Dear friends of BSG and AFADU,

A short update from me and BSG!

Good news is that we finally have a quote for the the entire project from a local supplier for the building of the factory. The foundations are laid now it’s time to get serious about the rest of the building. With the money so kindly donated to date, we are one 5th of the way there to fund the next phase....$40,000USD to go to and we’re set.

PLEASE BE IN TOUCH WITH ANY OPINIONS ON FUNDRAISING! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Secondly, and on a more personal note, I’m proud to announce the birth of the newest addition to AFADU and my first child, Jacob. He graced us with his presence on the 12th April. He is a pleasure and can’t wait to help out his mum with all things AFADU!

Finally, Pam Harrison, one of AFADU’s board members and coordinator of all things medical for AFADU, is known for her inspiring updates....so... i thought i’d share a snippet from her latest correspondence with the view to highlight just one of the forces that makes AFADU tick.....

“.........The first email stated that Ludwig Schimper confirmed me as a friend on Facebook. Ludwig, the almost 21 year old son of Ezelle Schimper, the driving force behind the Lirhanzo Children’s Village and the chairperson of the Chikimbedzi Hospital. He is a young man, who, by the way also makes a mean birthday cake and who I would be proud to call my own. On many occasions when I visited his home at Edenvale Ranch I have seen his courage and enormous strength of character as he has supported his parents goals to stay in their homeland and help the local community.

While looking at his profile I noticed one of his quotes “Today I dare to dream” a powerful quote for someone so young. I so wish that his future is everything he dares to dream for.

The second email came from Elliott Routledge the very talented artist son of Julie Routledge the founder of AFADU and Ian Routledge who effortlessly organises our containers to get from Australia to Zimbabwe. Elliott, who visited our projects in 2004 had written to say that he was painting for a charity exhibition in Byron Bay and had been given the opportunity to choose a charity to donate half of the selling price of his paintings to. Naturally, he said he was choosing AFADU............ Thanks as usual to all our remarkable supporters and the new ones we are slowly gathering. Many are young people who who wish to make a difference. Thanks again for their inspiration.”

Thank YOU from me and BSG for your continued support.

Trish

Links:

• http://www.afadu.com/

Pictures:

• Julie (Founder of AFADU), Pam & Ezelle (JPG)