Mission & Objectives

Managing director Baba Sylla: plenty of reasons to stay hopeful

‘The HIV/AIDS problems in Africa are enormous, far too big for a small organization like Orange Babies. Our help is but a drop in the ocean.’

I am glad that we do not share this pessimist view.

And rightly so.

Rightly so because during the past years we have been able to save thousands of lives. And we have helped hundreds of thousands of people. All the mothers and babies in our shelters are living proof of that.

Rightly so because everywhere in Africa government authorities are looking for actual solutions and are offering help. Testing for HIV is promoted. Education is provided. Stigmatization and denial are fought.

Rightly so because according to the UNAIDS statistics the number of new HIV infections in Africa keeps going down.

While at the same time they are going up in Asia. So we know our prevention programs work and hopefully they will learn from our experiences elsewhere.

Rightly so because according to UNAIDS experts the current HIV-inhibitors are so effective that if everyone would receive the treatment the number of new infections would go down drastically and might come close to stopping altogether.

So there are plenty of reasons to stay hopeful. And to continue what we started 12 years ago, i.e. giving help to mothers and babies, because they need help the most.

In spite of being a small foundation we can bring a big change in their lives. And that is why we will keep appealing to your goodwill and idealism.

Baba Sylla
Managing Director Orange Babies
 

The first priority is to prevent transmission of the HIV virus from mother to baby

• offering powdered formula as a substitute for breastfeeding
• developing and supporting education programs
• providing medication against opportunistic diseases

The second priority is providing treatment, care and support for mother and child

• providing medical treatment
• building and supporting shelters
• building maternity clinics
• providing care and education for orphans