Dear Friends of TIAS ARMS,

     We are heading along happily into our ninth year of providing for comfort and love to children in So. Africa affected  by HIV/AIDS, and it is because of you who have made it possible.

 

     This letter is one of thanks and gratitude for we visited these children in Oct/Nov '09 and saw the effects of your caring.  Julia Brodrick, one of our volunteers, made her second trip at her own expense and she also felt the positive impact that TIAS ARMS out-reach provides to the children.

 

     Children who were babies sick with HIV/AIDS are now eight year olds. You would marvel at how their daily medications, consistent love, and care contribute to their daily living of being the eight year olds they deserve to be - playing, caring about one another, reaching for a hug, showing off their homework, talking about swimming in the rain.  Their laughter, trust and yearning to learn are testiment to the benefit of your donations.

 

     And so we see real evidence of the TIAS ARMS family that we are.

     We see the children coming to the clinic at Howick Hospice to get the hi-caloric food parcels TIAS ARMS provides.  Without this program, there would be no other funding.  I especially love that it has become so much part of life at the clinic that no one really knows who TIAS ARMS is and we could quietly watch the distribution of these parcels, knowing that these children will have food in their tummies to help ease the discomfort of the ARV medications.  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

     We see the nine year olds, now fourteen, coming back from school to their home in an old renovated brick building now called Khazimula Childrens' Project, formerly GECKO.  They carry their books, laughing and running eagerly to change into their play clothes - we've brought new soccer balls and the youngsters can't wait to play.  We found some of these children living on the streets a few years ago.  Now TIAS ARMS' out-reach of shoes, toothbrushes, school uniforms and supplies and supplemental protein to augment the diets for these "bottomless pit"  tummies and even a toilet seat for the cold hard toilet makes a difference on a daily basis for these growing children.  We also met the care-takers and heard how their salaries also make a difference in their community.  The children and teen-agers gathered around us and gave their heart-felt prepared speech of thanks and then broke into song.  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

     We slipped in quietly during a Mothers2Mothers peer support session.  A table full of nourishing food was laid out for these new mother-to-be who  gather for support, often finding out for the first time that they are HIV positive or that they have full blown AIDS - they have one another now and also the meal that TIAS ARMS provides for.  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

      An after school meal program in a rural area for children whose only meal for the day may be this one, through Ubuntu Education Fund.  Big rewards from small amounts of money.  So little goes so far.  I enjoyed watching the grannies preparing this meal in the school kitchen.  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

     We met one of the hospice care workers at Cotlands whose salary is paid for by TIAS ARMS.  Her warm embrace of the sick babies in her care was a double reward to witness.  She was so excited to meet us and to express her gratefulness for not only her salary (we provide for two hospice care workers salaries at Cotlands) but also for the care that these babies can receive.  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

     The voices of the children singing a cappella in perfect pitch and harmony and sheer joy at sharing their gifts.  At the end of song after song, the two year olds and four and six year olds, the eight and ten year olds shouted with glee, "Thank you TIAS ARMS".  I FELT PROUD FOR ALL OF US.

 

     2009 was a tentative year for grass-roots, volunteer based non-profits such as TIAS ARMS.  Yet we held strong with your support reaping our best year ever.  You believe in the outreach  your donations provide for.  You watch for the children's continuing growth and education. 

     We felt the generosity of those who could give, from the seventy cents from a young school boy here in Orange County to birthday celebrations naming TIAS ARMS as recipients of donations in lieu of personal gifts.  Two of TIAS ARMS friends held their own Wine Tasting which was a great success and now are having a second annual one.

     Organizations such as Be the Cause creates a Walk for Hope annually and allows for TIAS ARMS to participate  helping bring in awareness and donations.  The Centre for Spiritual Living creates a People Helping People Fest allowing for TIAS ARMS and other groups to find passionate volunteers.  Chapman University invited TIAS ARMS to join World Aids Day this year and we participated in the panel for the students and public.

     Our Annual FUN-raiser Celebration  was held on the beautiful campus of Chapman University last  May this where old and new friends of TIAS ARMS gathered, finding us sponsors for our hospice care workers salaries and food parcels along with our unusual itemed silent and live auctions.  Friends bought tables for their friends in a "paying it forward" enlarging our circle.  High schoolers joined our volunteer family turning our Sunday afternoon preparations into a time of sharing and caring for one another right here in our work for the children we serve far away.

 

     TIAS ARMS is committed to continuing our work with these children.  Our efforts are clearly paying off.  Our board is strong with a couple of new board members and our volunteer base boasts about 35 core members. 

 

     And it is YOU who contribute the donations which make all of our efforts possible.  Thank you for another successful year in providing this care. 

 

     Best Wishes,  Joanne Baker (founder)