South Africa: HIV and AIDS
Department of Social Responsibility
AngliCORD has been working with the Diocese of Grahamstown Department of Social Responsibility (DSR) since 1999 to address HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
DSR was established in 1977 to fight the injustices of apartheid. It continues to struggle against poverty and human rights injustices to this day.
With support from AngliCORD DSR is currently working on a number of projects aimed at addressing the issue of HIV and AIDS in the region.
Located in a rural area in Amathole District, DSR provides funding and support sustainable initiatives including community gardens, soup kitchens, programs for orphans and vulnerable children and support groups for people affected by HIV.
The Go Go Getters
The go go getters are a group of grandmothers who come together at the Kai Road Combine School to tend their garden and help each other care for their grandchildren; children whose parents have died from AIDS-related illness.
With help from DSR, including the provision of seedlings and training, the grandmothers meet once a week.
The women, some of whom have lost more than one child, strive to help each other and their families as they struggle with poverty.
Couples Group
At the couples group partners receive counselling, education, and information about sexual awareness.
The group can be particularly important for women as it gives them a chance to speak frankly in a society where many women are still denied a voice.
The group addresses topics such as the role of women in the family, and gives the women in the group the opportunity to speak openly about sex and sexual issues – something which is considered taboo within their society.
An important purpose of the group is to encourage couples to undergo testing for HIV. If one or both partners is found to be HIV positive, information and education is offered on the way forward.
The Never Give Up Group
The Never Give Up Group is made up of more than 30 care givers, who look after over 300 orphaned and vulnerable children in the Eastern Cape area.
This vibrant group, located in Dimbaza, uses song and dance to explore issues relating to living with HIV and to inspire those affected with the motto “Never Give Up”.
The inspirational group has developed into a Non-Profit Organisation in its own right which currently runs a community garden and a soup kitchen.
Having been established in this way, the group is now able to receive funding from the South African Government and other sources.
Community Gardening Projects
One of the most successful initiatives has been the creation of a number of community gardening projects, where with help from the DSR, those affected by HIV come together regularly to grow vegetables.
These gardens provide a great source of vitamins and nutrition for those infected with HIV. This is vital in helping to fend off illness related to immune deficiency.
The gardens also provide opportunities to meet others affected by the virus, and to establish supportive relationships.
With help from DSR the community gardening project in Malindana has become a real success for both the people involved and for the local community.
With training and education provided by the DSR, as well as a large water tank, the garden has grown in size and has even created jobs within the community.
Surplus food is sold to the local community at a low price, with money going into transport and supplies, as well as a collective bank fund for emergencies.
Men’s Group
A Men’s Group has been established in East London, where men regularly meet and speak openly about their condition and issues relating to HIV in their community.
The male-only setting allows members of the group to speak openly and helps men support each other through games and activities relating to HIV awareness.
A prominent member of the group is Mbulelo Dyasi, a former ambassador for the Eastern Cape AIDS council.
Mbulelo has done much to tackle the stigma of HIV by publicly disclosing his HIV-positive status and encouraging others to do the same.