Evelinah Moloi and other caregivers with the Khanyisile Project are involved in a beadwork project to raise funds for their HIV/AIDS work in Soweto.
South Africa
About South AfricaSouth Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world — 5.3 million. More than 20 percent of adults have HIV; more than 1.1 million children have been orphaned.
MCC Supports:EmthonjeniGiven the area's high population density, unsanitary conditions and extreme poverty, it is difficult to estimate how many people in the populous township of Soweto, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, might be living with HIV/AIDS. While the government social services in the township have improved over the years, hundreds of thousands of people still live in informal, squatter settlements. A church in Soweto, the Pimville Vineyard church, began the Emthonjeni (Fountains of Life) project to address HIV/AIDS issues in the community. Numerous volunteers have stepped forward to implement a comprehensive HIV/AIDS project. Their current outreach includes home-based care, AIDS support groups, education in local schools, information distribution, youth group activities, food parcel distribution and income generation projects such as gardening and beadwork. They have recently renovated a donated plot of land and building that is used as a community hospice. $41 Cdn./$36 U.S. purchases one new mattress for the hospice. $358 Cdn./$314 U.S. funds a bakery income generation project for one year. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Transkei Land Services Organization (TRALSO)The Transkei Land Services Organization was started as a response to the lack of land availability for rural South Africans. Through its work with landless people, TRASO has witnessed the special vulnerabilities of women and children and started many pre-schools in rural communities to address the needs of children and women. As the HIV prevalence rate in South Africa remains high, TRASO has begun to provide special HIV/AIDS education to children and parents, as well as the wider communities in which they work. This year, they are reaching 9,000 people with HIV/AIDS education. They also organize support groups and community gardens for people living with HIV/AIDS. $68 Cdn./$60 U.S. provides educational materials for one community. $81 Cdn./$71 U.S. per month funds a community garden that benefits AIDS patients and vulnerable children. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
United Nations High Commission for RefugeesThe MCC Refugee Project is the implementing partner of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Durban. The project is responsible for helping to meet the basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers in the Durban area. As such, the project helps ensure clients have access to health and social welfare services. In the past few years, the project has seen an increase in the level of sickness and death among refugees, specifically from opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis that are commonly connected to HIV infection. Through this project, education about HIV/AIDS is provided and refugees are supported with counseling and testing. Those living with HIV/AIDS have the opportunity to join a support group in their own language and receive assistance in accessing treatment. $38 Cdn./$33 U.S. covers the weekly travel costs for AIDS patients to access medical care. $228 Cdn./$200 U.S. per month funds a support group and counseling program. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Unsung Heroes - ProVisionWorking in 3 townships outside of Johannesburg, Unsung Heroes works to empower visionary leaders involved in service to their communities. The work focuses on HIV/AIDS support services to a community that includes more than 4 million people and has a very high HIV infection rate. Community programs provide home-based care, care for orphans and vulnerable children, and structured early childhood development programs. $25 Cdn./$20 U.S. provides a school uniform and school fees for one child. $88 Cdn./$70 U.S. provides supplies for a beadwork project for one month. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects. |
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