•    educate their community about HIV/Aids

•  set up and support projects that help those suffering from HIV/Aids in their township community of Refilwe.

The Diamond Choir were asked to list their hopes and aspirations in order that the UK choirs could understand what they were being asked to support, and to help the Diamond Choir achieve what it wants.

    Hopes and Aspirations of the Diamond Choir

• Building a hospice for HIV/AIDS patients

• Establishment of gardens within the hospice yard (planting of vegetables to feed the patients) so that we can limit buying everything  from the markets.

•  We wish to continue helping the organisations (projects) we have already sponsored, with the exception of the schools.

•  We wish to add to our sponsorship a home for HIV/AIDS orphans - ‘Refilwe Orphan and Vulnerable Children '(ROC)

•  We would like to have some transport  for visiting projects.

•  We would like to continue educating school  children and adults about HIV/AIDS through workshops.

•  We would like to continue doing concerts locally to generate money for the immediate needs of the choir (eg transport and buying  of our uniform) and more of course to support the hospice and other identified projects

TSEPONG DAY CARE CENTRE for people with cognitive and physical disabilities.  It was started in 1996 and caters for 45 children.

MASABAMBANI HOME-BASED CARE started in 2001.  Volunteer Community Health Workers have a case load of 10 patients to visit daily. They provide care to people who are housebound due to HIV/AIDS.  They work in conjunction with the Department of Health providing physical, spiritual and emotional support. Those who receive care are identified by the government clinic who refer patients to the project.  

REFILWE AGRICULTURAL PROJECT, providing low cost food for people in need in the community and training in agriculture and animal husbandry.

A HOSPICE IN REFILWE

At present the only hospice care (St Joseph’s) is 45 minutes drive away,  There are only beds for 16 adult and 4 children. In the long term, the Diamonds are keen to explore the possibility of building a hospice in Refilwe.

Experiencing the reality of life for our friends in South Africa affected all the UK choir members very deeply.  All came back determined to sustain and develop the relationship with the Diamond Choir in order to support them in their aim to: