Seattle, Washington, USA - Members of the Seattle community will join the African Americans Reach & Teach Ministry on Saturday, January 8th, 2005 at 6:00pm to raise funds for the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe, southern Africa. The event, to be held at 7728 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118, is free and open to the public will feature live music by Seattle's Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, Zimbabwean food and guest speaker, Jean Cornneck.

"This will be an evening of sharing and celebration of life by helping children conquer AIDS and we are thrilled that Mama Jean was able to come to Seattle during her travels in the USA" said Mary Hobson-Diggs, AARTH's executive director. "We invite everyone to come and join us", she continued.

Ms. Jean Cornneck (affectionately known as "Mama Jean"), Founder and Head of Mother of Peace Community (MOPC) orphanage was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She is a qualified nurse in general nursing, mid-wifery and psychiatry. She began her pioneering efforts to care for orphaned children as a direct response to the catastrophic AIDS pandemic facing Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa soon after her retirement from public service in Zimbabwe. Ms. Cornneck is now the only remaining of the five pioneers who started the Mother of Peace Community in 1994.

"The collapse of the Zimbabwean economy has placed the orphanage in desperate need of financial support. As we end this season of giving, we know that the generosity of the people of Seattle will come through to help make a difference in the lives of kids in Zimbabwe" said Peter Masundire, a native of Zimbabwe but now residing in Seattle and one of the event organizers. "In Sub-Sahara Africa, 30 million people are infected with the AIDS virus this equates to more than three times the population of New York City plus all the people in greater Seattle from Everett to Olympia", he added.

Mother of Peace Community orphanage strives for self-sufficiency and has become a refuge and haven in the midst of blight. The Community builds basic homes, each accommodating two care givers for 10-15 children. At any given time MOPC gives shelter to approximately 250 children; about one third are school age and the remainder babies and toddlers. Those who attend school have their fees, books and uniforms paid for by MOPC. In addition MOPC is a developer through farm produce, agronomy and animal husbandry. Residents of the adjacent rural communities benefit from MOPC's farming, building activities, health clinic/care, employment, food, and clothing resources. MOPC depends upon the generous donations provided by individuals and corporations.

AARTH is a faith-based nonprofit organization established to respond to HIV/AIDS and other major health issues affecting people of African descent through education, compassionate service, access to resources and self-advocacy for better health care systems. AARTH provides HIV instructor certification, prevention and early intervention education and training services for churches/mosques and faith-based institutions that serve people of African descent.

AARTH Ministry is receiving donations on behalf of MOPC and may be mailed to 7728 Rainier Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98118 or contact (206) 850-2070 or aarthministry@yahoo.com.