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Monitor writer Scott Baldauf and photographer Melanie Stetson Freeman explain why they decided to profile these two families who have taken in AIDS orphans.

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A spiritual perspective

Helping children in crisis

How can we help African children orphaned by AIDS?

The Monitor continues an occasional series profiling two South African couples who opened their hearts and stretched their resources to give AIDS orphans a family. The Monamodis, who had two children already, found space in their four-room home for six cousins who lost their mothers to AIDS. The Selomas, an older couple whose only son was killed several years ago, took an almost unheard-of step in South Africa and volunteered to be foster parents to an orphaned boy. Now, they hope his sister will eventually be allowed to join him.

Celina Thimbela and Pule Seloma

Part II

Mary's not coming back

10.02.08

AIDS orphan copes without his sister

Gift started kindergarten this year, but misses his sister who was taken away in a custody dispute.

Olga and Pontsho Monamodi

Let's talk about sex

10.02.08

The challenge of raising teens in AIDS-ravaged South Africa

Thabang Thimbela's foster parents struggle to guide him and his foster sister Bulelwa through the temptations of adolescence.

Part I

Gift and Mary get a new home

09.26.07

Couple finds new beginning in 'Gift'

Ever since their 21-year-old son was killed six years ago, Celina Seloma told her husband, Pule, that she wanted a child in their lives.

A young family suddenly grows

09.26.07

In AIDS' wake, new family

Olga and Pontsho Monamodi added six children to their family after Olga's sister and aunt both died.

09.26.07

Social workers in short supply in South Africa

At the Roodepoort Child Welfare Society, their caseload has risen from between 60 and 80 a year to well over 1,000.

Doing Good

 

What happens when ordinary people decide to pay it forward? Extraordinary change...

Paul Giniès is the general manager of the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso, which trains more than 2,000 engineers from more than 30 countries each year.

Paul Giniès turned a failing African university into a world-class problem-solver

Today 2iE is recognized as a 'center of excellence' producing top-notch home-grown African engineers ready to address the continent's problems.

 
 
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