November 2008
Muli Bwanji Friends!
Another lively year of work is coming to an end. In addition, Power of Love celebrated its 6th anniversary recently and the Power of Love Team would like say a big Thank You to all of you. You are the reason we are able to do what we do.
The last 12 months have been very busy but rewarding for everyone at POL. We are continuing to expand our programs – slowly and carefully. Cost management continues to be our big operational focus. Our goal for 2009 is to reduce our cost/child/month by an additional 10% while increasing the range of services provided.
Some highlights for 2008 include:
- Ensuring that all children are tested for HIV and are on ARV medication.
- Adding an additional 75 children to the Arms reach Care program. For more information visit http://www.poweroflove.org/innovationLab/index.htm.
- Adding ARV adherence and monitoring to the home-visit protocol.
- Adding a high protein Soya supplement for the very sick children. A weight gain by these children is evidence of their improved health.
- New micro loans were given out to 34 women in the Matero community in Lusaka, Zambia for a total of over 150 women receiving micro loans. For more information visit http://www.poweroflove.org/innovationLab/mtac.htm.
- Delivering 7000 mosquito nets to Kenya over the last 2 years. For more information visit http://www.poweroflove.org/features/malaria_net_project.htm.
- Running "Health Education Day" clinics for over 10,000 people
- Training 400 mothers/grandmothers in comprehensive home-based care.
- Of the 31 HIV-orphaned children enrolled in Gnana Prakasham Vidya School in Bangalore, India, 28 have been successfully promoted to the next grade.
Again, thank you for your generous support. None of this could have happened without you. At this time we are raising funds to continue the work in 2009. Please consider including POL (www.poweroflove.org) in your holiday giving.
Wishing you all a Very bright and Happy Holiday Season.
Zikomo Kwambiri
The Power of Love team
