History
In the spring of 2004, I watched a video that showed children who had lost their parents to a disease called AIDS. After watching the video, I realized these kids weren’t any different from me except they were suffering. I felt God calling me to do something to help them. I decided to shoot free throws and on World AIDS Day, 2004, I shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during my day at school. People sponsored me and we were able to raise almost $3,000. That year, the money was used by World Vision to provide hope to 8 orphan children.
From that year forward, thousands of people have joined me in a basketball shoot-a-thon called Hoops of Hope. By doing something as simple as shooting free throws, Hoops of Hope participants have raised over $450,000. The children left behind by AIDS now have access to food, clothing, shelter, a new school and finally, a medical testing facility.
Last year, our goal was to raise $150,000 to build a medical testing lab in Sinazongwe, Zambia. This lab will enable medical staff to test parents for HIV/AIDS prior to administering medication for the disease. The medication will allow parents suffering from HIV/AIDS to prolong their life and keep their children from becoming among the 15 million children already orphaned by this disease.
Not only did Hoops of Hope participants raise enough money to fund the building of the lab, they also supplied the lab with 1,000 medical caregiver kits. This will allow those caring for HIV/AIDS infected moms and dads to have the basic supplies they need. We also were able to furnish the Johnathan Sim Legacy School built with funds from our 2006 Hoops of Hope events.
In 2008, we would like to build a second medical lab in Twatchiyanda, Zambia (also the site of the 2006 Johnathan Sim Legacy School), provide caregiver kits and provide bicycles for caregivers to ride. The lab combined with caregiver kits and bicycles will help to keep parents healthier and alive longer so they can provide for their children.
I hope you'll join us by participating or sponsoring a participant. It's an awesome event that will leave an impact not only on the lives of the kids we're helping, but on yours as well.
In Him,
Austin
