World Village Fair Trade Market--USA
Hampton Bays, New York--Sobornost proudly announces the grand re-opening of Long Island's first and only Fair Trade Store. After 5 years of continuous, successful operation the World Village Fair Trade Market is moving next door to a bigger location. The store carries items from over 25 developing countries, including coffee, tea, jewelry and hand-crafted goods. The producers are guaranteed a fair price for these items so they can live and support their families in dignity. The promotion of the Fair Trade Movement is one of the many ways that Sobornost provides hope and assistance to the world's poor. In addition to the array of fascinating items from around the globe, what makes the store unique is that it is staffed by volunteers.
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The Plight of AIDS Orphans
"Why are you still here? Didn't we tell you to leave yesterday? You cannot stay here. Why don't you get married? We didn't invite you. How can you come here uninvited?"
 These are some of the questions orphans are asked by their brothers, sisters and other relatives when the orphans attempt to go stay with them during school holidays. Many of the orphans have absolutely no where to go. In the traditional African society, the extended family took care of all orphans and widows. Because of the AIDS pandemic, little of the traditional African society remains. Along with the orphans' parents, many of their aunts and uncles have also died. The burden of caring for the vast majority of orphans falls on households headed by women and grandparents with the most meager of resources.
This is the plight of many of our orphans, who often suffer from poor health, trauma and psychological distress, making them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. For these young people, school is a place of learning as well as a refuge of peace, comfort, security and hope that they have not had since their parents died. Thanks to our donors, school is also a place where they can receive a nutritious meal.
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Meet Some of Our Orphans
 Meet Lillian, one of the over 400 AIDS orphans supported by Sobornost. She is now 16 years old and the youngest of six children. When her parents became sick, she was the only one home to care for them and often had to stay home from school.
Lillian has lived with four different families since her parents died. Because she is female, she could not under Kenya law inherit any of her father's land. Her uncle took ownership of the land and does not help her. When she tries to go to live with him during school holidays, he tells her to go live with her married sister. When she tries to stay with her sister, she is asked, "How can you come to visit without an invitation?"
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Early Childhood Education--Kenya
Sino-Village, Kenya--In conjunction with local residents, Sobornost provides financial support to two nursery schools serving AIDS orphans. Sobornost provided the funds to complete the construction of one of the school buildings. Later, we provided funds for the digging of wells and building of kitchens and toilets at both sites. However, a school is more than just a building. Sobornost funded the training of the teachers and continues to provide assistance for food, school supplies and necessities. A nutritious meal is served to the children daily and the children are taught age appropriate readiness and academic skills. Education is vital to all children; however, it is particularly crucial in helping our vulnerable orphans overcome extreme poverty. This past Christmas blankets were distributed to all of the orphans. With the help of our donors, we look forward to continuing to meet the basic needs of our children.
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S.O.A.R. Program--Kenya
Raganga, Kenya--In rural Kenya, Sobornost for the World Foundation provides assistance to children orphaned by AIDS. Rogers Osoro, Director of Sobornost Orphans Assistance in Raganga (SOAR) and Raganga resident, visits the children in their homes, carefully assesses their individual needs and distributes food, clothing, blankets and funds for school fees and medical expenses accordingly. Rogers, an AIDS orphan himself, serves as a mentor to the children as well and instills in them the importance of education, hard work, community service and working towards self-reliance. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the fund-raising activities of our volunteers these children will have an opportunity to become self-sufficient and productive adults.
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008 
