Hoops of Hope: Shooting for the Stars

In the spring of 2004, Austin Gutwein saw a video about orphaned children who had lost their parents to AIDS. After watching the video, The nine-year-old knew these kids weren’t any different from him except in magnitude of suffering.

Austin felt God calling him to do something to help them. He decided to shoot free throws and on World AIDS Day, 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Friends and family sponsored Austin and he was able to raise almost $3,000. That year, the money was used by World Vision to provide hope to 8 orphan children. Source.

That event was the beginning of Hoops of Hope, the world’s largest free-throw marathon. Shooting basket balls, participants raise awareness and funds for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. All funds raised by the event go directly to care for kids in highly affected areas.

Touching Tiny Lives

Touching Tiny Lives Foundation devotes its efforts to helping children and familes deal with the challenges facing HIV/AIDS in rural Lesotho.  The malnourished, critically ill, and orphaned babies receive care provided by local staff and international volunteers.  The foundation offers outreach health and nutritional services plus aid to children, pregnant women, and their caregivers.


In 2010, more than 1,500 visits were made to the homes of children with staff attending to nutritional and medical needs.  Touching Tiny Lives also provides training to caregivers.

If you'd like to help, visit their website and find out more.