1280 Piedra Morada Drive

Pacific Palisades , CA 90272

Administrative Director—Megan Colvard

AIDS Orphans

The AIDS epidemic has devastated sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia, formerly Northern Rhodesia, is one of Africa's poorest nations and one of the countries hardest hit by this epidemic. Societal mores, polygamy, unemployment, poor education, and a financially strapped health care system have all played a role in the spread of the disease. It is estimated that 40 per cent of adults between the ages of 15 and 40 are HIV positive in Zambia. Grand parents and aunts often struggle to raise the family's children orphaned by AIDS. In many instances, however, the extended families are either too poor or too weakened by the disease to offer needed support. The Kalingalinga Community School in urban Lusaka is a school supported by the Catholic Church through the Sisters of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. These sisters and lay teachers work tirelessly to educate, and feed the children. Every available dollar goes to essentials and there is very little left for new clothing or recreational equipment. Most of the children have never had a new shirt or shorts and have never played with a real ball. Through the generous donations of Kramer Sporting Goods in Santa Monica, Marymount High School, Pacific Palisades High School, the American Youth Soccer Organization and the Galaxy Soccer Club, the Children's Educational Foundation was able to provide clothing and recreational equipment for over 1000 children. In addition, the Foundation has raised funds for the construction of new classrooms at the Kalingalinga School. The Children's Educational Foundation is committed to continuing its support of the needs of these special children through the coming years.

The Children's Educational Foundation through donations from a number of organizations in greater Los Angeles was able to provide clothing and recreational equipment for over 1000 children in Africa.

Visually Impaired Children

The Children’s Educational Foundation provides educational equipment to The School for Visually Impaired Children in Windhoek, Namibia. Namibia is a small nation in the Southwest of Africa with very limited resources for its programs in special education. The educational and health workers with the Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia learned of the activities of the Children’s Educational Foundation and requested help in obtaining a variety of educational tools for its new school for the visually impaired. At the direction of the teachers of the school, the Foundation provided devices for teaching and writing Braille, optical and video magnifiers, talking calculators, and talking watches for the children of the school. During two visits to the School over the past two years, Megan Colvard has conferred with the schools teachers to identify and prioritize the school’s needs. Equipment has been purchased for the School from organizations providing services to the blind located in South Africa . The Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of this outstanding facility.

Megan with some of the students at the
School for Visually Impaired Children in Windhoek, Namibia.

The Foundation provides special educational equipment
for the visually impaired students.

The children at the School for the Visually Impaired develop a sense of community, learning to help and support one another. A child, who can see a little, is seen guiding those who see less well to classes.

Disabled Children

The Children’s Educational Foundation provides support for schools for disabled children in both Namibia and Zambia. The Cheshire Home for Disabled Children in Katima, Namibia, and the St. Muluba School for Disabled Children in southern Zambia are facilities that offer extended care and education to severely handicapped children from these two poor nations. After visiting these facilities, Megan began collecting new clothing and athletic equipment for every child at each school. At the Cheshire Home physical therapy equipment was badly needed for children with contractures. This equipment is in the process of being ordered and should be soon delivered.

Sister Marilyn and Megan with the children at the St. Muluba School
for Disabled Children. The School received athletic equipment for the
students and all the children received new clothing during the recent visit.