Raising money for babies in Swaziland, Africa

On Saturday, a group supporting efforts to help orphans in Swaziland, Africa, will hold a fundraising event in Cape Girardeau.

Babies in Swaziland often are discarded as they are born into poverty, typically from teens who exchange sex for food.

The event, in its fifth year, is called Celebrate HOPE, and it is held at The Venue at 80 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau. The name of the Christian-based organization is Heart for Africa, and Cape Girardeau is one of the central locations in the United States for the movement to help children in Swaziland. Heart for Africa's annual worldwide budget is $2.5 million. Cape Girardeau events have provided more than $300,000 in the last four years. Organizers expect about 400 people at Saturday's event to meet a $100,000 goal.

Funds raised so far have helped build an orphanage where 52 newborns and toddlers are taken care of on a 2,500-acre farm that was bought for $1 million by an anonymous donor in 2008. Two hundred Swazis are employed there with 15 volunteers.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. Saturday, and the event will start at 7 p.m. The event will include dinner, oral and silent auctions, music by the Shades of Soul band and a raffle for an all-expense-paid trip to Swaziland. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $50 by emailing lisa@heartforafrica.org.

The children in Swaziland are suffering. Without help, they have no hope. Consider joining the cause, while enjoying a night out with good, generous people. God bless everyone involved.