Arm In Arm In Africa

In the fall of 2000, Rev. James Cassidy and Pat Murphy Minneapolis, MN with members of a small delegation made their first trip to the townships of Cape Town, South Africa to meet Rev. Spiwo Xapile from the JL Zwane Memorial Centre, a Presbyterian community. As the group witnessed the disparity in a country still recovering from apartheid while dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Arm In Arm In Africa came to be and a partnership began. Across the miles from Minnesota to help our brothers and sisters in South Africa, partnering with the JL Zwane Centre we joined arm in arm. In the ensuing years, the programs and assistance provided by AIAIA have blossomed in the country that continues to be identified as the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, , education challenges, inadequate housing and transportation all contribute to a culture with many challenges in life. While we are not called to attend to all of the challenges of our South African friends, we are there for them “bit by bit” to reach out and help where we can, arm in arm. Our work is dedicated to education, healthcare/hospice and the distribution of food in impoverished villages. Our programs expand each year to include new areas of need with our message of hope being the first gift that we hold in common with our friends in South Africa