Salvation Army responds to announcement of Prince Harry's charity for Lesotho Aids orphans
Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women’s Ministries, issued the following letter to the media following the announcement that the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry – second son of the Prince of Wales, and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II – was launching a charity to help children in Lesotho orphaned by Aids, together with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso.
‘I was intensely moved to see the BBC report showing Prince Harry of the United Kingdom and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho founding a charity in Africa for children orphaned by HIV/Aids. I for one - and The Salvation Army, whose worldwide ministry among children and families I lead - applaud both princes' move into caring, philanthropic aid and take this opportunity to affirm young people taking the initiative to make a difference in the world.
‘Now, I want to give Prince Harry a challenge, given some of the adverse publicity he has recently had. Who does he want to be? A compassionate idealist, helping women and children in dire need? Or one of the thousands of young men who carelessly and unthinkingly participate in clubs and activities that exploit and misuse the women of the world?
‘Both princes have a great opportunity, given their profile, their influence and their natural giftedness for coming alongside people, for being the kind of role-models much needed by this generation of young men. I know which choices I hope they will make!’
World President of Women’s Ministries
International Headquarters, The Salvation Army
> The BBC news report is at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4950966.stm
