Willias, a second grader, had a father who died from AIDS; his mother is also very sick. Home-based care workers from the BIC church help care for Willias and his mother. Zimbabwe
About ZimbabweIn Zimbabwe AIDS claims more than 3,200 lives per week. The HIV infection rate among adults is about 25 percent. Hospitals have been unable to cope with the number of AIDS patients.
MCC Supports:Brethren in Christ Church (BIC) HIV/AIDS ProjectThe BIC HIV/AIDS project came about in 1993 as a response to the fact that hospitals were no longer able to cope with the number of AIDS patients and were instead sending them back home to die. The initial emphasis of the project was on information, education and prevention. As the AIDS pandemic intensified over the years, home-based care and orphan support have become priorities of the program. The church has established counseling and testing centers for those wishing to be tested for HIV as well as programs to prevent the spread of HIV from mothers to children. $13 Cdn./$10 U.S. per year provides supplemental support to one AIDS orphan. $149 Cdn./$118 U.S. per month provides workshops and follow-up on HIV/AIDS related women's development and gender issues within the church. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Scripture Union (SU)Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational movement working with young people and families. The Zimbabwe program began doing HIV/AIDS work in schools in 1995 and aims to reach 12,000 students this year. The group works at HIV/AIDS prevention by addressing issues of behavior change, focusing on delayed sexual activity and faithfulness in marriage, with both primary and high school students. Training is done by peer educators through camps, clubs and rallies for students, and workshops for teachers and field staff. Programs operate in both urban and rural areas. $525 Cdn./$416 U.S. per month provides transportation costs for traveling to schools. $72 Cdn./$57 U.S. provides a monthly stipend to a peer educator. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects.
Thembelihle HouseThembelihle House is a halfway house care facility situated in a high density suburb of Bulawayo. The home was opened in July 2003 as a response to overcrowding in hospitals due to the AIDS pandemic. The home now serves HIV/AIDS patients in transit from hospitals to home based care settings. The facility contains one male ward, one female ward, and one children's ward. At any given time, the home has space for 24 patients. While many health professionals volunteer their time at the home, more full time help is needed. Through a grant from MCC, 3 full time nursing staff will be hired at the home, in order to provide more consistent care for patients. In addition to direct patient care, the nurses provide health education to patients' family members, equipping them to provide better care in the home. If contributions to a project exceed the amount needed, MCC will use the donations to support similar projects. |
|
|
