| THE
ORPHANS OF AIDS TRUST
 The
Orphans of AIDS Trust was established to provide
for the hundreds of thousands of children expected
to be orphaned by AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal in the
next few years. Set up as a joint venture by the
newspaper media, government and the private sector,
its mission is to gather funds urgently needed
to provide resources and support to the growing
numbers of children being orphaned by AIDS.
The Trust's patrons are Deputy President of South
Africa, Dr Jacob Zuma, and His Majesty, King Goodwill
Zwelithini. The Trust distributes funds to organisations
and agencies providing relief and support to orphans
of AIDS as speedily as possible. It is estimated
that there are already about 150 000 children
who have lost their parents to AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal.
The figure could grow to 500 000 by the end of
the decade if current infection rates are not
curbed.
The trustees are: Dr Zweli Mkhize, KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Minister of Health; Mr Vivian Reddy,
Chairman of Edison Corporation; Mr Graeme King,
former Managing Director of Independent Newspapers
KZN; Mr Per Bjorvig, Consul of the Royal Danish
Consulate (representing the European Union Consular
Corps); Prof Jerry Coovadia - Victor Daitz Professor
of HIV/AIDS Research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,
and Mr Thomas Naidoo, KZN Provincial Director
at Standard Bank.
The first eight awards were presented in December
2002. Grants are awarded to organisations that
provide a service to orphans and/or their caregivers,
that are registered with the Department of Social
Development and that have sufficient capacity
to administer the grant.
The funds are intended to help enhance or upgrade
activities, structures or skills of the organisations.
The Trust also provides to its beneficiaries
a free employee assistance programme run by the
Independent Counselling and Advisory Service (ICAS),
whose counsellors provide support for caregivers
in dealing with money management and other personal
problems.
The Trust's Advisory Committee assists the Trustees
with the assessment of application forms, and
the final decisions on funding proposals are made
by the Trustees based on recommendations by the
Committee. The Committee is made up of members
working in the field of children's rights, the
care of orphans and HIV-positive children, including
representatives of organisations such as the AIDS
Foundation, Childline, Durban Children's Society,
Children First, and the Children's Rights Centre.
A leading accounting firm conducts forensic auditing
and integrity checks of the systems and staff
of organisations being funded by the Trust. Background
checks are also done on office-bearers and bank
signatories of applicants. To ensure the transparency
and credibility of the Trust itself, integrity
checks are also performed on the Trustees, members
of the Advisory Committee as well as the field
officers.
To apply for funding or for any other enquiries,
contact:
Ms Soraya Khan
Orphans of AIDS Trust
c/oIndependent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd
P O Box 47549, Greyville, Durban 4023
Tel: (031) 308 2160 Fax: (031) 308 2361
Email: soraya@nn.independent.co.za
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