Annual Report 2009 - Starfish Greathearts Foundation

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Starfish Greathearts Foundation
Introduction from our Patron
The epicentre of the AIDS crisis remains in sub-
Saharan Africa. Two-thirds of all people living with
HIV are African and three-quarters of all global
deaths in 2007 were on the African continent. The
HIV pandemic continues to have an enormous
impact on households, communities, businesses,
public services and national economies in the
region.
South Africa is home to more HIV-positive people
than any other country. In 2008, there were at
least 1.4 million South African children orphaned
because of HIV/AIDS. Of these children, 150,000
continue to live in child headed households and
represent one of the most vulnerable groups in
world society today.
As shocking and sad as the statistics are, there
is hope. It begins with small efforts. One person
at a time. One child at a time. We can make a
difference. And it begins with viewing these
numbers not as statistics, but as individuals.
Today, promise, potential and opportunity exist
in South Africa. The hope for the future is based
on current experiences in many countries on the
African continent. We have to bring hope and
opportunity to the children affected by these tragic
circumstances. The combination of poverty, stigma,
isolation and the sheer numbers of children being
orphaned by AIDS demands that we upscale our
efforts.
Starfish is a vehicle for delivering this change,
enabling children to rebuild their lives utilising
the passion and skills of people from their own
communities. Supporting communities to build
their response and provide their own sustainable
support is fundamental. Just as important though,
is your support which helps us deliver the life
changing assistance so desperately needed.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
Patron