We present to you the bulletin version we started sending since June to those who subscribed in our mailbox altorefugio.py@gmail.com.

In it we share briefly about the activities, results and the people we have reached out to within the month.

Highlights of the Month

1.World Day of Fight against AIDS

a. Participation at the Commemoration Event of the World Day of Fight Against AIDS

A team of High Refuge participated placed a stand at the Plaza de los Heroes, at PRONASIDA’s December 1st commemoration  event . The event’s objectives were to make the public know about our work and principles through pamphlets and documentary videos. Many people stopped by our stand to get to know us better and ask for informations; as well as collaborated money into our donation box.

b. United in Prayer

This same day, from 7:30pm. We had a very special moment with Praise and Worship, informative presentations and praying for requests and thanksgivings. Thirty-nine people attended, among who were pastors and visitors of several churches. We are very thankful to  God for all the support for all of those who collaborated in making this event happen.

2. ”Sweet Help” Fund-raising Campaign

Last month, we have started the Sweet Help campaign, which objectives are to promote and make High Refuge’s work and principles known to the public; to collect funds for the 2010 budget. Tuesday, December 15, was the last day for this campaign and once again we want to thank the program production “Sálvese Quien Quiera” of Channel 2, where promotion and exclusive programs were done for High Refuge. We also want to thank everyone for donating and supporting in every way. The campaign raised 206.000 Gs.

3. ”Long Live Christmas”

On Friday, December 18, and Saturday, December 19, High Refuge ministry organized together with Red Viva, an very special event for the children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, as kids in high risk situations. There were 1,320 participants in these 2 days of enjoyment, fun, gifts, snacks and a beautiful message of encouragement and hope.

4. Dining with Jesus

On December 24 we received from 6pm on about 100 people and their family affected by HIV/AIDS with a Christmas dinner and program. The event was made possible by the organization Cenando con Jesús.

Challenges for the following months

Urgent Request: Sponsors for workers in different areas.

Number Achievements (totals of December)

- Came by the Drop in Center: 1.475 people

- New patients/cases diagnosed: 16

- Assisted Mothers: 78 - Bus Fares Donated: 50

- Basic Goods donated: 523

- Totals served: Lunch1.449,  Breakfast 697, Meriendas 326

- Hospital kits donated to patients in the year 2009: 76

- Assisted mothers: 106

- Bus fares donated: 179 - Meds donated: 376

- Dentist Appointments: 77 - Supply goods donated: 625

- Total served: Lunch 1.433,  Breakfast 723, Snacks 463

- Education Talks on HIV/AIDS: 7 places, 982 participants

The month’s highlights

1. Birthday Celebrations

Dulce Refugio/Sweet Refuge celebrated the August to December birthdays of all our kids living with HIV/AIDS. There were 55 children among which 23 received a gift for their birthdays. The group “YoungLife”lead the children with games, fun activities and a Christian message.

2. Fund-raising campaign for “Dulce ayuda/Sweet Help”

This month we are raising funds in favor of Life and Family living with HIV/AIDS in Paraguay, which we called “Sweet Help”. Our objectives were to promote and make our work and principles at High Refuge known to the public. At the same time we collected funds and provisions for the Drop In Center for the year 2010.

The most important promotion of this campaign we owe to Channel 2 Red Guarani’s television program called  “Sálvese quién quiera”. We thank the production and the Mas que vencedores Church for their support. We have been aired thorough different radio stations: OBEDIRA, Rock & Pop and Radio Mensajero in the Department of Caaguazu.

The campaign will be extended to December 15. See our donation list of priorities at www.altorefugio.org

Challenges for the following months

Urgent Requests: Sponsors for workers in different areas.

Dining with Jesus – Christmas Dinner: to be held on December 24 for all the families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thank you! We have recently acquired a Notebook for the Education department. We are very grateful to God and all the people who made this purchase posible through their donations.

Number Achievements (the Month’s Totals)

- Came by the Drop in Center: 1.529 people

- New patients/cases diagnosed: 38

- Assisted mothers: 106

- Bus fares donated: 179

- Meds donated: 376

- Dentist Appointments: 77

- Supply goods donated: 625

- Total served: Lunch 1.433,  Breakfast 723, Snacks 463

- Education Talks on HIV/AIDS: 7 places, 982 participants

Thank you to all who have contributed in any way to this work. Your support makes it possible for us to make a difference in the lives and families of those affected by HIV/AID!

1. Anniversary Celebration

We celebrated our 6 years of life with the volunteers and board members of Alto Refugio (High Refuge). We reminisced the beginnings of our organization and the growth we are experiencing in these years, emphasizing the initiation and development of Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge) as a program assisting children living with HIV/AIDS in Paraguay.

2. Preparations for the Fund-raising Campaign

We are now planning for the Fund-raising campaign in favor of Life and Family who live with HIV/AIDS in Paraguay. This event’s objectives are:

1.     Promote and make our work at Alto Refugio and our principles known.

2.     Raise funds and collect goods for our Drop-in center in Alto Refugio and Dulce Refugio for the year 2010.

We invite you to join us and bring your donations to our house the whole month of November up to December 15, or depositing into our account N°  15-537040-07 of Banco Continental or the account N°  50740-17 of Coop. Fernheim Ltda.

Number Achievements (Total of the month)

Came by the drop in center: 1529 people

New cases who joined High Refuge: 32

Assisted mothers: 95

Bus fare donated: 179

People who received donated meds: 376

Dentist appointments: 77

Basic goods donated: 586

Total served: Lunch 824, Breakfast 640, Snacks 255

Educational talks on HIV/AIDS: 4 sites, 400 people attended

Challenges for the months to come:

1.     Urgent needs: meds and/or med samples for Opportunistic Diseases, med samples for the dentist clinic, a big screen television for the kid’s room.

2.     Fund-raising Campaign and celebration of the World Day of AIDS (Dec.1) for the whole months of November and December.

3.     See our list of priorities and goals in “especies” for 2009 campaign, found in our donation link of our website www.altorefugio.org.