Right: Clare Andawa has been working the past three years at Det Health Centre

“My hope is to see my sons grow, to see them finish their studies, have a paying job, and earn enough for their own clothing and food.” says Teresa from her tiny shack in Santiago Texacuango, near El Salvador’s capital city. Like thousands of people across El Salvador, Teresa and her youngest son are HIV positive.

This dream would have seemed elusive until Teresa received assistance from the Caritas Australia supported CONTRASIDA, a local organisation which runs a Preventive Education and Accompaniment Program that aims to halt the spread of the disease and support those living with and affected by it.

In addition to medical services, the program offers holistic support including counseling, nutrition supplements, school assistance or business training for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

In supporting Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraiser, you are helping those in the midst of this pandemic to lead lives of hope and promise.

Caritas Australia is part of an international network that works in over 200 countries and territories, empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty.

With the theme ‘Blueprint for a better world’, this year’s Project Compassion focuses on the Millennium Development Goals, an eight step global action plan for halving world poverty by 2015.

Money raised will support Caritas Australia’s work with local partners, who are improving their own lives through projects that address issues such as health, education, gender equality, water and sustainable agriculture, priorities which are set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

Project Compassion 2009 aims to beat last year’s fundraising effort of raising over $8.7 million around Australia.

Donations can be made to Project Compassion by phoning 1800 024 413, on-line at www.caritas.org.au
or by posting your cheque to GPO Box 9830 in your capital city.