Ethembeni is a Xhosa word that means "Place of Hope". The Salvation Army's home and hospital located in Johannesburg, South Africa cares for 60 babies and toddlers who have been either abandoned or orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. As of 2005 there were 1.2 million orphans in South Africa and because of the epidemic the number is devastatingly increasing. By 2010, it is predicted that there will be around 15.7 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ethembeni was opened in November 1995. Initially intended for AIDS orphans, over the years it has accommodated orphans regardless of their HIV status. Children range from one day old to three years. They are found in black bags, dustbins, garbage dumps, cemetaries, taxi ranks and many other places. However, the moment when they enter the doors of this Salvation Army Home, they are cared for with tremendous love and warmth.

The home employs social workers, administration clerks, cleaners, laundry workers and workers to look after the babies, night and day. Medical school and high school students also volunteer to play, feed, and wash the children

Some children are adopted by South African families and international adoptions occur to Holland and Finland. Other children are returned to extended family members and, sadly, some children pass away, remembered by a quilt square displayed in Ethembeni's lobby. Ethembeni seeks alternative placement for children either through adoption or transfer to another children's home.

Ethembeni's objectives are as follows:

• Have children adopted/fostered into a loving family environment as early as possible
• Provide accommodation, clothing, food and shelter
• Provide medical care for the children
• Provide mental and emotional stimulation in an educational environment
• Nurture the spiritual well being of the children
• Provide love and affection, which is essential to a child's development of positive self-esteem
• Facilitate the smooth transfer of three-year old children to more age-appropriate homes.

The proceeds from the sale of Marked by Love's "Things Thought Impossible" CD are directed to supporting The Salvation Army's Ethembeni ministry in South Africa. It truly is a place of hope.

Erin working at Ethembeni in 2005