Фонды принцессы Уэльской и Нельсона Манделы помогут жертвам СПИДа

 

Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to Provide Assistance to AIDS Orphans in South Africa

 
Former South African President Nelson Mandela announced on Saturday that the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund will team up with the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa, Reuters reports (Reuters, 11/2). The two charities will work together to help children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the disease (Agence France-Presse, 11/3). Mandela said that the late Princess Diana helped lessen the stigma surrounding poverty and disease through her charity work. "When she stroked the limbs of someone with leprosy or sat on the bed of a man with HIV/AIDS and held his hand, she transformed public attitudes and improved the life chances of such people," Mandela said (Clarke, Sunday Telegraph, 11/3). "AIDS is our number one enemy. ... While the research for a cure continues, four principles -- love, support, acceptance and care for those affected -- can make us winners," he added (Associated Press, 11/2). More than 660,000 South African young people have lost one or both parents to AIDS-related causes (Agence France-Presse, 11/3). 

Press Release
 

Nelson Mandela and Diana, Princess of Wales – two great names unite on behalf of South African children

On 2 November 2002, the names of two of our lifetime’s greatest humanitarians will combine to launch an initiative in support of children and communities affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa. 

Former South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela is coming to the UK to pay a personal tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales for her humanitarian work. At a press conference in London, Mr Mandela will emphasise the important role played by the late Princess, particularly in combating stigma around HIV/AIDS, and highlight the work which continues in her name through her Memorial Fund.

At the same time he will announce the coming together of his own charity, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund with The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and support families coping with terminal illness and bereavement. This joint initiative will build on existing work of the two Funds in South Africa in the area of palliative care and the welfare of children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dr Andrew Purkis, Chief Executive of The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund says: ‘Diana, Princess of Wales had an enduring commitment to the care of people who are dying or bereaved. She broke new ground in changing attitudes to people with HIV/AIDS. We are delighted to be joining forces with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in channelling support into both these areas of need in South Africa and thrilled and honoured that Mr Mandela should be lending his personal support.’

Sibongile Mkhabela, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund says: ‘The damage of HIV/AIDS in Africa is felt most through the children who are left behind with no material, financial or psychosocial support. The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund among others is faced with the challenge of rebuilding society, ensuring that the children left behind are not infected, they are socially accepted and adequately provided for.'

A fundraising dinner is being hosted by the Memorial Fund at Spencer House, the London home of the Spencer family, on the evening of Saturday 2 November on behalf of the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund with Mr Mandela as guest of honour and speaker. 
 

Notes for Editors: 

Mr Mandela will also be making a private visit to Althorp at the invitation of Earl Spencer, a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

South Africa is struggling to cope with one of the world’s worst HIV/AIDS crises. The numbers infected with the virus has exceeded the very worst projections made by health experts a decade or so ago many times over. The South African government estimates that 10 per cent of the population are infected with the virus, or 4.7 million people. 

The impact of this disease on children is particularly devastating. More than 660,000 children are believed to have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS (globally the figure reaches 14 million) and many thousands more are nursing dying parents or are recently bereaved. In addition, 250,000 children are themselves infected with the virus and face death. 

Because of the scale of the epidemic, traditional safety nets are being stretched beyond capacity. Children are nursing their dying parents; elderly grandparents are having to find the means to provide for their own children’s children. On top of the economic and social challenges faced by these ‘new families’, is the massive emotional burden that comes with dealing with multiple bereavements. 
In 2001, The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund launched a five year ?5 million palliative care initiative focusing on sub Saharan Africa designed to extend palliative care to the many millions of people who need it in a region devastated by HIV/AIDS and increasing incidence of cancer. In South Africa the Fund has supported a range of community-based projects, mainly through local hospices, and is working with the Hospice Association of South Africa (HASA) to advocate for better palliative care and to develop training for health professionals in the discipline. Despite the scale of the epidemic, there are only five doctors in South Africa qualified in Palliative Medicine. 

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has been in existence since 1995 through a personal 30% salary contribution by its Founder, Mr Mandela, whilst he was still President of South Africa. Since inception the Children’s Fund has raised nearly R300 million (approximately ?20 million) and distributed R98 million (approximately ?6 million). In the past two years the Children’s Fund has intensified its efforts to respond to the needs of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS, and in this regard launched a highly acclaimed R43 million (approximately ?2.7 million) pilot programme titled GOELAMA (which means to safeguard and nurture). This programme reaches 10 communities with an estimated population of 1.5 million, and reaches at least 150 000 children directly affected by AIDS deaths.