Let's keep girls in school

I am sharing this story in line with one of our young girls here called Josie.  Josie is one of the many girls in our program whose life is being transformed through the power of education, but her journey with us began long before she ever stepped into a classroom.

We took Josie into our care when she was just two weeks old. From those earliest days, she has grown surrounded by love, protection, and the belief that her life has purpose.  As an orphan girl, her path could have been marked by loss and limitation. Instead, it is being shaped by opportunity and hope now.  We believe that education is one of the strongest weapons in the fight against poverty and for this, it is an equalizer, and Josie’s life is living proof of that belief. Because of consistent care and faithful donor support, Josie is able to attend school comfortably—learning, growing in confidence, and dreaming about the future with excitement.

School provides Josie with more than academic knowledge. It offers stability, safety, and a foundation for independence. It protects her from the risks that force many vulnerable girls out of school and opens doors to a future filled with possibility.  Josie's story reflects the heart of our orphanage program. She is one of many children whose lives are being nurtured from their earliest moments through to education and beyond. Each child we support represents a long-term commitment—not just to survival, but to thriving.

We are deeply grateful for the bright future ahead of Josie and girls like her. Thank you for standing with us and for helping children like Josie stay in school, grow with dignity, and step confidently into a hopeful future.  The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

Before joining our sisal project, Mary lived a life filled with struggle and uncertainty. A widow and a grandmother of five children left in her care after their mother passed away from HIV and AIDS, she carried a heavy burden. With no steady job, she relied on occasional work on people’s farms — seasonal jobs that were hard to find and paid very little. The little income she earned could not meet her family’s basic needs. Accessing food, medication, and other essentials was a daily challenge.

The weight of poverty and stress was visible on her face — exhaustion, agony, and worry clouded her every day.

Today, with your financial support, training and walking together with as on this great project, her story has changed. Through the sisal project, she now has meaningful work that provides her with a reliable income.  With her earnings, she is able to meet her family’s basic needs, take care of her grandchildren, and begin the journey out of poverty.

Mary's face now radiates joy and hope, replacing the despair that once defined her life. Beyond her work, she is known as a strong prayer warrior, drawing strength from her faith as she uplifts others around her.

This is the transformation your support brings — turning despair into dignity, and giving women like her the opportunity to provide for their families and build a brighter future.  

The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.