Rokpa Charity

Rokpa is the Tibetan word for "to help" or "to serve".

Rokpa International is an NGO founded in 1980 by Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche. It is now celebrating 25 years of work in three continents to help people in need and to promote self-sufficiency. It helps people of all backgrounds and has no political affiliations.

Some of the projects are fully funded by Rokpa, whilst others have been established in partnership with local organisations, with Rokpa contributing a portion of the costs.
During Rokpa’s growth, the emphasis of the work done has changed in order to meet local needs. Rokpa believes in working with local individuals and organisations and this approach is reflected in Rokpa’s name, the Tibetan word for‘help’ which contains the sense of offering service to others. Rokpa is not concerned with imposing its own development agenda, but in listening to local needs, and then seeking to answer them. www.rokpa.org

Zimbabwe

Family Program for HIV-Infected Mothers and Their Children

The Problem
The lack of proper food, clean water and the necessary medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS diminishes the life expectancy of infected persons in developing countries to less than 5 years compared with the 15 years of HIV carriers in Europe. In Harare alone, the capital of Zimbabwe, it is presumed there are half a million HIV-infected women. In a society where the upbringing of children is mainly the responsibility of women, the early deaths of countless HIV-positive mothers has led to disastrous consequences for the future of African society.

Children, made orphans at an early age, are traumatised and are often obliged to leave school because school fees can no longer be paid.

Without paternal care the children are at risk of developing anti-social behaviour or may even have tendencies to criminal behaviour. As teenagers they are in danger of infection from the HIV virus.

Dzivarasekwa Extension is a temporary transit camp on the outskirts of Harare. The majority of the inhabitants live in shacks made of waste wood, metal and plastic. Space is restricted and during the rainy period the paths are drenched and mud is knee deep. Insufficient canalisation endangers the health of the inhabitants since the makeshift toilets do not function properly and often overflow. Life is a constant struggle. Jobs are scarce and there is great competition for the few temporary ones.

The Solution
The program to improve nutrition as well as the health-counselling program aim to stabilise the condition of HIV-infected mothers and possibly to improve it so that they can look after their families. It is of utmost importance that the children are cared for by their own mothers as long as possible.

For HIV-infected orphans their grandmother is often their only role model. With the support of ROKPA the children have the opportunity to grow up in familiar surroundings. With each year the children gain more independence and with an adequate education the chances of their ending up in the street decreases.

For US$ 80.- you can provide a family of three children with food, school fees and the mother's HIV medication for one month.

Many thanks for your support!

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