BACKGROUND Father Stan Brennan OFM, a Franciscan priest, founded St Francis Care Centre in 1992 after he was deeply affected by the neglect and ostracisation of people affected or infected with HIV/AIDS whilst visiting homes and hospitals in the 1980's.  Many were neglected by their families and friends and were dying alone and destitute.  A haven was founded where these people could be cared for with love, warmth and compassion.   OUR MISSION St Francis Care Centre provides a sanctuary for the terminally ill where they will be nursed in a professional and comfortable environment whilst their physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs are catered for with care and dedication.   WHAT DO WE DO? The St Francis Care Centre has expanded significantly since 1992 and offers 4 programs presently.   ADULT HOSPICE The hospice can accommodate 48 terminally ill HIV/AIDS adult patients.  These patients are cared for by professional medical staff and also have the benefit of a comprehensive counseling service for themselves and their relatives.   CHILDREN'S SECTION The Rainbow Cottage for children was founded in 1996 and provides a home for 30 abandoned or orphaned children from birth to 7 years of age.  A professional team of medical staff, teachers and a social worker take care of the children to ensure their well being and the development of their full potential.  The children aged between 3-7 years attend a nursery school on the premises.   ANTI-RETROVIRAL CLINIC This clinic was opened on 1st September 2004 and offers free counseling, testing and treatment to all members of the community.  A medical doctor together with a team of professional nurses and counselors take care of patients and their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  To date more than 2000 patients have visited the clinic for counseling and testing and 748 of these have been started on anti-retroviral treatment with very encouraging results.  The anti-retroviral drugs are provided free as a result of donations received from American PEPFAR (The Presidents Emergency Plan For Aids Relief) funding.   HOME BASED CARE The centre has an active team of care helpers providing home based care to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Greater Ekurhuleni communities.  Clients currently receiving assistance include HIV/AIDS patients, orphaned children, child headed households and families affected by the pandemic.   WHAT ARE OUR NEEDS? The St Francis Care Centre is a registered Non-Profit organization and is extremely dependent on donations from the public and corporate sectors to continue rendering our services.  The majority of our patients are indigent and are not in a financial position to contribute towards their care.  We are thus in dire need of financial support to provide the best possible care to both the adults and children at our centre.  Our current needs  are as follows: Donations of food (e.g. tinned foods, vegetables, fruit, meat, sugar, etc.) Adult/Baby disposable nappies Clothing (new and/or pre owned) Toiletries Financial assistance Linen (white sheets and pillowcases) Educational equipment for Nursery School Fly screens fitted on windows and outside doors Gas heaters with cylinders Paint for dining room   Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, said, ”AIDS today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum of all wars”. At the St Francis Care Centre we are doing everything possible to not only provide care to those infected and affected but also to educate and train people in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.  The staff of St Francis is committed to providing nursing, physical, emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill as well as their families, relatives and friends.   Enquiries may be directed to the Centre Manager, Mrs. Tilly Brouwer or the Vice-Chairlady, Mrs. Heather Bullock.   Contact numbers: Telephone : ( 011)894-4151 Fax: (011)894-5773 email: themanager@stfranciscarecentre.org   Physical Address: 35 Olivia Street Eveleigh Boksburg 1459    Postal Address: PO Box 10241 Fonteinriet 1464   Donations may be deposited into: Name of bank: Standard Bank Branch name: Boksburg Account number: 220938245 Account name: St. Francis Care Centre Branch code: 011842