The AIDS Orphans Partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the Diocese of Central Tanganyika is quickly progressing. A program coordinator is in place in Dodoma, Tanzania, and over a dozen EDNY parishes have already expressed interest in being partners in the project.

The AIDS Orphans Partnership (called “The Carpenter’s Kids” in Tanzania) supports the education of HIV/AIDS orphans in Central Tanganyika. It costs only $50 to provide an orphan with a quality education, with the money going to cover school fees, uniforms, books and breakfast each school day. EDNY hopes to link as many parishes as possible with the program.

“At a time when we have so much tension in our [Anglican] Communion,” said Bishop Catherine Roskam, “what a joy it is to partner with an African diocese in support of God’s mission in a suffering world.”

Contact your parish to find out if it is a partner yet. If not, urge your parish to consider becoming one! Keep in mind that you can also support the important work of this project individually by visiting the Support the Church page on our website at www.dioceseny.org. Please be sure to specify your donation for the AIDS Orphans Partnership. You can also send your donation via mail to the Region II office at 55 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.

Parishes can find the partnership form on the diocesan website. For more information, email aidsorphans@dioceseny.org or call the Region II office at 914-693-3848