HIV & Feeling Positive!

Well it's World AIDS Day today, 1st December, and our lovely lady who is HIV Positive is busy at work helping to get Christmas orders ready and sent out by the end of the week. Martha and I can’t quite believe that it’s the same lady who couldn’t even get out of bed this time last year. She was half her body weight in size and close to deaths door - now she looks as fit and healthy as all the other ladies and you wouldn’t even know that she was HIV Positive. It just goes to show that you really can live a positive life when you’ve got HIV – you just need a lot of love and support around you.

So on this special day we’d really like to thank all our customers who’ve helped us support our lovely lady over the past two years through sales and donations which we’ve received and given to her family to buy food and to get her to the clinic for check-ups. Martha and I are very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve through the love Heartfelt has received from you all. We've managed to pay it forward and we couldn't have done it without you - so thank you for helping us make a difference. It's allowed one mother to become a positive, happy and healthy role model for her children.


NOW HERE ARE SOME SCARY STATISTICS

• Did you know that in South Africa almost 5 adults are HIV Positive (17.8%) – that is 5.63 million people.

• Everyday almost 1000 people still die of AIDS

• There were 1.95 million AIDS orphans in South Africa in 2009

• More than one in ten high school girls who present to Anti-natal Clinics, are HIV positive (13.7% in 15-19 year age group). For women aged between 30-34, it is 41.5%

So we hope you’re all wearing your HIV/AIDS Heartfelt Brooches with pride today. Together, we can change so many more lives through the love and support of our small community. Getting tested is the first step. Then teaching the ladies how to live a happy healthy life is the second. If you, or someone you know is suffering from HIV please do not hesitate to contact us for advice and support. We’ve got lots more love to spread around.

Ps. And on another positive note. Martha and I are off to the 2nd Annual Platinum Province Craft & Design Awards in Mafikeng tomorrow, where we (Heartfelt) has been selected as a finalists. So we can't wait to spill the beans when we get back and to show you the stunning Bushfelt Design Set Martha created especially for the event. Till then, take care and think positive.