Stephanie Nolen, an internationally acclaimed journalist, put a human face on the AIDS crisis in Africa: twenty-eight vivid stories, one for each of the million Africans living with the virus. When Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik read 28 Stories, she was outraged that each story represented one million HIV positive people. As a gift to the twelve Reach Lesotho students, Dr. Anne-Marie gave each of them a copy of 28 Stories and urged the students to make a creative response.

Reach Lesotho is developing a documentary by taking twelve of our Guelph youth to Lesotho. The ultimate goal of the documentary is to inspire Canadians to fight to end HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. This would set a global example of cooperation and perhaps spark an international response to end HIV/AIDS in a matter of years. We found the twelve students and we are now fundraising so that they can visit Lesotho, return to Canada and inspire our country. We recognize that businesses and individuals are not able to donate large sums of money in today’s economy. For that reason, we have launched 280 x 280: we want to obtain 280 donations of $280 (charitable receipts available).

When donating, we ask that you understand that each dollar that you donate represents 100,000 HIV positive people in Africa.

Local businesses that partake in this challenge will be thanked through online videos, our website, print media (such as brochures with your logo to have at your business location) as well as in the final documentary. Personal or business donors that partake in this challenge can be named or remain anonymous. All donors will receive quarterly electronic updates on our progress as a program, if they would like.

If you’re interested in donating another amount or in another method, please visit our personal donations page or unique corporate partnerships page! To take the 280 x 280 Challenge, please print the Reach Lesotho Donation Form and fill it out. When completing the form, under “B: I want to designate by donation to”, please write “C.C.V.I. Reach Lesotho Fund.” The funds donated are for the entire Reach Lesotho project but our account is being held at C.C.V.I.

Email info@reachlesotho.com to arrange a pick-up or you can mail your donation to the address below. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please also email us and we will respond promptly. Student Reach International 46 Kearney Street Guelph, Ontario N1E 7H3

For more details, questions or comments, please email us at info@reachlesotho.com!