lesbians open trust fund for aids orphans

By Musa Ngubane (BTM Reporter)

July 7, 2006: When she died early this year of Aids related ailments Buhle Msibi cautioned that there should be a trust fund to take care of Aids orphaned kids. Recently on 26 June Msibi’s wishes were honoured when a Trust Fund was launched with the same intentions she emphasized on.

Combined with Msibi’s memorial service that could have taken place before her burial early this year, the launch is being handled by Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW).

As a mother of eight-year old son, Msibi had always recoiled from the fact that her son would someday face poverty looking at the family financial background.

After the demise of this Aids activist many lesbians in Gauteng started disclosing their HIV status and joined the combat against Aids.

As a homage to Msibi, FEW wills to generate more money into the trust so that it becomes sustainable in many ways. “The Trust will not be financed from FEW’s finances. It is its own entity and separate funding will be secured for it”, said the Chief Executive Officer of FEW, Donna Smith.

FEW, however, doesn’t see the trust as intended for Msibi’s son alone, but it stretches hand to benefit all children who lose their lesbian mothers either through the Aids pandemic or any other death.

“The trust is such a relief as I will know that my children will be taken care of. I will also start now to contribute what ever little I have”, said Joyce Malope who is an HIV activist and a lesbian mother.

During the launch, a film Raped for who I am – where Msibi talks about her struggles as a lesbian living with Aids, was screened.

The family of the deceased Msibi appreciated the day and got to realize what their daughter was capable of, especially the many lives that she touched while still alive.