Our Beginning
SAME began in 2004 with medical volunteers who traveled to South Africa to provide medical services to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. To our amazement, we found that many of these precious little ones who were orphaned were infected with HIV as well. Now, through our relationships and cooperative efforts with South African providers, we are providing daily love, food, medical care and HIV testing and other medical treatment to orphans and vulnerable children.
Our Focus
SAME’s focus is primarily on impoverished and/or HIV/AIDS infected children. SAME’s target areas are the impoverished rural primary schools and communities of Timbavati and Sigagula, east of Acornhoek, in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
Our Strategy
SAME’s strategy is simple. We network in communities to identify the caregiver that loves these little ones and who is taking care of them – maybe an older sibling, grandmother or neighbor. Care givers are doing their best and need help so we come along side them, providing assistance and education so that they can better care for the little ones.
SAME has established and maintains a passionate, caring, competent, and trusted organization that effectively cares for orphans and other vulnerable children in their communities and which provides opportunities for others to effectively help.
SAME identifies needs, identifies existing local people and organizations that are meeting needs, establishes local relationships and helps the local South African people do it better.
SAME United States
USA Board of Directors are all volunteers from multiple disciplines and backgrounds. All have traveled to SAME’s service area.
SAME South Africa
The South African Board of Directors works closely with the U.S. board. They create local support and oversee the projects on the ground.