Supporting AIDS Orphans

Tenth grader Xiao Li and fourth grader Xiao Huang and thousands of children like them in Henan Province have experienced more pain in their lives than most children in other places.  Their fathers died of AIDS several years ago; and less than a year after their initial loss, their mothers left to remarry elsewhere. 

This human disaster began in the early 1990s when illegal blood buying stations induced farmers to sell blood.  For poor families, this extra income meant a more balanced diet and warm clothes for their children and money for school fees and supplies. Unfortunately, the unsanitary means used in drawing blood put many at risk for HIV infection after even just one unknown HIV positive donor.  As a result, tens of thousands have been infected and many parents have died, leaving their children essentially orphaned. Sometimes, both parents died of AIDS.  Other times, the child’s mother left to remarry in another area after her husband died. 

Xiao Li lives with her 80-year-old grandmother and 19-year-old sister.  Her sister does the farming and cares for both of them.  Xiao Huang lives with her uncle’s family because her grandfather is too old.  Her uncle seeks odd jobs in the city, so his wife does the farming and cares for the three children, her own and Xiao Huang. 

Early on, our brothers and sisters in Christ in Henan Province became concerned that children like Xiao Li and Xiao Huang might have to drop out of school and might not have proper nutrition and clothing. Through IM's partner -- the Amity Foundation -- you began supporting three AIDS orphans in late 2003 and are currently supporting 75.  Some of the support has come from individuals or individual churches, while the rest has come from  International Ministries' Student Tuition and Expense Program (STEP )and from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) development funds.  For example, Xiao Li’s support comes from OGHS, while Xiao Huang is specifically sponsored by First Baptist - Madison, WI (they are currently supporting two children). International Ministries has the goal of increasing the number of orphans supported by American Baptist sources to 100 within the near future.

Would you or your church be willing to help?

How much does it cost to support an orphan?
Support for each child in kindergarten through 9th grade (primary and junior middle school) is $200 per year.  This is enough to cover school fees and to provide the child with school supplies, needed clothing and a more balanced diet. Support for each child in 10th -12th grade (senior middle school) is $400 per year. Since senior middle schools are in towns, not in villages, and often far from the children's homes, these students have the additional expense (room and board) of having to live at school.  The $400 covers the senior middle school child's tuition and room and board and provides for clothing and school supplies. 

Where should I send the money and how should I designate where it should go?
Money to support AIDS orphans in Henan Province in China can be sent to International Ministries, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482,  Checks should be made out to "International Ministries" and should be accompanied by a note explaining that the money is for the support of AIDS orphans in Henan Province in China.

Can I learn the name of a specific child in order to develop a relationship with that child?
If you would like to develop a relationship with a child, you can get the name of a child to correspond with from Judy Sutterlin at jsutterlin@hotmail.com. Please write "AIDS orphan" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Can I specify the age or sex of the child I might like to support?
If you have a preference for about the age and sex of the child you wish to support, just indicate that in your communication with Judy.

Who do I  contact if I have additional questions? 
If you have any additional questions, you may contact Judy Sutterlin at jsutterlin@hotmail.com.  Please write "AIDS orphan" on the subject line of your e-mail.

These photos of AIDS orphans may not be used, except with the explicit permission of Judy Sutterlin. Please write "AIDS orphan photos" in the subject line of your e-mail. Photos of orphans have been edited to protect their privacy.