Cedar Rapids Mother Asks For Community Support for AIDS Orphans

Media Release


What does an Iowan mother of three have in common with an orphan in Zimbabwe?  Hope.

AIDS has ravaged Zimbabwe for the last generation.  The average life expectancy is below 50 years.  Nearly 10 percent of the population is comprised of orphaned children.  Some 50,000 teenagers are raising their younger siblings because their parents have died and there is nowhere to go.  Jobs are scarce.  People live in garbage dumps so they can scavenge for food and items to sell on the street.  Conditions are dismal.

Yet people still have hope for a better life.  And this is what has taken Kim Holzer of Cedar Rapids to Africa.  She participated in August 2013 with a relief effort led by Eyes4Zimbabwe, a small private charity that provides medical and dental care to the rural poor. Kim witnessed first hand what needs exist and what even a few people can do to help.
 “We taught classes at a youth camp for teenagers, whose families were so grateful for the school supplies, food, and bedding they received from us.  It was wonderful,” said Holzer.

A chance has come to take a shipment of donated goods back to Zimbabwe, and Kim is asking the people of eastern Iowa to help. 
“We have until the end of September to fill a semi truck with goods that will be driven to Salt Lake City, Utah,” Holzer explained. 
From there, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will cover the cost to ship the cargo to Zimbabwe for distribution by Eyes4Zimbabwe. 

 “My Church regularly partners with public and private charities around the world to provide humanitarian relief,” said Holzer.  “It’s just one way we try to follow Jesus Christ,” she added.  

Almost anything can be used by the people Holzer’s group serves, and so she is asking Iowans to donate new and gently used clothing, diapers, strollers, toys, clean sheets and blankets, first air kits, dental hygiene items, other personal hygiene items, basic school supplies, baby food and other non-perishable foods (with clearly marked expiration dates). 

Both children and adult items are needed. 

Donations may be taken to the Church at 4150 Blue Jay Drive, NE, Cedar Rapids, on September 18th (7 – 9 pm), 21st (10am - 4pm), 25th (7 – 9 pm), and 28th (10am - 4 pm).  A local trucking company is donating transportation to Utah.  Holzer noted, “I will be going with the truck to organize other volunteers in packing the cargo containers that will be shipped to Zimbabwe. The donations will arrive by Christmas.”  

For more information on how you can support this cause before the end of September, email Kim Holzer at kimberlee140@yahoo.com or visit her Facebook group page Iowa4Zimbabwe.