OUTREACH

News Update - October 2007 Some wonderful news in from Searchlight Orphan Care...the Malawi on-the-ground- partner of The Australian AIDS Fund Incorporated. The SOC has done so well with its harvest of crops that it decided to share its bounty...to some 700 orphans in the Msema area. The SOC appropriately chose the Mothers and Babies Health Care Centre in the grounds of The Australian Primary School for its distribution, and it was almost mobbed by the crowds! It went very well....the needy youngsters each went away carrying some 15 kilograms of maize and 2 kilograms of beans and some salt. Soon afterwards, there as another big gathering in the grounds of the Australian Primary School at Msema when quantities of sought after cooking oil, sugar and salt were also distributed.

In the days leading up to Christmas 2006, there were great celebrations in Msema as clothing bought by The Australian AIDS Fund through its Malawi partner (Searchlight orphan Care) was distributed to over 650 orphans and vulnerable children in the region. It was also the occasion for singing and dancing and even poetry readings...as well as some AIDS awareness messages!

In November 2006, the Searchlight Orphan Care organisation, with the help of its Australian partner, engaged the well-known Titani Drama Group and embarked on a five village HIV/AIDS awareness campaign with the colourful Drama group exciting widespread interest wherever they went.Other villages have since called for similar visits to be made to their regions.It's a vital outreach work.

The campaign has already encouraged many people to come forward to ask about HIV blood-testing.

The following photos were taken during the campaign.

The November effort followed on from the earlier activities held in October.

The Searchlight Orphan Care organisation is now attracting interest in Msema from far and wide.In early October 2006, Msema received visitors from the Phalombe District Authorities, the Social Welfare Office and the Information Department.

It became an occasion for song and dance and getting together...and also to provide maize to 30 orphans from the villages of Filisa and Kalinde.

The day was one of colour and movement...song and dance...games and even poetry readings

The outreach work of Searchlight Orphan Care takes in some 15 villages outside Msema....an opportunity also to bring maize to some 90 orphans and to promote the messages of HIV/AIDS awareness

From the Social Welfare Office...a message that the orphans needed to be cared for...and encouragement for the Searchlight Orphan Care organisation in all of its various projects.