The Underberg Calendar Girls Facebook Page

As one of the leading community project facilitators and supporters in South Africa, the Uthando Foundation strives to “raise moral and financial support for children who are infected or affected by the HIV / AIDS crisis in South Africa.”

Through their relentless efforts to bring happiness and health care to local South African communities, the Uthando Foundation is working hard to provide children with basic necessities, such as food, medication, moral support, education, shelter, and more. As of the beginning of January, 2010, Uthando has delivered to all of its projects for its second, full year in business. With a handful of new projects lined up for the year, Uthando is seeing great strides in their efforts and has a positive outlook for the future.

The Underberg Calendar Girls Facebook Page

One of the newest—and allegedly controversial—projects this year is The Underberg Calendar Girls. The discreet and humorous calendar is comprised of nude photos of a group of mothers in the small South African town, Underberg, who are taking their clothes off to help raise money to heat the local school pool. Because the pool is usually cold throughout the year, children usually don’t use it for athletic purposes or even for play.

Looking to brush the dust off the pool, the mothers of Underberg are hoping to raise money for their non-profit calendar, but not without some scolding from local conservatives who are accusing them of “promoting sex and immoral acts.”

We wish them luck and hope that their brave efforts and hard work pays off!

Visit their Facebook group, The Underberg Calendar Girls, to view some of their photos and join the conversation.

• Re-building and lending emotional and financial support to the Agape Orphanage in KwaZulu-Natal. Uthando personnel frequently visit the orphanage to lend emotional support to the children and listen to their concerns and feelings. Uthando’s rebuilding efforts are in response to the January, 2005, orphanage fire. The Foundation has been working diligently to raise money, awareness, and volunteers to help in the re-building process. Recently, the Foundation sent ten Agape children to Holland to generate publicity for the orphanage and raise as much money as possible. The trip was a great success, raising $37,000 in donations. The combination of the Holland trip donations and past donations is enough to re-build the Agape Orphanage!
• Participating in the Bobbie Bear Project. This project is dedicated to lending support and therapy to children affected by rape. Sexually abused children, as well as women, have a place to go for therapy, information, and emotional support.
• The Education Fund opens the door for a better future for the children living in poverty. This project provides children in need with an education that allows them to survive in the world, and have the opportunity to grow in life.