ShawneeDispatch.com

It's been a year since Schaun Colin's dream to build a home for AIDS-orphaned children in his native South Africa came true.

The Oceans of Mercy Children's Village near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, currently has 13 orphaned children being cared for by three full-time employees and three full-time volunteers. In Colin's tradition of pushing for more, he's already got plans for a community center, AIDS/HIV support groups, a food kitchen and a child sponsorship program.

Colin officially established Oceans of Mercy in 2002 as a non-profit organization to help his native country survive the AIDS crisis. This weekend, the "Run for Mercy" event at Mill Valley High School will help raise money for the organization.

According to the CIA World Fact Book, the AIDS virus largely affects the population in South Africa. The infant mortality rate is 60 among every 1,000 births and average life expectancy is about 42 years. In 2003, there were about 5.3 million people living with AIDS in South Africa, about 21 percent of the population. Because of the AIDS crisis, Colin said, many of the children are left without parents, families or a means of income. He said two million could become orphans by 2010.

Two of the children at the village are already HIV positive. Colin said one of the workers also has AIDS.

"We're able to make sure they get all the medical support they need," he said. "Those that are old enough are in an accelerated education program to get them up to speed with the schools," he said.

Last month, Colin and 19 others including Mill Valley and Shawnee Mission North students visited the village. They helped operate a Vacation Bible School, which they expected to draw 150 kids but instead drew 500.

"We spent some time visiting with AIDS patients," Colin said. "It's important to meet them and learn about the disease."

One child was even adopted this year by a family in Arkansas. Colin said some children are able to go back into the community to live with extended family. Oceans of Mercy is also now operating a child sponsorship program, in which American families can sponsor a South African child for $32 a month. None of the sponsored children are staying at the village, Colin said, but they are impacted by the village.

Never one to take a break from his fund-raising efforts --he village itself costs about $4,000 a month to run -- Colin has big plans for a community center that will help the 260 children abandoned each month in South Africa. He said the community center would also have skills and job training. Colin estimates it will cost $100,000 to build the "Door of Hope."

"It's a place where children can be abandoned safely," he said. "A lot of kids are left in dumpsters on the street."

With all the support from Shawnee residents, the "Run for Mercy" event typically attracts hundreds to run or walk. Last year's event attracted almost 1,000 participants.

This year, there will be a children's race, a 5K walk/run and a 10K walk/run. Registration will be from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and the kids' race will begin at 9:30. Cost is $18 for adults and $10 for the first child in the family under age 16 and no cost for additional children. All events are at Mill Valley High School, 5900 Monticello Rd.

For more information, visit Oceans of Mercy at www.oceansofmercy.com.