2010 - Starfish Greathearts Foundation

Board members
Patron
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
Board of Advisors
Peter Barnett
Gordon Hamilton
Thras Moraitis
The Rt Hon. The Baroness Judith Wilcox of Plymouth
Hendrik du Toit
Board of Trustees
Edward Cottrell (Chairman)
Stuart Boucher
John Lazar
Caelim Parks
Brian Rubenstein
Paul Seligman
Jessica Stalley
Caroline Theron
Sandi Theron
Introduction from our Patron
For the first time in decades, 2010 has seen progress in
reversing the spread of HIV. Fewer people are becoming
infected with the virus and fewer people are dying as a
result of AIDS. According to the 2010 UNAIDS Global
Report, the number of new infections has fallen by 19%
since 1999. Nevertheless, there are still an estimated
33.3 million people living with HIV and an estimated 2.6
million new infections in 2009.
Whilst the trends are encouraging, South Africa still
has the greatest number of people living with HIV/AIDS
at 5.7 million. In the poorest regions HIV prevalence
rates are up to 39% with communities suffering the
legacies of apartheid: unemployment, poor infrastructure
and extreme poverty. In spite of the global progress
in tackling the virus, these communities have seen
little improvement.
One of the greatest tragedies of the pandemic is the
growing number of children who have been orphaned
or made vulnerable. 20% of South African children
have lost one or both parents, often as a result of HIV.
148,000 are living in child headed households. The
country is buckling under the sheer numbers of children
needing support and it is crucial that communities are
empowered and skilled to step up to respond to the crisis
at the local level. In the face of these statistics, there is
hope. Communities are rallying to combat the effects of
HIV and AIDS on children in their neighbourhoods. The
key is in treating each child as a separate case.
This is where we come in. Through providing individual
children with the life, hope and opportunity they are
entitled to, significant improvements can be made.
Starfish reaches orphans and vulnerable children when
there is nowhere for them to turn and provides them with
the basic essentials, holistic care and life skills that they
need. Feedback from Thambo on the difference Starfish
has made in his life describes the impact much better
than I ever could: ‘I never imagined that I could ever be
given such a chance in my life as we have nothing since
my parents died.’
Starfish supports the worst affected communities and
maximises their potential: increasing local community
outreach and improving the delivery of care. This
year we are celebrating 10 years of providing the life
changing assistance so desperately needed. Starfish’s
response would not be possible without your help. We
are extremely grateful for your support.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
Patron
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