Friends of TASO

12/13/2019

To all of our lovely supporters - it is bittersweet to announce that Friends of TASO is closing its doors. We still have great passion for supporting youth affected by HIV/AIDS, but as an all-volunteer organization, our day jobs and (growing) families have taken over the time we had available for Friends of TASO. We thank each and every one of you for your support, and encourage you all to continue to support TASO directly.

Email  Print  Donate to TASO Thank you for donating to stop AIDS today Your support means so much to so many. TASO is a non-for-profit community based organization formed to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through education and awareness and to provide support services to those living with HIV. TAS...

07/11/2019

Thanks to everybody who donated to our fundraising drive. We've raised $1950 out of $2740, so we have less than $800 to go! If you haven't already donated, consider helping us reach our goal by the end of this month. All funds will be going directly to Uganda to help vulnerable teens go to trade school and start up their own businesses. https://www.gofundme.com/friends-of-taso-annual-giving-drive

(Note: The total on the GoFundMe page doesn't reflect the true total mentioned above, given that it is one of several fundraising sites we used during this campaign.)

12/02/2018

On this World AIDS Day, we remember all those who have courageously fought this disease, and those still fighting it today.

In their honor, we just launched a new program with TASO to support vocational school for older teens whose parents have been affected by, or passed away from, HIV/AIDS. These older youth, who often have to become the breadwinners for the family, will be able to learn a skill and quickly begin earning an income. Stay tuned for more updates!

12/01/2016

Today, on World AIDS Day, our thoughts are with not only those who suffer from or have died from HIV/AIDS, but also with their children. During the 30 years of the global HIV epidemic, an estimated 17 million children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS. These children, in the midst of a heartbreaking loss of their parent(s), are forced to find a way to support themselves and their brothers and sisters and carry on.

Friends of TASO offers hope to children in Uganda who are left in this situation, by providing vocational training to teenage youth who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. These youth, after completing a short course in a trade of their choice, are given capital to start up their own businesses or join an existing business in their community.

The picture below is of Mbalayo Pascal, who, after completing a motor vehicle mechanics course, was offered a job at a local mechanic shop. He has been able to support his younger brothers and sisters with his earnings and afford basic necessities for them. It's meant the world to him to be able to do that and has changed their lives.

Please consider donating to Friends of TASO today to help us continue this important work. We have very small overhead costs, allowing us to ensure that 94% of all donated funds go directly to Uganda to support these youth. Thank you for your support! https://secure.piryx.com/donate/EVVv0ioH/Friends-of-TASO/

12/12/2014

We're not asking you to give because it's , or World AIDS Day, or any other special day. We're asking for you to give this holiday season because our programs help people (a LOT), and we want you to be part of that. Just ask Peter (pictured below), who didn't have enough money to attend school and was unemployed when our program found him. After being trained as a motor vehicle mechanic through our Youth Apprenticeship program, he now has a full-time job as a car mechanic and has made enough money to build a house for himself and his family. He said that this experience "changed the course of my life".

Help us change more lives, by donating whatever you can today. http://friendsoftaso.org/give/

07/18/2014

We are deeply saddened by the loss of over 100 leading HIV/AIDS experts killed in the recent Malaysia Airlines crash. We stand with the international AIDS community in mourning the victims of this tragedy, and send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10975275/Leading-HIV-researchers-lost-as-flight-MH17-is-downed-in-Ukraine.html?fb

International Aids research community in mourning at the loss of 108 delegates flying on MH17 to a conference in Australia

12/01/2013

Today we acknowledge World AIDS Day 2013. Take a moment to watch this video from UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. "We must join our hearts and our voices. The end of AIDS is within our power. If we stay true to our vision, we will remember this as the day our plan began to transform into reality."

11/20/2013

Want to know what Friends of TASO has been doing this year to support youth? Read here about Peter, who is one of the first youth enrolled in Friends of TASO's apprenticeship program. Thanks to this program, Peter- who had lost his father 17 years ago and who had not been able to attend school due to insufficient funds- received support to attend a 5-month training in motor vehicle mechanics. He has since become a supervisor at a local garage, and plans to start his own garage with the startup capital he will receive through the apprenticeship program. http://friendsoftaso.org/inspiration/children/peter

Inspired by Peter's story? Donate at www.friendsoftaso.org/give, so that we can help more youth with opportunities to empower themselves and create sustainable livelihoods.

12/01/2012

Today, Friends of TASO and other organizations worldwide observe World AIDS Day. The theme—“Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation”— highlights the promise of new research and prevention efforts that help stop the spread of HIV. Learn more about "getting to zero" at unaids.org.

UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

11/26/2012

Join Friends of TASO at the InterNations DC Charity Happy Hour this Wednesday from 6-9pm at Eden!

Attend our expat event at Eden, find friends in our Washington, D.C. Community and join the InterNations network for free.

11/11/2012

TASO welcomes the return of Dr. Christine Nabiryo as the organization's new Executive Director. Read about her vision and hopes for "scaling new heights."

As Uganda celebrated 50 years of independence, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) also marked 25 years of people infected by HIV.