SOWETO is home to many of South Africa's 1.4 million AIDS orphans.

Many hundreds of thousands of rural South Africans moved to Johannesburg to work on the gold mines. They were forced to reside in townships, one of which became Soweto - (SOuth WEstern TOwnship).

The township came to the world's attention in 1976 when police opened fire on demonstrating school children. 556 people, including children, were killed.

Today, it is estimated that nearly two million people, mostly black, live there. Poverty combined with HIV AIDS, means it is also home to many of South Africa's child-headed families and AIDS Orphans.

It is a melting pot of all of South Africa's black cultures which has created a vibrant artistic community.

Among the best known is the Soweto Gospel Choir whose truly beautiful voices have been heard on many international stages.

Nelson Mandela lived here before being jailed for 23 years in 1961. You can visit his house and many other homes of anit- apartheid activists on various tours of the township.

In recent years there has also been a massive influx of people who are unemployed and live in 'shanty' town dwellings made of anything from corrugated iron to cardboard. They are very hot in summer and freezing cold in winter.

Recent statistics show that one in five adults in South Africa is affected by HIV AIDS. In these shanty towns, the average is much higher. Children are often orphaned because of it and left to look after their siblings.

Among the many children's charities that work to alleviate the suffering of the abandoned children and AIDS orphans are Hotel Hope, an orphanage for HIV AIDS affected children and Soweto Comfort Club , who, apart from their other work, will be co-ordinating the collection and joining of the knitted squares to make blankets for the children.

Please click here to join the world's knitters in sending knitted squares to SOWETO to make these blankets.

One 8" x 8" square using scrap wool will cost you only the postage of a normal overseas letter and take you just a bit more than an hour.