9 May 2005

The Starfish Greathearts Foundation is challenging South Africans - along with individuals from around the world - to host a dinner in their own homes to raise funds for children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/Aids.

Over 13 000 people from 17 countries took part in the Starfish Dinners of Hope in 2004, raising over R800 000.

This enabled Starfish to give nearly 2 000 children nutritional, primary care giver and educational support in the communities of Alexandra (Gauteng), Kwa-Ncgolozi (KwaZulu-Natal), Grassroots (Mpumulanga) and the rural area served by Gcinosapho Outreach (Valley of a Thousand Hills, KwaZulu-Natal).

According to Starfish's Lucille Onofri, the charity aims to raise R1-million by December.

"This is your event", Starfish says on its website. "Host a dinner at your home, book a restaurant, have a picnic, throw a party. Invite two people or two hundred. Where and how you dine is up to you.

"Encourage your guests to make a contribution, and the money you raise will help to secure the future of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa."

For more information, visit Starfish Dinners of Hope.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

	Starfish Dinners of Hope

Caring Nation We're not done travelling towards a better South Africa! To help you help us all get there, the IMC is building up a database of charities for those willing to give some of their time, money or goods.