DUBAI, UAE - Dubai World, deeply committed to humanitarian campaigns and social welfare activities, announced that it will sponsor a gala event to be hosted by Kids with HIV Foundation, the Cape Town-based charitable organisation, to raise funds for HIV-affected children in South Africa.
Through supporting the event, Dubai World, the global holding group, aims to highlight the urgent need for bigger corporate and social response to the alarming AIDS health crisis, which is particularly threatening the African continent.
Exciting and exclusive items have been lined up for auction, many of which are created specifically for this event, some of which are limited editions and some custom-designed. Among the auction items are a 23.96 carat black diamond - the Madiba Diamond - the only one of its kind in the world, framed limited edition artworks and sculptures, three villages situated in the exclusive 'Go Polo' estate in Dullstroom, each of which is accompanied by a customised Rolls Royce Phantom, prime residential property in Johannesburg and the Western Cape, a stunning dragonfly collier - the overall winning jewellery design in the Anglo Gold Riches of Africa 2003 Design Competition for Manufacturing Jewellers, and a signature couture gown by leading fashion icon, Jenni Button.
H.E Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, said:
'Helping to raise funds for HIV-affected children and their rehabilitation is a highly noble humanitarian act. Dubai World is happy to support this initiative. Operating across the world through our various companies, we are witness to what AIDS is doing to communities in some countries. Dubai World considers it as a moral as well as corporate duty to support activities aimed at helping these communities. The Kids with HIV Foundation initiative is all the more important because it relates to children affected by this deadly disease. Dubai World congratulates the organisation for this campaign. The auction is very unique in its nature and we wish it the very best.'
Dr Lesley Szabo, Chief Executive Officer of Kids with HIV Foundation, said: 'We are immensely grateful to Dubai World, who paved the way for us to hold this auction in Dubai. The funds raised at this auction will be used by the Foundation to support our existing projects not only in the Western Cape but on a national basis in South Africa. A number of large projects have been earmarked where expansion or much needed refurbishment to existing infrastructure needs to take place. Kids with HIV supports several centres in and around the sprawling township of Khayelitsha, near Cape Town, as well as numerous child-headed households.
The exclusive auction items will not only provide crucial support to very needy children in South Africa but also a lasting memory of a spectacular gala event.
The event aims to raise fund for various activities designed to support and assist children affected by HIV/AIDS, such as providing effective education and training for community based counsellors and care-givers, securing appropriate accommodation and day-to-day care for children orphaned or abandoned as a direct result of HIV/AIDS, and providing medicines and basic provisions such as cleaning materials, clothing, blankets, towels and toiletries.
