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: [email protected]

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