Members of the Foundation Raised Funds for HAPCSO in London  

Ms. Sosinna Tesfa, Executive Director of the Haile Selassie I Foundation, visited Ethiopian HIV/AIDS orphans in Addis Abeba in June 2004.   Ms. Tesfa had already been involved in representing and supporting Hiwot AIDS/HIV Prevention, Care & Support Organization, (HAPCSO) by encouraging family and friends to sponsor orphans, when she was approached by a Charity Organizing Committee in London which was considering funding grassroots organizations in Ethiopia.  Ms. Tesfa strongly recommended HAPCSO's international award winning programs and as a result, the Organizing Committee signed on to support HAPCSO.  On October 8, 2003, funds totaling $16,700 (150,000 Ethiopian Birr ) were raised at a piano soirée in London to benefit Ethiopian orphans under HAPCSO' s care.

The attendees of the charity dinner were prominent members of the community in London some of whom shared their affinity for Ethiopia and Emperor Haile Selassie's humanitarian contributions. The fundraiser was held at the Bulgarian Embassy in the Presence of His Excellency, Ambassador Valantin Dobrev, who was gracious enough to host the event.  The Haile Selassie I Foundation's Advisory Board Member, Mr. Anthony Mockler, Author of "Haile Selassie's War," was among the distinguished guests. Basia Hamilton, a renowned painter underwritten by the Duke of England along with her husband, Mr. Ian Hamilton, served on the charity committee ensuring the event's success.  The event was sold out and received wonderful reviews. Most importantly, the guests learned of the alarming impact AIDS/HIV has had on the Ethiopian population. 

HAPCSO was established for the sole purpose of taking care of AIDS orphans and other victims of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.  HAPCSO's Founder and President, Sister Tibebe Maco, staff members, and the orphaned children organized a wonderful welcoming reception in appreciation of Ms. Tesfa's efforts and the Organizing Committee in London.  Ms. Tesfa was given a tour of HAPCSO's facilities where she had the opportunity to meet and address the members of the local associations currently supporting HAPCSO's initiatives.  Ms. Tesfa visited the homes of several orphans and was encouraged by the effective care HAPCSO was providing for the children as well as HAPCSO's programs, including providing care for the orphans while keeping the children in the community by enlisting the assistance of their closest living relative serving to serve as guardian.  Ms. Tesfa met four such siblings who were orphaned when they lost both parents to AIDS. These four orphaned siblings were successfully placed in a comfortable home under the care of their grandmother whom HAPCSO had encouraged to relocate to Addis Abeba from her home in the countryside.

Following a remarkable theatrical performance by the orphans, which conveyed the impact HIV/AIDS has had on their lives, an orphan Ms. Tesfa personally sponsors, presented her with a gift of appreciation. Ms.Tesfa accepted the gift on behalf of the Organizing Committee, the distinguished guests of the charity dinner, and all of the other caring individuals who were involved in making the charity event a success.  She also offered words of hope and reassurances to the children, telling them that they are always thought of and that she would continue to do everything in her power to be their voice in the United States and elsewhere.  

HAPCSO's humble effort attempts to impact the lives of Ethiopians in the most underdeveloped sectors of the population.  Over 4 million Ethiopians are presently HIV positive. HAPCSO manages to support orphans with very limited resources; less $20.00/month per child covers all subsistence, medical, and schooling needs.  Under Sister Maco's leadership, HAPCSO has managed to augment its resources and galvanize volunteers from local associations and  religious organizations to widen the reach of its program.  Recently, HAPCSO received a permit to duplicate its programs throughout the city of Addis Abeba

The Haile Selassie I Foundation encourages its members and associates to consider sponsoring a child for only $20.00 per month.  For more information, contact our office at 703.256.5788 or visit: www.hapcso.org.

Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation
U.S. Registered 501 (c) (3) Non-profit Corporation. Copyright 2003-2005.