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BOOKMARKS
FOR YOUR LIBRARY: HOPE FOR ORPHANS By Godfrey Kimega What's
in a bookmark? Its one of those day to day conveniences that we take for
granted, never giving a thought to it until we spend several minutes flipping
through that thick volume we are engrossed in, trying to find the last page
we read. |
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What's a bookmark?
It could be anything: a folded up piece of paper, a pen, a page of the book
doubled up at the corner or even a piece of string. Often, we get bookmarks
for free from generous book publishers. |
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| Why
the interest in the Bookmark? That … Bookmark… could make the
difference in the life of a child orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping
across Africa. The $1 paid for a single bookmark will provide a nutritious
meal to a child at TEMAK's centre in Kisumu, Kenya. It will not only be
a convenience to your reading, but is a great work of art that should be
a welcome addition to your life. Its made of durable material with images
of African traditional dances, the traditional way of life and various species
of African wildlife. |
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 Lots
of children in the locality of TEMAK have been left destitute, uncared for
and unloved since their parents succumbed to AIDS. The disease attacks mostly
young to middle aged adults, because they also happen to be sexually active.
Unfortunately these age groups are raising young families and with the disease
taking its toll, a lot of children are let orphaned with little property
to inherit (before succumbing to AIDS, its victims often exhaust their savings
on medication). Relatives who, in an ideal African context, should have
raised the orphans are facing similar difficult situations and are unable
to provide for the children's educational, psychological and nutritional
needs.
Without sufficient
food, children suffer stunted growth, poor concentration at school, retarded
intellectual capacity and easily come down with all kinds of illnesses.
Lack of food at their new guardians' homes tempts the orphans to become
child laborers or engage in vice. Girls in dire straits can turn to prostitution
as a means of survival. Because of engaging in destructive activities
for a living, the orphans drop out of school - an act that further diminishes
their chances of a better future and which could trap them into a lifetime
of poverty. |
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| Giving
these children a meal a day will help keep them in school, keep their bodies
healthy and their minds ready to absorb the lessons they will need for the
21st century globalised environment. Having these kids in school will convey
values of hard work, discipline and respect for God, themselves and their
community. Educating these children will open up possibilities that they
presently cannot imagine. Education, be it academic or spiritual, will give
these currently disadvantaged kids the ability to make the right choices
when confronted with crime, peer pressure, drugs or early sex. |
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| At
the TEMAK centre, teenage mothers, young widows and adolescents living with
HIV are making craft items as part of their rehabilitation process. Sales
proceeds from the craft are used in counseling and economically empowering
them. Revenue from bookmarks has been dedicated to feeding orphans and thus,
keeping them in school and, hopefully, give them an opportunity for a better
life in future.
US$1 spent
on a bookmark will provide a meal and make a world of difference to an
orphan. Its clearly too much to expect $1 to revolutionize an orphan's
life but this single dollar will take care of their immediate food needs
today. |
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| Why
not tell your friends about these objects of art, or your church, workplace
or club? Let them know that a handy purchase of a bookmark from TEMAK will
be appreciated by many in a distant land. (You are welcome to visit the
TEMAK Centre in Kisumu.)
Order a TEMAK bookmark today, and touch the life of a young one. Find out about stores near you. How else can you participate in improving the lives of young women living with HIV and children orphaned by AIDS? More about this. |
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| TEENAGE MOTHERS
& GIRLS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA P.O. BOX 3531, KISUMU 40100, KENYA, East Africa Mobile Tel: +254 722 271066 EMAIL: temak@mailkisumu.com
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