Jabulani is a self help center and safe haven for AIDS orphans in Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Run by Sr. Marko, a Catholic nun, Jabulani sends children to school, feeds and clothes them, while the children’s grandmothers or other relatives weave, bake bread and make candles, crutches and children’s coffins to support themselves.

The Coastal Rotary Club and the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club joined forces to obtain a Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation to purchase sewing machines and woodworking tools so the clients can receive vocational training and continue to be self sufficient as the number of needy children continues to grow.

Government estimates put the number of AIDS orphans at 2 million by the year 2010.

                                      New Sewing Machine, January, 2004

                                                                                photo by Tom Cole