Jewelers for Children and De Beers have launched a $600,000 joint project to set up a child-care center in Galeshewe, one of the largest urban settings in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

The two organizations noted that Galeshewe, a former black-majority township, has high levels of unemployment, fragile community networks, and a high incidence of AIDS. The program will provide for children affected or orphaned by AIDS, the organizations said.

“Jewelers for Children is proud to be partnering with De Beers on such a worthwhile project to help children who are in such need,” said Laurence Grunstein, chairman of the JFC board.