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African HOPE Crafts

African Hope Crafts is a non-profit job creation initiative empowering the disadvantaged and those suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Their workshops are based in the Masiphumelele district, located about 45 minutes south of Cape Town, where an estimated population of 40,000 are living in poorly constructed shacks. Governmental statistics proclaim that approximately 35% of these people are HIV+. However, those who work in this township believe that the actual figure is over 50% and rising. While anti-retro viral (ARV) drugs are available, free of charge from the government, a small minority of those infected actually use the drugs. This is because there is such a negative stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, that many refuse to even be tested.

The crafters at African Hope Crafts use traditional methods and materials as well as recycled materials to create unique jewellery pieces. African Hope Craft's also provides training, meals and medical care to those most in need in this impoverished district.

As a direct result of many years of this “turning a blind eye” to the problem, there are now hundreds, maybe even thousands, of children in Masiphumelele who are at great risk. Many are HIV+ themselves and don’t know it. Many more have been orphaned because their parents have succumbed to this terrible disease. And still many more are being deserted or abandoned or mistreated by parents who are too sick to look after them or sometimes even to care. Besides job creation programs and support for adult crafters, African Hope Crafts is currently raising funds to establish an orphanage for the "forgotten children" of Masiphumelele.

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