Artists for Charity (AFC) is a collective story of providing change. The task of providing change to the countless millions in Ethiopia who are touched by the hand of HIV/AIDS is daunting. We help bring change, one child at a time. The children at the AFC home are double orphaned by HIV/AIDS while living with the disease themselves. The stories shared by these young boys and girls are of the enduring hope and abiding strength of human resiliency. These children are in turn changing the perception of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, educating the public while providing hope to the many people they encounter.
There is another integral part to the AFC story, that of the AFC workers, volunteers, and donors. Without these individuals, AFC would not be possible, they are the life ink of AFC stories—stories that continue to be written every day. Ultimately, the individual experiences of each person who is a part of AFC is intertwined with the story of the collective whole; each new member to the AFC family becomes a vital contributor to the collective story. Below are some of the stories shared by members for the AFC family. Maybe one day you will add your own story.
Katrina Franzen
My AFC story began in Spring 2008 when Abezash and I crossed paths at a mutual friend’s art exhibition. At the time I was making murals with recycled vinyl– a material with which she was familiar and had prime access to– so I showed her my personal artwork that was on the same premises as the art show. She asked me if I would like to be an artist-in-residence at the Artists for Charity Children’s Home, a home for HIV-positive orphans that she created in her native country, Ethiopia. “But we don’t call it an orphanage,” she said as she handed me a brochure….
Nana Gregory
Though I’ve traveled throughout many developing countries, I had never been to Africa. I was greatly anticipating my trip to Ethiopia. I just arrived at Artists for Charity in Addis Ababa to volunteer for a couple of weeks.
Million Fikre
My AFC story began in the spring of 2007. I was asked to write an article about an organization that operated a home for HIV-positive orphans in Ethiopia. Born in Ethiopia, I felt compelled to take the assignment.
Bethel Tsegaye
My AFC Story starts in the summer of 2007 on my first trip back to Ethiopia since 17 years.
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