A group of Tenby toddlers got their hands dirty last month in a sponsored hand-paint to help children in Africa have an HIV-free start to life.
Mums and their little ones were covered in red paint as they made their hand prints. The hand prints were then cut out and formed into a giant Aids/HIV awareness ribbon ready to promote awareness for World Aids Day today (Friday).
The Tenby Toddler Group, which takes place in Deer Park Church Hall on Thursday mornings, raised £115 in support of Tearfund's 'Work a Miracle' appeal. Tearfund's miracle vision is to stop the spread of HIV in the poorest places where they work by 2015.
The 'Work a Miracle' appeal focuses on the moving story of a Malawian mother, Esther, and her 10- year-old daughter Alinafe. Esther is HIV positive and her fear is that she has passed HIV on to her daughter during child birth. The 'Work A Miracle' pack shows Alinafe getting her HIV test results; thankfully they are negative - she has a chance of a full life. This is not the case for one in three children born to HIV positive mothers.
"Being mums, the ladies at the toddler group can empathise with mums like Esther in wanting to give the best care to their children. The mums joined Tearfund's appeal to give other children a chance of a full and healthy life. I would like to thank these mums and toddlers for supporting this life- changing work. Their efforts will help to 'Work a Miracle' in the lives of vulnerable children," said Tenby-based Tearfund media volunteer, Sharron Hardwick.
Just £7 can give a child the chance of an HIV-free start to life, enabling Tearfund's partners to provide support, advice and education to mothers, as well as giving them access to HIV testing and treatments. In joining Tearfund, the Tenby toddlers have given at least 16 children the chance of an HIV-free start in life.
"It would be great if Pembrokeshire could continue to be part of Tearfund's vision. The sponsored hand-paint is one of many ways to get involved. Pembrokeshire people are creative, they can get behind this cause and have fun at the same time!" said Sharron Hardwick.
Tearfund's 'Work a Miracle' pack is available for all. You can get a copy of it by logging on to http://www.tearfund.org">www.tearfund.org or call 0845 355 8355. For a more local contact, call Tearfund's local media officer, Sharron Hardwick, on 07791 646076. Help 'Work a Miracle' with Tearfund. Together we can make a difference.