2019 Supporter Spotlight

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) invests in African youth’s ability to keep themselves safe from HIV/AIDS. CTAOP was created in 2007 by Charlize Theron, Academy Award winning actor and UN Messenger of Peace, with the hope of making a difference in fighting HIV in her home country of South Africa. CTAOP generously funds sexual and reproductive health education at ASYV, as well as our girls’ empowerment initiatives.

In summer 2018, we were thrilled to welcome Charlize Theron, together with the remarkable staff of CTAOP, to ASYV. Their visit was a very special experience for our kids, who will remember the day not for Charlize’s fame, but for her warmth, her honesty and openness, and her desire to connect with the community. Charlize and her team spent the day getting to know the Village and our kids, learning about the challenges girls face in Rwanda, and discussing difficult questions about gender equity. We are profoundly grateful for CTAOP’s commitment to the ASYV community and our students’ health and well-being.

To learn more about CTAOP, visit charlizeafricaoutreach.org.