HIV / AIDS

Location/s:            White River & Graskop, Mpumalanga
Coordinator/s:       Charles Sanderson – Community developer (White River) and Vivian Marobela – Social auxiliary worker (Graskop)

HIV 1 HIV 2
Asibavikele volunteers in Glory hill along with Vivian Marobela and Carmen Springer (Peace Corps volunteer) Assistance is provided through regular home visits and family support by our volunteers and staff

Brief Description

This programme was launched in 2005 in the Graskop office and covers the suburbs of Glory Hill and the Hostels in Graskop where trained volunteers conduct weekly home visits and support HIV / AIDS infected and affected children. In 2011, this programme was also launched in Phumlani, by the White River office.

A number of activities form part of this established programme in Graskop namely,

  • An afterschool programme assisting with homework and providing light lunches
  • A vegetable gardening to assist with the light lunches offered to children
  • Holiday camps to provide safe & stimulating activities during holiday periods
  • HIV / AIDS education and a monthly support group
  • Income generation projects to assist families
These activities are currently being developed in Phumlani, White River. A weekly feeding scheme is up and running already, feeding 150 vulnerable children once a week through donations from local businesses.

Objectives

  • To strengthen the support network of HIV / AIDS infected and affected children
  • To identify underlying problems and refer clients to the social worker
  • To train and develop local men and women to continue with this programme in an sustainable manner

Successes:

  • 50 trained volunteers are deployed in the programme
  • 350 orphans and vulnerable children benefit from this programme on a monthly basis
  • More than 1000 school children are reached annually through school programs focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness
  • Funding is received from PEPFAR and is managed by the Child Welfare SA provincial office

Wish List:

  • Volunteers who wish to become involved in this project
  • Food parcels & food stuff for the feeding schemes
  • Blankets
  • Computer and printer (to make the management of this programme easier)