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AngloGold Ashanti has placed HIV/AIDS high on its list of community initiatives at its Geita gold mine in
Tanzania. Since 2002, the mine has been raising funds for HIV/AIDS through its Mount Kilimanjaro
Challenge, an annual climb to the top of the country's highest point, Uhuru Peak. The annual climb was
initiated in response to former President Benjamin Mkapa's 1999 call to the entire nation, including the
private sector, to commit itself to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
Each year the mine adopts a national theme as its focus for the affectionately named 'Kili climb'. In 2004,
the slogan was 'Care for the orphans and the orphanages'. AIDS is responsible for leaving vast numbers
of children orphaned. In sub-Saharan Africa, an AVERT (international AIDS charity providing information
on HIV/AIDS) 2003 report estimated that Tanzania's orphaned children numbered 980,000, the country
with the third largest number of AIDS orphans after Nigeria (1.8 million) and South Africa (1.1 million). It is
estimated that of Geita district's population of approximately 758,000, there are about 3,000 orphans, due
to the death of one or both parents as a result of AIDS, accident or illness.
The 2005 Kili Climb slogan galvanised 44 climbers to make it to the top, and in doing so, raised 150
million Tanzanian Shillings ($150,000) for the cause. Funds were distributed among a number of
organisations which care for orphans including the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF),
Christian Children's Fund (CCF) Worldwide, the Good Samaritan Mission, Shalom Care House, Family
Care Foundation and Geita Orphans. A portion was also allocated to the Regional Administrative
Secretary of the Kilimanjaro region, to utilise as they see fit.
Following a decision by the Geita District Authority that all the orphanages be amalgamated into one single
orphanage, the Moyo Wa Huruma (Golden Heart) Orphanage Centre, the Geita gold mine allocated
$50,000 from the money raised in 2004 towards the construction and furnishing of a Geita orphanage.
Six hectares of land were provided by the Geita District Authority for the construction of the orphanage,
which took place between June and December 2005. The newly-completed centre has four dormitories
which can house up to 40 children. It is anticipated that recreational facilities will be constructed in the
next phase of construction. Children will attend the nearest primary school so that they are well-integrated
into the community. A supply of clothing has been donated by mine employees and by the Mchauru
Village community.
The orphanage will ultimately be fully managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Geita, but a key
requirement of both the mine and the Geita District Authority is that the centre be strictly nondenominational
and that children be admitted from any religious background, as per national
government's orphan selection criteria, which also includes prioritising children who: are under the age of
18; have lost both parents and have no other relatives to care for them; or have lost both parents and are
living with relatives who do not have the financial means to care for them.
In the meantime, Geita will assist in the management handover phase, until the Diocese takes over fully
at the end of 2006. By this time it is anticipated that the Diocese will have attracted a number of donors
to assist in funding the orphanage. However, Geita mine will continue to provide support through monies
raised from its annual 'Kili climbs'.
An official launch of the orphanage will take place in the first half of 2006, at which time an intake of
20 children is expected.
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