Gourmet Tea, Zawadi African Press

Kenyan HIV/AIDS Orphans to Receive US Donations from Tea Sales

Oakland , CA , November 17, 2003

Zawadi African Tea, importers and wholesalers of black teas from the highlands of Kenya , announced today the launch of the Kenyan AIDS-Orphaned Rescue Campaign . As part of the campaign, Zawadi African Tea will donate a portion of their profits to the some of the estimated over 1.1 million Kenyan orphans whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS. The donations will reach children in the Western provinces of Kenya through the Kenya AIDS Intervention/Prevention Project Group (KAIPPG).

Zawadi African Tea began in the Spring of 2003 after Robert Kihanya, the principal and a native of Kenya , returned from visiting his homeland. "I hadn't been to Kenya since 1996, and was devastated by the number of uncared for children roaming the streets of the capital, Nairobi ," said Kihanya. "Now with over one million orphaned children and 800 people a day dying of AIDS in Kenya , it is no wonder that so many families and communities I knew growing up have fallen apart. This gnawed at me during my stay and even after my return as I searched for a way that I could help."

Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS face not only the loss of one or both of their parents and possibly being infected themselves, they are also at an extreme risk of being physically or sexually exploited, neglected, and outcast from society. In most cases, they drop out of school and face uncertain and precarious futures.

" HIV/AIDS is a national disaster for the people of Kenya , children and adults alike with almost 14% of the population directly affected, and many more affected indirectly. In addition to the estimated 1.1 million orphans, the other individuals affected include children withdrawn from school to care for a sick relative, children who have become the breadwinners to replace the income of a sick parent, and families and communities caring for orphans," said Janet Feldman, Director/Founder of KAIPPG/international . "It is heartening that so many individuals have donated their time, effort and financial support to further KAIPPG's mission, and now Zawadi African Tea is the first company to offer their support thru the ongoing sale of their products. This has immense potential benefits, because even $20 a month can help to buy food, clothing, and education for an HIV/AIDS orphan, or a child whose family has been affected by HIV/AIDS and or poverty."

Zawadi, meaning "a gift" in Swahili, is the name appropriately chosen to call the company, not only because of the gift Zawadi donates to Kenyan children, but it also represents a 'gift' of economic independence to Kenyan tea farmers, whom for many years have barely made enough money to survive.

Kenyan HIV/AIDS Orphans to Receive US Donations from Tea Sales

Zawadi African Tea Launches "Kenyan AIDS-Orphaned Rescue Campaign"

To Benefit Kenyan Youth Affected By HIV/AIDS