Ward Aids Projects Msunduzi Aids Strategy Rolling out

Why committee projects A means of ensuring the implementation of Msunduzi Hiv/Aids Strategy Direct community involvement in the fight against Hiv/Aids Decision making forum for the communities themselves in issues directly affecting them 1

Formation of ward projects  Initial contact done with the ward councillor  The concillor will then call a community meeting to introduce the subject  In the same meeting the Msunduzi Aids Strategy gets explained and a brainstorming exercise happens where community members have to identify their issues of concern around Hiv/Aids for example I.e.Orphans,sick people,lack/shortage of food and child headed families.  Possible solutions are then suggested by the very communities  Some guidance is provided by a Municipality Employee present 2

Volunteer Projects  Community Volunteers will then identify their training needs  Common training needs are  Hiv/Aids Educator Course  Home Based Care  Hiv/Aids Counselling Course  Book Keeping Skills  The City Health Department then offers these trainings 3

Volunteer Logistics  After having formed a group the volunteers are to elect their executive committee who will be spearheading the project  Give themselves a name  Draw up a constitution and open a bank account  e brief bullets, discuss details verbally 4

Poverty alleviation Initiatives  After the being trained at Peer Educators those trained are then expected to facilitate one day workshops as a means of educational empowerment to their respective communities  When those workshops are being run ATICC member will be present to give support and guidance where necessary  An attendance register is taken for record keeping purposes  A R500 rand incentive is given to those facilitating where R200 rands will be for catering purposes and the remaining R300 will be shared among the three facilitators  Method of payment is a direct deposit to their bank account in a form of a cheque 5

Creche Programme  At least three members from the committee will be trained to go educate in creches and will be be given an incentive of R400 share amongst themselves  Ideally those involved in this programme will have some drama skills as they will be expected to act and dramatize their messages,this makes more sense to the little ones  The actors are all unemployed and this is some financial support for them 6

Soup Kitchen  Most wards requested render a soup kitchen service as this will help provide at least one balanced diet a day for those that are financially challenged,infected and affected by Hiv/Aids  The Municipality having been provided with a grocery list will do the buying and deliver to the respective points  The main beneficiaries are children infected and affected by Hiv/Aids at well at infected adult 7

Vegetable Gardens  Volunteers have been encouraged to start vegetable gardens  Pieces of land had to be identified an in some areas where a piece of land was not available they then had to have these gardens at their homes  These will help provide nutritious food for both the patient and the volunteers

Project Support  City Health Employees are always present when meetings are being held  Ward Councillors do support their HIV/AIDS ward projects and some also do avail themselves for meetings  Home-based care supplies are provided to the volunteers by the City Health Department  E-Pap is also provided

Conclusion  Approximately 20 of 37 wards have been covered and the remaining wards will be done next year  Priority have been given to rural and peri-urban communities  Challenges identified are child headed households  Stigma due to lack of knowledge  Lack of food for children affected by HIV/AIDS and the infected ones