“Project Hope” refers to HOPE for AIDS-orphans of Africa. The name, “Project Hope,
is an expression of the vision behind a greatly needed work: of bringing new hope into
the seemingly hopeless situations of children and families of South Africa that are
affected by AIDS / HIV. The aim of the project is to help these people through God’s
love and care, both practically and spiritually.
South Africa’s Medical Research Council published a report in 2001 outlining the
effect of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) on the country. The report estimated
that between 5 and 7 million people could die from the disease by 2010, and that currently
it is responsible for 40 per cent of adult deaths. South Africa has one of the highest
numbers of AIDS and HIV sufferers in the world—officially estimated at 4.7 million.
However, Project Hope is not just about statistics. It has to do with real people of
flesh and blood. For me personally it has first and foremost to do with the children.
They are the ones who are often left behind without parents, and without much hope for
the future.
During the two years we have been in South Africa, it has been my aim to find the
very best way in which I can make a difference for a least some of the many orphans.
I have visited and investigated how conditions are in a number of orphanages; I have
visited the one home after another, where the old grandmother is the only survivor of
the adults, and she has to take care of all the little ones, sometimes 12 to 15 children.
John and I have an ongoing contact with one of these “granny-families” in order to
encourage and help them as well as we can. During the last year I have been involved in
a project that has as its main purpose to help a number of the mentioned grannies, so
that their burden of caring for the children may be lessened.
Through the project with these grandmothers I have found that the best kind of help
for the AIDS-affected families, is that which is given to them right where they are,
in the midst of their own communities. It is especially helpful for them if they are
supported in helping themselves, through small projects like sewing and garden projects.
I have a dream, which I already carried within me long before we arrived in South
Africa. It is a dream of creating a home for some of the AIDS-orphans; a home which
could be situated in the same community as their relatives and friend live; a home with
capable house-parents, who could take care of the children and show them God’s love.
The home should ideally become a good example, so that all the experiences harvested could
be of benefit in other places, as an inspiration for the creation of other such homes.
All this is for the sake of the children.
Tove Thomsen
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