for under 18s).

Putting posters up at the Tennis League, advertising and just talking to friends and family - Alex had 291 people play in the tournament!! Alex himself said “I didn’t expect such a success!” The press wrote some articles in the regional newspaper and EVERYBODY said “It’s such a great idea! Why didn’t anybody do that before?” Alex even received letters at home giving him Congrats! Alex is so proud (as he should be!) with the event for Keep a Child Alive.

From the Tennis Tournament, he raised 4102 Euros (or $5400!!!)

Alex wrote to use and said he “would dream to come one day in NY and go to the KCA office - You are an amazing association!!!!! And I’m sure that the money we’ve raised here in France is in good hands and you will make amazing things with this! keep on rockin!!!!”

 
Thank you SO MUCH ALEX from all of us at KCA and from all of the children and families we serve in Africa and India, thank you for giving life.

Celebrating with a Purpose for Keep a Child Alive

Challenger & Truss Productions was honored to present a KCA Community Fundraiser: Celebrating with A Purpose on July 3rd, in Birmingham, AL. Guests enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and community networking all evening. “We chose Keep a Child Alive for our 1st annual fundraising event because we wanted to bring much needed attention to this global epidemic”, says Nadia Challenger. The fundraising event was hosted by Nadia Challenger and Carla Truss. The Birmingham community was excited to be apart of this event and many companies were instrumental in the success of the fundraiser. Challenger & Truss Productions would like to especially thank those who made this event worthwhile. Products were donated by MillerCoors, hors d’oevres were served by Steel and photos were courtesy of Providence Images. Tight Cuts Barbershop, Dr. Celeste Reese and Dr. Noelle Gates were all instrumental with reaching out to the community to help spread awareness of KCA and the event. “We were more than honored to be apart of KCA’s initiative to create awareness of this global epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa/India. We feel that through our channeling efforts, we have made those who were unaware, aware of the growing need
to help those in need globally and how they too can assist with making a difference”, says Carla Truss. We look forward to doing it again on a larger scale.

Thank YOU Challenger & Truss Productions and congratulations on raising $1000 on your first community fundraiser!

Bird & Bird’s Good Deeds for Keep a Child Alive

Earlier this year, one of our devoted community supporters Louise McAulay in London, nominated Keep a Child Alive as the charity for 2010 that the law firm she works at would support. Bird & Bird agreed and since then, there has been no stopping the staff at Bird & Bird to fundraise for Keep a Child Alive!

Starting in February with a launch event, as an opportunity to introduce the charity to the staff and begin some fundraising - the firm raised £840 from tickets to the evening and donation bowls! Bird & Bird have been so creative with their fundraisers but they also do what we love at KCA - incorporate charity into their everyday lives and the passions that they have! Bird & Bird have sponsored runners for the 2010 Brighton Marathon, a sky diving event and charity sweepstakes during the World Cup!

The biggest fundraiser they have hosted so far was in May 2010 when they put a band together from the firm for Law Rocks: a battle of the bands between law firms in London. Their band: Birds of Prey. They held a warm-up rehearsal for the big show and charged staff to come and vote on the songs they would play in the Law Rocks show. From donations at the rehearsal they raised £3350 and then they went on to win Law Rocks so the prize fund of £3000 was donated to Keep a Child Alive!

On August 13th-15th, the firm has arranged for 25 participants to cycle from London to Paris. Their goal is to raise £10,000 and they still need some help so click here to help them reach their goal: http://www.justgiving.com/twobirdslondontoparis

These are incredible ways for a company to incorporate charity into what they already may do - or a fun way to get the staff together outside of office hours! Bird & Bird also have a payroll giving - Give As You Earn - program set up for Keep a Child Alive where staff can choose a certain amount to come out of their pay checks each month as donations. You don’t even have to think about it - it’s done automatically!

Way to go Bird & Bird - this year you’ve already raised close to £17,000 for Keep a Child Alive - we appreciate it more than you know for all of your support and everything you do for the children and families we support in Africa and India. It is so inspirational how your staff come together for these families. Thank you from all of us!

Little Dresses for Africa

Yvonne, living in Wisconsin for the past 32 years is recently retired and now an active member of Little Dresses for Africa. Shortly after retirement, her sister Barbara had told her about a TV Program that highlighted an organization whose mission was to help make dresses for young girls in Africa. Looking for her niche in retirement, her sister thought she might be interested in this organization and the rest is history! She contacted the Founder of Little Dresses for Africa, Rachel and since the first day they spoke, Yvonne has been on a mission making dresses and encouraging other women and their churches to be apart of the great cause and labor of love.

Little Dresses for Africa is a christian non-profit organization that creates little dresses and boys shorts & shirts out of pillowcases and distributes them to children of Africa. As they like to say, ”We’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending hope.” They send them with travelers, mission teams and take them over on a trip once a year!
 
One day Yvonne’s mother Opal, who is a fan of Alicia Keys heard on the news that Alicia was journeying back to Africa and thought that maybe her organization (KCA) could take some of the little dresses with her. After visiting our website, Yvonne found our phone number and after “praying first” she called and spoke with Cheryl. As she says, “Cheryl’s heart was open to receive my call and request.” 
 
Yvonne says that ”Making the little dresses and encouraging others to participate has given me meaning and purpose in life. I now understand what it means……. that we were saved to serve. I hope to be known as a servant of the Lord who cares.”

Little Dresses for Africa were so delighted when Yvonne contacted Keep a Child Alive to see if some dresses could come with us on our next trip to Africa. Keep a Child Alive has now taken dresses, shirts & shorts over on our last 3 visits to Africa.

From Yvonne’s latest update - she said we can expect our next shipment of 200 dresses & panties in September!
 
Thank you Little Dresses for Africa - look at these smiles of little girls in their new dresses!

bobi Sample Sale for KCA!

CELEBRITIES UNITE TO SHOP FOR A CAUSE —- bobi Clothing, the leading women’s basics brand, teamed up with Keep a Child Alive to bring out Hollywood’s most charitable fashionistas to shop for a good cause. Co-Hosts Ali Landry, Christine Woods (“Flash Forward;” “Perfect Couples”), Vanessa Lengies (TNT’s “Hawthorne”), Sophie Monk and bobi designer, Kara Lusardi were joined by friends including Tia Carrere, Catt Sadler (E! “Daily 10”), Brandon Barash (“General Hospital”),  Lisa Locicero (“General Hospital”), Chrishell Stause (“All My Children”), Devin Kelly (FOX’s ”Ride-Along”),  Natalie Hall (“All My Children”), Audrey Kitching, Danny Roberts, Henry Duarte, and others.  All bobi samples retailed for $20 and 100% proceeds from this event was donated to Keep a Child Alive. Guest enjoyed complimentary cocktails courtesy of Vision Vodka, Corona, KARMA California Brut, and refreshments by Smart Water and Honest Tea. The first 100 attendees enjoyed bobi giveaways upon arrival.  A $1 Raffle Prize was offered with proceeds going to KCA. Music by DJ Josh Madden and a special set by Claudine De Sola —Download the exclusive bobi mix here: http://www.mediafire.com/?nntjmjdo30y

Smith Street Brooklyn - KCA Fundraising Booth!

Two of our amazing KCA Community Fundraisers Laura and Wade will be at the Smith Street Bastille Day Festival this Sunday, July 18th 2010 from Noon til 10pm. There will be music, outdoor games and lots of vendor booths! Laura and Wade will be selling Sangria and ”Chip on a Stick” (a special curly french fry made from a machine they bought in Cape Town - they are the only owners of this machine in the US!!)

So if you’re in Brooklyn this weekend - head on over to the Bastille Day Festival on Smith Street and support Keep a Child Alive!

Bonham’s Africa Now Auction Benefits Keep a Child Alive

Renowned auction house Bonhams, has chosen to support Keep a Child Alive through Bonham’s ‘Africa Now’ Art Auction on March 10, 2010 at 2PM at Bonhams NY: 580 Madison Avenue.

This auction is very special as it will be the first commercial auction of African contemporary art ever to be held in the US, and features work by both new and established African artists.

Giles Peppiatt, Director of African Art at Bonhams says, “We are greatly honoured that ‘Keep a Child Alive’ has agreed to partner at this event. Their credentials as a leading ambassador for African issues made them a natural choice to introduce this stunning collection of the best of contemporary African Art.”

Among the beautiful pieces of art in the auction is a Malick Sidibe, from Mali, piece whose sale will benefit Keep a Child Alive’s work.

For any inquiries email: africanow@bonhams.com

Thank you to Bonhams & The Jack Shainman Gallery.

Her name is Zelda - Community Event in NYC!

Will you be in NYC next Wednesday, February 24th and want to attend a benefit for Keep a Child Alive?

Check out this event: Her Name is Zelda…an evening celebrating Ms. Zelda Kaplan.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
07:00PM
609 West 29th Street
New York, NY 10001

Tickets HERE:
Gen Art Members: $40 / ticket
Non-Members: $50 / ticket

Gen Art invites members and supporters to celebrate the life of living legend Zelda Kaplan.

7:00pm-11:00pm

7-8:00pm Red Carpet Arrivals
7-10:00pm Sponsored Bar
9:00pm Toast to Zelda
10-11:00pm: Cash Bar

Gen Art & Cocody Productions invites you to celebrate the life of living legend, global womens’ and childrens’ rights activist & New York nightlife Queen, Zelda Kaplan, benefitting her charity of choice, Keep A Child Alive.

Event Co-Chairs Jake Bright, Keri Ingvarsson, Mia Morgan

Event Committee: Lydia Hearst, Cynthia Karalla, Tim Ferris, Ian Gerard, Kaitlyn Vignola, Noah G. Pop, Daniel Stark, Olusola Ajayi,Tunde Agboke, Femi Agboola, Ger Duane, Cathy Ntabadde, Ken Oriwa & Roger Webster

Complimentary beverages will be provided by Amnesia NYC (Including: Absolut, Bacardi Rum, Corona, Amstel, domestic/imported wines, sparkling wine).

Live African band Maxindenkalu; recording artist Army of Me; and DJAKE
Amazing works by several visual artists and famous photographers will be available at auction.

Contributing photographers include Patrick McMullan, Gideon Lewin, Gomillion & Leopold, Noah G. Pop, Timothy White, Andres Serrano, Joyce Tenneson, Victoria Will, Bill Heuberger,
Caroline Knopf, Emma Cleary and Ellen von Unwerth.

Special Thanks Amnesia NYC, Cocody Productions, Gen Art, MAC, Mushana, New York
Magazine, New York Social Diary, Stark Design, Tokion, Time Out NY and
Zink Magazine.

Your Family Portrait Can Keep Another Family Alive

Celebrated family photographer Anna Campanelli will hold her third annual fundraiser for Keep a Child Alive at NYC’s Industria Studios on November 14th and 15th, 2009.

Book a 30-minute portrait session with Anna for $100, and receive one free 12x16 print. Proceeds from each photo session and every additional print purchased will benefit Keep a Child Alive. We just love this photo of our President Leigh Blake and her son India from Anna’s fundraiser last year!

For more information, contact Anna at (917) 361-9859 or anna@annacampanelli.com.

In His Own Words: Selwyn’s Story

Selwyn is a patient at Keep a Child Alive’s Blue Roof Wellness Centre in Durban, South Africa. The clinic has empowered so many patients to share their skills at the clinic, and spread the word in the community about the HIV/AIDS services available. We are proud to share Selwyn’s story with you today, in his own words.

How can you be negative when your blood is positive?

My name is Selwyn. I am 47 years old and currently residing in Durban, South Africa. I am employed as a pipe fitter working on maintenance at the Engen Refinery in Wentworth, Durban.

I had been living in the Gauteng Province for about three years when I undertook to visit my parents, who I had not seen in about two years. My parents lived in Durban. On arriving in Durban my parents were happy to see me but was startled at my condition. On awakening the following morning, my mom let me know in no uncertain terms that she had made an appointment for me at her doctor for a full medical with great interest on me taking an HIV test. I had been dreading this because of things that had happening to my body like loss of weight, darkening of complexion, hair starting to thin, inflamed gums, teeth loosing, dry skin, loss of energy and very very sleepy.

On the 9th November 2007, I very reluctantly went for the test and was told to be back on the 10th for my lab results. On the 10th I made every kind of excuse to avoid going for my results. On the 11th I was awoken by Mom and told that I needed to retrieve my results so that we could plan the way forward. On arriving at the GP surgery I was put through the procedure of counseling that was the longest ten minutes of my life. My parents raised me by encouraging me to be positive. I was not prepared for the negative of being positive. How could a positive result leave one feeling so negative?

I went back home where all were waiting for me, informed them of my results and we all cried. I don’t know why I cried because I had been living dangerously in my past…. been there, done that, got the tee shirt and now the virus. My past had come back to HAUNT me. Never say never! …. Crying help, prayer helps. Both crying and praying opened up our eyes to reality and to our next action plan. Note that it is not my plan but our plan. You cannot make it alone, you will die.

It was then decided that my cousin Delarise had to be contacted and told that we were coming in to see her due to my condition. Delarise has extensive knowledge and experience in counseling people that are either infected or families that are affected by a loved one’s status. I came out of there encouraged. I returned to Johannesburg where I had my CD4 count was done. I at that time did not fully understand the importance of the CD4 count. My CD4 count returned as 28. I now know of people that have died with a count much higher than mine. The clinic did not advise me of ARV’s. I didn’t know that I was a dead man walking. I contacted Delarise and informed her of my CD4 count.

I was broke, unemployed, weak and HIV positive. I looked at all of these negatives and took the decision that the only positive was not one that I wanted. I removed my gun from my safe, wrote my letter, put one bullet in the chamber and put the gun to my head. My daughter Sade’s face flashed through my mind and she was saying “Daddy Don’t”. She does not live with me but I saw her clearly on that day, and I cried like a baby. I sobbed, I wailed, I bawled, I prayed and I slept.

My cell phone awoke me the next morning indicating that there was a message from my mom. The message read “come home immediately, drop everything”. I checked the time 4:30am and I prayed. I did not know that Delarise had informed my parents that if I did not return immediately I would return in a box. I went around to all my friends and informed them that I was going back home to die. We cried … crying helps, prayer helps.

On my arrival in Durban, Delarise advised me on which hospital I should attend. The hospital HIV/AIDS unit was overflowing by the time I was seen to it was now afternoon. I was informed that I should return the following week. I contacted Delarise to inform her. She then informed me of the Blue Roof Clinic. I told her that I was tired and would go there the next day but she informed me in a firm but gentle manner that I should go there immediately. I proceeded very reluctantly to go there as I thought it was long queues again.

I arrived at the Blue Roof Clinic and was attended to immediately, and was informed that I should be tested for Tuberculosis the following day, even though I did not have a cough, was counseled on medication, and was TB free. I started on ARV’s on the 10th December 2007, and have experienced absolutely no side effects.

I had relatives and good friends who could not recognize me because of my condition. I had to identify myself to them and they would look at me dumbstruck. My CD4 count is now 245 and my viral load is 25 meaning undetectable. One of the first questions that people ask you on finding out about your status is. “Where did you get it from?” My answer to that is that one should not focus on that, but focus on recovery. If your vehicle had a puncture, are you going to waste your time trying to find out why, or are you going to repair the puncture?

I believe that once you have discovered your status you develop a seventh sense. You can read body language from a mile away. A month after starting treatment I started working again. After 2 weeks on the job I decided to inform my boss as to my status and also to inform him that I was going to inform all the guys in our morning safety meeting. He was at first shocked, but I made him understand it was all about safety. He agreed and said that it was my choice. He also said that if ever I needed anything that I should pick up the phone and call him. I have on two occasions phoned him not for help, but he left me with the feeling that he would be going for an HIV test because of speaking to me on the phone. Must be my seventh sense.

People tell me that I am brave for disclosing my status. I tell them that the brave are dead. They took the secret to the grave. They left behind little children who cannot fend for themselves and families that are telling people that “OH he died of cancer or sugar diabetes or a heart attack”. Even tuberculosis is dodgy these days. That brave person could be alive today. I am alive and so can you. Our South African press has been very quick to praise some of our leaders who have admitted after their children have died, that it was because of the HIV virus. They are the ones that are allowing the stigma to ferment, and the ignorance to continue.

I would like to give all praise and thanks to God for his daily grace upon my life and his keeping power. Thanks to my parents, children. siblings, family, work mates and strangers who approach me in the street. To Beryl, my wife, who is part of my life and accepted me as I am even though she is negative. I can’t say if I would have done that for you, I salute your courage. To all the wonderful staff at the Blue Roof Clinic who treat with dignity, your unobliging spirit has not gone unnoticed. Our country is being ravaged by this HIV/AIDS pandemic and the main cause of this is ignorance and stigma. I am hoping the new leadership of our country takes heed of this clarion call from a nation that is being decimated.

You can help keep more people like Selwyn alive. Give $5 Text “ALIVE” to 90999.

A one-time $5 donation is charged to your wireless bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Donations collected by the MGF. 4 info call 866-810-1203 or goto hMGF.org/t. Standard rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to cancel ; HELP to 90999 for help.