In 1984 Rainer Jarchow had his first encounter with an HIV infected person. “I saw how people were isolated and discriminated against by those who should actually be close to them. I experienced their despair. And I learned to fight for them unconditionally.” In 1987 Jarchow established the first foundation for AIDS sufferers. 

However, the activities of the AIDS Foundation encompass a whole lot more. It funds aid projects for AIDS sufferers in Germany and throughout the world. It fights against prejudice, for acceptance and an improved social climate for people with HIV/AIDS. It informs, educates and lobbies, often in conjunction with other organisations, and with the main objective from its mission statement constantly in mind: “The German AIDS Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of people with HIV and AIDS.” 

Fast, unbureaucratic support for AIDS sufferers (so-called “individual help“) is one of the most important tasks performed by the AIDS Foundation. People infected with HIV will generally suffer financial hardship – and it is often small things that are a great help. The Foundation has already received around 72,000 applications for assistance from those affected by HIV/AIDS and has supported them with more than 36 million euros.

Apart from financial difficulties, AIDS sufferers are often victims of social isolation. Thanks to grants from the AIDS Foundation various AIDS information centres have been able to create “safe havens“ such as breakfast clubs, cafes or recreation centres. The Foundation also finances holidays for HIV/AIDS sufferers to help them recover from the stresses of everyday life. Every year the AIDS Foundation supports over 120 aid projects in Germany with many 100,000 euros and helps to make life easier for those who are sick.

Worldwide, there are over 33 million people with HIV and about 2,7 million new cases each year. More than 93 per cent of those affected live in developing countries and do not have any access to doctors, medication or care. The flashpoint of the epidemic is in southern Africa. Due to the deaths of so many adults, traditional family structures are breaking down, leaving behind grandparents and orphans.

In view of the millions of cases of suffering worldwide, the German AIDS Foundation has also been active overseas since 2000. It is concentrating on exemplary projects in regions that are particularly badly affected - it is supporting AIDS orphans in South Africa, for example, helping infected single mothers and their children, ensuring that HIV infected families are being supplied with medication and it is educating young people about protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS. The German AIDS Foundation is currently making up to many 100,000 euros available each year for these international aid projects, thus giving hope and the chance of a better future.