Lyn @PACANet General Assembly and Pre-ICASA Conference 30/11 - 2/12/2011

Lyn attended the PACANet General Assembly in  Addis Abeba on the 30th November 2011. Delegates had the opportunity to reflect on the past and also to look forward to the future of the organisation. CABSA was a founder members of this organisation, and our interaction was taken to the next level when Lyn was elected as one of the new board members who will guide the organisation into the next phase of its development. CABSA and PACANet share the dream of  the church responding to its calling around HIV in a comprehensive, caring and competent manner, and there is much synergy between the organisations. The new Board members will get to know each other and start planning for the future at a Board orientation session which is being planned for the end of January.

On the 1-2nd of December, Lyn attended the 4th PACANet Pre ICASA conference with the theme "Accelerating a Grassroots Church Movement for a Sustainable HIV and AIDS Response", which was also held in Addis Abeba.

A selection of the presentation can be found on the PACANet website and the Communiqué is available below.

Having attended a number of previous conferences of this kind, Lyn was particularly impressed by the greater depth of discussions, and a greater willingness to address difficult issues: "I think this really reflects greater HIV competence from faith communities," Lyn said.  "I was also impressed by the fact that we in Africa are starting to look within ourselves for solutions and resources. I have never heard so many people emphasising the untapped resources we as church in Africa have."

PACANet 4th Pre-ICASA Conference Communiqué

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1st-2nd December 2011

Accelerating a Grassroots Church Movement for a Sustainable HIV and AIDS Response

Preamble

From 1st to 2nd December 2011, in Desalegn Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Pan African Christian AIDS Network (PACANet) convened a conference, ahead of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), to explore and debate, from a Christian perspective, the issues of ownership, scaling-up and sustainability of the Church’s response to HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The event in Addis Ababa was hosted by PACANet, in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Agency, NORAD and the Danish Mission Council Development Department, and assisted locally by a team lead by the Swedish Philadelphia Church Mission and made up of representatives from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Evangelical Church Fellowship of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Catholic Church.

The purpose of the conference was to review progress of the Church’s response to HIV and AIDS in Africa, to renew its resolve to own and scale-up Church responses and to chart a road-map for a sustainable way forward.

n attendance were 151 participants (87 males and 64 females) from 30 countries (25 from within the continent). The participants represented leaders and practitioners from different church backgrounds, including the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, African Instituted Churches, the Evangelical movement and the mainline established churches.

PACANet is a continental networking body that seeks to link churches, Christian organizations and networks in Africa to enhance their HIV and AIDS responses by sharing ideas, skills, experiences and resources and to stimulate strategic partnerships. Given this mission, PACANet is dedicated to holding a Pre-ICASA Conference, every two years, ahead of the ICASA.

Participants of the 4th PACANet Pre-ICASA conference committed to the following statement.

Recommendations

We call for:

1. The Shifting of Paradigms

• A move from destructive and negative paradigms (i.e. punishment and stigmatization) to constructive and life promoting paradigms focusing on the promotion of human identity and human dignity.
• Appropriate and meaningful involvement in daily life issues at grassroots level within the local framework of the African cultural context.
• A deliberate and urgent effort to harmonize faith and science, belief and life.
• An emphasis on teaching about identity in Christ alongside the focus on preaching and the proclamation of the gospel.

2. The Quest for Competence

• The church to adopt an inclusive model, where we “do the right thing” as well as being the “right church” at grassroots level. This should encompass inner competence (i.e. personal responses; local responsibility; recognition of the impact and risk factors; compassionate involvement; unmasking stigma, discrimination and denial associated with HIV & AIDS), outer competence (i.e. technical competence and strategic planning; appropriate theological knowledge; networking within an inclusive social approach; promotion of dignity and hope) and the bridge between inner and outer competence (i.e. leadership, knowledge and resources).

3. Sustainability

• Discipline in thought, words and actions so as to realize sustainability relevant for development outcomes; benchmarks; long term motivation; sources and resources.

4. Fundraising and Resources

• A shift from fundraising from abroad to fundraising within the capacity of the African setting; i.e. tapping the resources within local communities and believers.
• The linking of financial resources with the development of “human capital”: invest in human potential development.

5. The Reframing of the Notion of Human Sexuality

• The Church to adopt a constructive educational model for the promotion of the understanding of human sexuality within the Church, which includes educational youth models on sex and sexuality from the Christian perspective, beyond the merely “no-sex-before-marriage” paradigm.
• An understanding of the Christian spiritual purpose and meaning of human sexuality; an integrative understanding of our being human, beyond the schism (dualism) between body and soul; the sacredness of intercourse; the sanctification of the human body and its sexual functioning.

6. Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in church practice (The Quest for a Grassroots Kingdom of God Model)

• Mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS with emphasis on service delivery to grassroots communities and on integrating HIV and AIDS related issues into programmes of church ministries.
• We call for a “Kingdom of God” centred model which would include:
  • A small group approach;
  • Home care and ARV Treatment
  • A community focused approach;
  • The incorporation of local people and identification of community leaders.
• Special attention to be given to palliative care in order to improve the quality of life of those with life-limiting illnesses.

7. Advocacy and Christian Leadership

• Training and leadership formation that focus on passion; compassion; excellence; the energizing of human potential and resources.
• The inclusion of religious leaders infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in local projects as agents of change.

8. The Reframing of Power

• The reframing of power, whether male or female, as both are exposed to vulnerability and should be approached from the perspective of human dignity.
• The consideration of issues such as power abuse and the treatment of women; the position of males within feminist campaigns; the acknowledgement of the work done by women on grassroots level; the challenge how to incorporate males within “women care giving work”; loveless and inhumane stigmatization and discrimination within the realm of human sexuality.

9. Networking

• The formation of new partnerships, including North–South, as well as South–South partnerships; interdenominational cooperation; interfaith interaction; inclusion of both the private and public sector.
• The overcoming of “denominationalism” (barriers due to doctrine, church polity, and confessional issues) and the joining of hands as together we can do more and better.

10. The Interplay between the Social Media and Culturality

• The Church to explore avenues of incorporating the media within the notions of advocacy and the communication of appropriate knowledge regarding HIV & AIDS; the link between cultural traditions and the notion of human sexuality.
• An understanding of the interplay between culture, tradition and globalization.

Conclusion

In light of the above, we, the participants of the 4th PACANet Pre-ICASA conference, commit to contribute to the current UNAIDS slogan and perspective: “zero discrimination; zero new infections; zero HIV & AIDS related deaths”, by adopting the following strategic resolve: “zero incompetent churches at grassroots level”.

For further information please contact: Rev Edward Baralemwa, Executive Secretary, PACANet, ebaralemwa@pacanet.net

Aneleh @ Gesamentlike Vigstaakgroep Vergadering, Wes en Suidkaap Sinodes van die NG Kerkfamilie; 27/10/2011

Om te leef as MIV-geaffekteerde gemeentes
Terugvoer van groter Vigstaakgroep vergadering
______________________________________________________________________________
Die Bediening vir Armoede en Sorg se Vigstaakgroep het op 27 Oktober 2011 ‘n groter Vigstaakgroep vergadering by die Marturia Sentrum, Pastoriestraat, Bellville gehou. Alle ringe was genooi om verteenwoordigers na die vergadering te stuur om saam te dink en besin oor die rol van die Vigstaakgroep en die onderwerp van MIV bevoegde gemeentes en kerke.

Die grootste deurbraak van hierdie vergadering was rondom die formulering van die doel van die Vigstaakgroep. Dit het vir ons duidelik geword dat die uitdaging nie ten eerste lê by WAT gemeentes en ringe DOEN met betrekking tot MIV en Vigs nie, maar dat dit noodsaaklik is om te fokus op WIE ons IS en HOE ons as kerk onsself met die kwessie van MIV identifiseer.  Dit is dus nodig om te help vorm aan ‘n kultuur van geaffekteerdheid eerder as nog en nog aktiwiteite.

In hierdie verband is daar ook ‘n paar keer daarna verwys dat die Vigstaakgroep die gewete van die kerk is – en veral die funksie het om die kerk te herinner, bly herinner aan MIV en Vigs en help om ‘n klimaat te skep waarin MIV en Vigs ook ‘n prioriteit is.

Met aanvang van die vergadering het almal teenwoordig ‘n geleentheid gekry om hulself aan die vergadering voor te stel en ook om hulle persepsies oor die taakgroep te deel. Uit hierdie terugvoer was dit duidelik dat ten spyte van die toewyding en entoesiasme van die taakgroep, min werklik kennis dra van die bestaan en of funksie van die taakgroep.

Individue het ook die geleentheid gebruik om hulle frustrasie uit te spreek spesifiek rondom hoe moeilik dit is om toegang tot of betrokkenheid spesifiek vanuit sekere NG kerke te kry. Daar is onder andere gesê dat die NG Kerk MIV nie as HUL probleem sien nie en dus baie ontoeganklik is.

Hier is dit ook beklemtoon dat die verwagting nie is dat die Kerk alles anders moet los en uitsluitlik op MIV moet fokus nie, maar juis dat ons as Kerk moet besef dat ook MIV belangrik is en ons nie regtig ‘n keuse het of ons op hierdie onderwerp en die pyn en stigma wat daarmee gepaard gaan, wil fokus nie.  Ons het wel nodig om te leer hoe om die kwessie van MIV binne die bestaande bedienings en projekte van ons kerk te integreer, eerder as om dit as nog ‘n addisionele verantwoordelikheid te sien. Sodoende kan die onderwerp al meer genormaliseer word, ook binne eredienste. Dit hang daarmee saam om begrip te ontwikkel rondom wat dit beteken om ‘n MIV bevoegde gemeente te wees.

Vêrder is daar stil gestaan by die vraag wat dit moeilik maak vir kerke om ook op MIV te fokus?
Dit is beklemtoon dat dit hier ten nouste saamhang met wat ons verstaan die “core business” van die kerk is. Die “core business” van die kerk is nie MIV en Vigs nie. Die core business van die kerk is God – en in hoe en watter mate die kerk mense kan begelei en ondersteun om nader aan God en mekaar te groei. 

Die terugvoer was:
    Want ons dink dis ‘n opsie?
    Kerkleiers is toegegooi met verskeie sake – waarvan almal dink hulle saak is die belangrikste en behoort die volle aandag van predikante te geniet.
    Seks is nie sonde nie – maar daar is baie vrae rondom moraliteit – en die seksuele oordrag van MIV maak dit moeilik om eerlik en gemaklik met die onderwerp om te gaan.
    Vooroordele en stigma
    Dat ons onderskeid maak tussen verskillende sondes
    Onkunde oor sonde
    Onkunde oor die realiteite van MIV
    Vrees vir pandemie, vrees vir aansteek, vrees vir stigma
    Kommunikasie been en kanale (dit is moeilik om boodskap by die regte persoon te kry)  Hier bied Jacky Swart aan dat sy ‘n belangrike rol daarin kan speel om die boodskap by die regte persone uit te kry.
    Blootstelling is minder (in wit kerke?)
    Ons leef al minder in ‘community’ (veral wit kerke waar mense al meer in isolasie, baie individuele lewens lei?)
    MIV beklemtoon soveel ander “probleme” en uitdagings (plaas vergrootglas oor vraagstukke soos armoede, posisie van vrou, werkloosheid, uitsigloosheid van jeug, tienerswangerskappe, drank misbruik, dwelms, gesinsgeweld, geslagsrolle ens.)

Dit word beklemtoon dat die Vigstaakgroep nodig het om bg. uitdagings te verstaan en in ag te neem wanneer ons oor ons taak en verantwoordelikheid besin. Om bloot net kritiek uit te spreek, gaan nie verhoudings bevorder of die uitdagings oorkom nie.

Die taakgroep definieer ons doel: Om ‘n kultuur van broosheid binne die kerk te vestig waar gemeentes ‘n veilige tuiste vir almal sal wees.
Hierdie kultuur van broosheid hang ten nouste daarmee saam dat ons as kerk nodig het om nie maar net by MIV betrokke te raak of iets te doen nie, maar ten eerste dat ons as kerk sal leef as ‘n geaffekteer gemeente en ons sodoende ten volle met MIV en Vigs identifiseer.

Kultuur hang saam met bedieningspraktyke en bewustheid, maar die vertrekpunt is om ons met die saak te identifiseer.
Die primêre taak van die taakspan is dus om hierdie kultuur te help vestig dat ons regtig geaffekteer is (leef as geaffekteerdes). Leef in die oortuiging: Ek is geaffekteer. Ons is geaffekteer.

En hier praat ons nie daarvan dat ek geaffekteer is omdat my familielid of kollega MIV positief is en daarom ‘n direkte of indirekte invloed op my het nie. Maar ek leef as geaffekteerde, omdat ek myself vereenselwig met die liggaam van Christus wat MIV positief is en Vigs het (en hiermee sou ons kon byvoeg, gemarginaliseerd is, arm is, uitgebuit word)
Die fokus van hierdie komitee lê egter by MIV en Vigs, maar ons gerigtheid lê nie in isolasie van die ander realiteite waarmee ons as liggaam van Christus leef nie. Ons wil dus ‘n kultuur skep (help skep) van identifiseer met mense in nood en wat verby hulle en ons grense strek

Die Vigstaakgroep sien ons rol as agente om die kultuur te verander en sal in die volgende vergadering ons beplanning doen vir hoe ons hierdie taak in 2012 sal aanpak.

‘n Oorsigtelike gesprek volg wat fokus op MIV bevoegdheid.

Twee bronne (Beacons of Hope deur Dr. Sue Perry van EHAIA en Towards an HIV AND AIDS COMPETENT CHURCH gepubliseer deur CUAHA en Tumaini Universiteit) word onder die aandag van vergadering gebring.
Taakgroep lede het reeds ‘n harde of sagte kopie van Beacons of Hope – en enigiemand kan hierdie boek elektronies aflaai deur CABSA se webtuiste.

Die “Competence barrel” soos aangepas en ontwikkel deur CABSA is ook bekendgestel en verduidelik.

In kort kan ons sê dat MIV bevoegdheid nie maar net daaroor gaan om “iets te doen nie”, maar dat ‘n mens op ‘n verantwoordelike manier met die onderwerp omgaan en regtig omvattend na die onderwerp van MIV en Vigs kyk. Terselfdertyd staan MIV en Vigs nie in isolasie van wie die kerk is en waarmee die kerk reeds besig is nie – en daarom is dit belangrik om MIV te leer sien en integreer in bestaande bedieninge en projekte van die kerk.  In plaas daarvan om MIV uit te lig en uit te sonder, wil ‘n mens dit eerder normaliseer en deel maak van wie en wat die kerk reeds is. En hier gaan dit ten eerste dus om die ingesteldheid van die kerk, of dan die heersende kultuur wat uiteindelik sal bepaal op watter manier (en of ) ‘n kerk by MIV en Vigs betrokke sal raak en as deel van haar realiteit sal herken.

Die Vigstaakgroep se volgende vergadering is geskeduleer vir Donderdag 10 November 2011.  Vir meer besonderhede oor die aktiwiteite van die taakgroep, kontak gerus Ds. William Ficks by williamficks@mweb.co.za of 084 5140 363.

Verslag opgestel deur Aneleh Fourie-Le Roux van CABSA – die Christen Vigsburo vir Suider-Afrika, www.cabsa.org.za
 

Lyn @Church Dialogue on Human Rights. 11/10/2011

Lyn participated in this exciting dialogue organised by Sonke Gender Justice Network, POWA and the SACC.

The theme was "The Role of Religious Institutions in curbing Sexual Violence".  Lyn's presentation focussed on the role faith communities can play in addressing female sexual health.

One of the reasons for this dialogue was a programme on a South African pay TV channel , where there are apparently many examples of abuse of women particularly.  If you know of any similar examples, please let CABSA know (management@cabsa.org.za). We will coordinate a campaign to try and stop abuse of this kind.

Included below is Lyn's presentation and a report on the dialogues from the SANAC men's sector

 Programme

Opening prayer: Rev. Monwabisi Mcophela

Setting the Scene and Purpose of the dialogue: Rev. Desmond Lesejane

Questions, Plenary discussions and way-forward

Closing prayer 

Lyn @ “Prospects for The Demographic Dividend in South Africa”. 11-12 July 2011

Lyn was invited to attend the national World Population Day commemoration hosted by by the Department of Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 11 – 12 July 2011. 

World Population Day (WPD) is an annual event, commemorated on 11 July. The aim is to raise awareness on the importance of population and socio-economic development.  WPD was first highlighted when the world reached five billion in 1987 and in 1999 the world passed the six billion mark.  This year, the world population is projected to reach 7 billion on 31 October.  Current world population projections point to the importance of creating opportunities for young people, who constitute the majority in many African countries, including South Africa.  

The focus of this year’s event was on young people, because when young people can exercise their right to health and education, and have access to descent work, they can contribute significantly to improve the capacities of their countries to escape poverty.

During the seminar, government leaders, researchers and senior officials presented papers that reflect on different aspects of the state of our country’s youth, and prospects for their development. 

On the second day of the seminar, participants engaged in group discussions on how to collaborate in a “youth population strategy”, which will support the government’s objectives on the sexual & reproductive health & rights and health of young people, their employment and education & training.

Key points from the presentations

Youth is now the largest part of the SA population This provides economic & other growth opportunity if key conditions are in place.

Schreiner, UNFPA:

Deputy Minister of Social Development Ntuli:

Min Soc Dev Bathabile Dlamini: The Minister’s speech is available on the DSD website 

Dr Zacarius, UN:

Dr Altman, National Planning Commission: Achieving a demographic dividend?

Dr Makiwane HSRC - Demographics of Youth.

National Youth Development Agency on Youth, jobs & skills.

Ms Dululu Hlatshaneni - Pregnancy in schools. Response of department of basic education

Makiwane: Is health of youth improving?

Dr Charles Sheppard: Trends in Educational Attainment.

Potgieter-Gqubule: Social and labour market exclusion and inclusion:

Neloufar Khan:

Oliver Zambuko: Reporting on large study by Dept Population & Development on Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in SA.

A selection of the papers presented are available here

Lyn, Ashley and Jerry @5th SA AIDS Conference. 7-10/6/2011

Lyn, Jerry and Ashleigh attended the 5th SA AIDS Conference where CABSA coordinated the interfaith exhibition. This meant a large amount of materials had to be packed and Lyn's car groaned under the weight!!

The energy started building with drummers at the door, and a amazing community choir

Participants was surprised by a flashmob during the opening ceremony:

Lyn took part in a panel on the religious response to the epidemic. You can read the archbishops introduction below.

Lyn also acted as community rapporteur for the Community Implementers’ guide and Tweeted very actively from the conference. You can download her report of highlights of the session she attended.

People communicate in many ways!

Like always it is good to realise that you and your organisation are part of something much bigger.  Jerry is concentrating on a session - together with a few thousand other participants!

Lyn @ Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) HIV Consultation in Chiang Mai 20-22/3/2011

Lyn was privileged to join fifty members and partners of EAA who participated in an EAA HIV Consultation in Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 20-22, 2011. The consultation was hosted by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), in collaboration with the Church of Christ in Thailand AIDS Ministry (CAM).

The consultation was an opportunity for EAA members and partners to meet together face-to-face to share and evaluate experiences and to broaden and deepen their joint work, both in plans for action and in theological reflection and understanding.

EAA described the consultation as follows:

“With 2010 having been the target year for fulfilment of key governmental commitments on HIV and AIDS (specifically concerning universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support), 2011 is seen as a vital year for assessing progress, analyzing and learning from past experiences, and re-focusing advocacy efforts and strategies in order to contribute to a renewed momentum in the global response to HIV, so that unmet targets are not ignored and are ultimately achieved.

This consultation will take place in the mid-term of the current “Live the Promise” Campaign Framework (2009-2012). It is thus timely to take stock of the campaign thus far, to consolidate our efforts and to envision the work that remains to be done.”

CABSA was chosen as one of the four case studies presented at the consultation, and Lyn had the opportunity to share a presentation on “Inviting Channels of Hope Facilitators on a Gender Journey”

Key presentations (including CABSA's!) can be downloaded from the EAA website

Participants had the opportunity to visit local faith based projects. Lyn said: "During my visit to a local Buddhist temple with a long running HIV project, I realised again that people of different faith backgrounds are all motivated by compassion."

Following the consultation, the EAA held a one-day workshop to enhance the participation of faith-based organizations in Global Fund processes.

You can read reports from the EAA and other participants

Live the Promise: HIV and AIDS campaign bulletin no. 2 / 2011

The World YWCA attends EAA Consultation in Thailand

WACC participates in Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance consultation

CCA e-Letter

 

(Photo Credit EAA)

Lyn @ WACC-AR Seminar on Media, Gender Justice and Peace-building 14 -15 March 2011

After two days of talking and listening, a group of nearly 30 Christian communicators were brought to silence at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The reality of their seminar topic, and the result of failure of the processes they were deliberating on, was shown in stark reality.

This visit came at the end of the World Association of Christian Communication- Africa Region (WACC-AR) Seminar on Media, Gender Justice and Peace-building held at EPR Guesthouse at Kiyovu, Kigali, Rwanda, From 14^th to 15^th March 2011. WACC is a global network of communicators, journalists and activists committed to using communication media for social change.

For two days the group from all over Africa reflected on the role of the media, and particularly of Christian media, in peace-building and in ensuring gender equity in peace-building processes and reporting thereof.

From the devotions, to the many diverse presentations, participants were made aware of the effects of violence and conflict and the impact of different forms of violence particularly on women.  A short summary of the different presentations will follow below.

The presentation reflecting on the situation in Rwanda and the visit to the Genocide memorial reminded me in a particular way of the situation around HIV.  We heard about rape (particularly rape by men who were known to be HIV positive) as weapon of war, and the role this plays in the spread of HIV in the region. 

There are however more fundamental thoughts that keeps going through my mind.  The atrocities in Rwanda were only possible because one group viewed another group as “other”, “less human”, “unworthy” – is this not also what happens with HIV?  We stigmatise people we view as “other”!  

I also think of the press in South Africa, and the way recent news reports emphasise difference (especially racial difference) – I hear warning signals!  In Rwanda one group could refer to another as “cockroaches” – and then it becomes easy to “step on” someone, to destroy them. I pray that we in South Africa, and people working with HIV everywhere, will be more careful of our language and “othering”!

(Photo's and official communique will follow)

You can read the official communique from the seminar here.

Report from Seminar

Welcome from Rev. Achowah Umenei, WACC-AR President.

Dr. Tharcisse Gatwa, General Secretary of Council of Protestant Churches in Rwanda introduced: Bishop Samuel Kayinamura, Methodist Church of Rwanda who lead the devotion from Ezekiel 45:9.

He emphasised the key focus on violence in this verse, and the effect violence has on the victims and the perpetrators. He associated the violence in the time of Ezekiel with the violence in Africa at this time.

The first response could be passiveness or cowardliness.  He referred to the words of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, who aligns passivity to accomplishes of injustice and violence

The second would be counter violence – some would say this is better than passivity, and that this has something positive, as violence is not accepted. The principles Jesus teaches asks us not to respond to bad with bad - Matt 5:39. Martin Luther King Jr says counter-violence will increase violence, you will kill the one who hates, but you will not kill hatred. Darkness cannot take away darkness, only light can take away darkness.

The call of God is to respond to violence with non-violence, saying no to violence or doing bad things to others.  Ghandi says that this is where the future of the world lies.  Respect is key to non-violence

We need to say no to violence and to counter-violence, this is not submission or degradation of the human, it is to resist the negative and use the power of love, with action of truth, justice and peace.

Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje, Council of Protestant Churches Rwanda, in his welcoming remarks emphasised the importance of this particular seminar being held in Rwanda and the importance of gender reporting in the context of violence, conflict and post conflict situations.  He highlighted the importance of media and Christian media as transformative tool and the vast learnings possible from the people of Rwanda

Introductions

Rev Dave Wanless introduced WACC, a global network of communicators, journalists and activists committed to using communication media for social change.

Values

Conference Participants

Lyn’s Comments: My notes from the presentations will follow. As usual, I emphasise that this is my notes, and that I might not always represent the speakers accurately.  I apologise if this happens, and will link to the full presentations as soon as this is available (I will add photo's later):

On the global stage: UNSCR 1325 and subsequent UN resolution on women’s involvement in conflict and peace building - Dr. Sarah Macharia (WACC Global)

Dr. Macharia reminded participants of the recent 100^th celebration of International Women’s Day, where women worldwide gathered on bridges, to highlight the role women can play in building bridges of peace in times of conflict and to call for greater participation of women. She highlighted linkages between media discourse and local, national and international policies.

She reminded participants of a number of international policies and frameworks that have been enacted and the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) of WACC that took place in 108 countries.

UNSCR 1325 was adopted in 2000 and was a landmark framework on the participation and representation of women in media. This resolution binds UN states to take special steps to prevent violence again women, include them in peacekeeping and peace building forces and processes and entrenches women’s participation in peacekeeping negotiations.

Three key supporting UN resolutions followed after 1325. UNSCR 1820, signed in 2008, recognises conflict related sexual violence as a key global security issue and calls for mechanisms to address this. 

A number of international and regional resolutions and processes support this and national action plans should support these resolutions. Although women have always been involved in local peace processes, only 7% of participants in formal peace building processes are women. Women’s roles are not acknowledged at the formal and media level and are often locked out of formal peace keeping processes, but they still participate as activists.

The Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) of WACC has been operating since 1995 and have teams of volunteers evaluating news media reporting across different disciplines in a large number of countries, looking for gender bias and stereotyping in reporting. Last report was published in 2010. Peace is one of the topics covered. As media to a significant way shape reshape and reinforce knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards groups, this programme is very important.

GMMP 2010 Results on peace reporting:

Dr Macharia recounted an unusual news report from the Standard newspaper in Kenya of a group of local women whose peace efforts transcended local clans, barriers and borders and the way this report was presented. This kind of reporting should be encouraged

Role of civil society

- Become involved!

- Initiate dialogue with newsroom editors, congratulating them on good projects and using the statistics,

- Take part in media monitoring programme,

- Developing critical media reading and listening skills – read between the lines, ask questions about who is left out and why.

The impact of conflict on women: Why are women a particularly vulnerable group in situations of conflict? Ms Claudine Kpondzo

Ms Kpondzo started by identifying what we see as conflict, noting that it is normal, inevitable, necessary and can build or destroy relationships. Although we are on the one hand very familiar with conflict, we view it as undesirable, negative and something to be eradicated.  However it can be viewed as the birth pains of a system in need of change and offers the potential to transform and bring about positive growth.

Conflict was defined as a state of human interaction where there is disharmony, or a perceived divergence of interest, needs or goals. There is a perception that interests, need or goals cannot be achieved due to interference from another person or people, conflict is between people and is a state or relationship characterised by disharmony.  There is competition over what is perceived to be limited resources and involves some level of confrontation which may escalate to violence. Unmanaged conflict can eventually escalate into widespread destruction or devastation.

Conflict can however also be positive, as it offers the opportunity for resolving unbalanced power and relations.  It can lead to greater awareness and growth and it is a way of solving problems. Conflict is an immutable force of society – we have the choice to view it positively and work constructively with it, or to view it negatively and avoid it.

Functions of conflict

-            Can build new relationships

-            Help establish identity and independence

-            Helps parties asses each other’s power and work to redistribute power

-            Safety valve mechanism which helps to sustain relationships

-            Creates or modifies rules norms laws and institutions

-            Conflict is NOT violence

Ms Kpondzo invited participants to describe who they understand a “Woman” to be, and went on to highlight some of the results of a study of rural women.  Although the group identified women mainly with positive attributes, the study showed that women view themselves negatively and think that they are not part of society but only there to take care of everyone, to give all without taking anything and that they do not receive respects, care or protection. They view themselves as expendable and replaceable.

Effect and vulnerability of conflict on women

-            Breakdown of communication

-            Terrible impact on families and communities – instead of thinking of welfare and development, people think about how they could harm the other, or solidify thei own position

-            This is even more severe in violent conflict – mobility is endangered and this limits access to basic commodities and services

-            Physical vulnerability

-            Used as war trophies, war arms and to stop procreation

-            Women may not be included in normal development activity and opportunities, and might therefore already be economically and otherwise vulnerable prior to conflict

-            Physically – rape, slavery, abuse, maids and sexual toys to war lords

-            Emotionally –

o   consequences of rape, STI and HIV, undesired children,

o   cannot share her shame

o   pain of seeing husband and children enrolled in war and in danger

o   pain of becoming what you do not want to be

o   pain of loved ones going hungry

o   helplessness

o   feeling of uselessness and powerlessness

o   forced sex work for survival, and subsequent humiliation and rejection if she survives

-            Morally

o   losses moral integrity, respect and being role model

-            Spiritually

o   Seek spiritual homes to get away from the bad past and find forgiveness

o   There is new vulnerability

In media women are portrayed as fleeing from conflict with children on their back or by their side, pictures of women searching basic requirements

Way forward

-            Include women in prevention, management and transformation of conflict

-            Dissemination of resolutions and policy documents so that women are aware of their rights

-            Women should be educated to know that they should benefit from their work and build capacity in every domain

-            All of us should learn that there are alternative ways to solve problems and reach agreement than violence and should make sure that we teach this to children.

Involving women in peace building: Lessons from DRC. Mr. Descartes Mukukya (FEPADE)

Mr. Mukukya spoke of the work of FEPADE (federation of women for peace and development) in the remote areas of South Kivu in the DRC.

He gave a short history of conflict in DRC. At present more than 70% of the population in DRC is female!  Although men are the ones who went to fight, it had severe effects on women in the country and women were very poorly represented in peace building processes and peace building conferences. Few expert positions were taken by women. It became clear that it would be impossible to have an inclusive and lasting peace process without meaningful involvement of women, but it was not clear how to do this or implement UNSCR 1325. This was complicated by the large number of tribes and the historic political and other inequalities between tribes.  Intermarriages between tribes created a situation that traditional ‘opponents’ were now family. The women have an important role to play to ensure that thie traditional conflicts don’t blow up.

It is necessary that women become aware of the role they can play, but this is difficult when large percentages of these women are illiterate.

Organisations such as FEPADE become strong advocacy organisations to ensure that there is greater involvement of women. Education of girls is the important first step to ensure empowerment, economically and in other ways, of women so that they can play their appropriate role in dealing with conflict and political issues

In post conflict situation there is no situation that can be seen as ‘apolitical’. If we are talking about peace and reconciliation, all parts of society should be involved. Women should be organised and capacitated to play their full role. Development necessitates working together as men and women in order to address social, political economic and cultural issues.

Reporting on violence against women and girls in conflict situations

Ms Flora Kayitesi represented ARFEM, the Rwanda Women Journalist Association, an organisation highlighting women’s issues in the media and encouraging young girls to enter the profession. They use the slogan “there is nothing to fear” (during the genocide the media played a role in inciting violence – causing fear and distrust against the media and against entering the profession).

ARFEM is member of a partnership of women’s journalist organisations, which meets annually in South Kivu and has the opportunity to meet with victims of sexual violence – women who have been humiliated and stripped of their dignity. These journalists go back to their areas after this visit and develop a series of documentaries highlighting the issues in the correct gender sensitive way.  This is part of a campaign to end violence against women, especially sexual violence in conflict areas such as the DRC, where she reported that nearly 500 women are raped every hour as a weapon of war.

ARFEM is also working in partnership with Radio Maedeleo to work for access to ARV for women who were infected through rape in DRC:

-        Preparing series of documentaries calling for access to ARVs which will be aired on main radio station in Rwanda. (Radio is the most accessible medium)

-        Accessing victims is not easy as they are often in rural areas, where there is a problem with transport

-         Media houses not interested in sexual violence

-          Language barriers exist

-          Few journalists interested in travelling to DRC

-            There are poor feedback systems to determine how effective the process is.

Women journalists should be sensitised as only they can really reach out to highlight the plight of these women.

Day 2 Tuesday 14th March 2010

Devotions were led by Rev Dave Wanless, WACC treasurer from Jos 5:9. He reminded us that in Lent we are reminded that God’s grace is enough for us.  Going towards the feast of Passover and Easter Sunday, through the period of lent and the pain of the Passion, we are reminded of the ‘enoughness’ of God!

Engendered peace building  Ms Sandra Tumwesigye (ISIS)

Ms Tumwesigye spoke about the peace process in Uganda after 20 years of war.

-            There were many attempts to reconcile – a woman was key in many of the processes

-            There was distrust and interference from other countries, including neighbouring countries

-            Progress led to government and the Lord’s Resistance Army signing a ‘Cessation of Hostilities’ agreement.

-            However, the Final Peace Agreement was not signed and the process came to an halt

In the follow up process there was an attempt at “Engaging to ‘engender’”

-         Women activist challenged the definition of peace – and questioned if the end of fighting mean sustainable peace

-         They asked where women and gender experts where in the process

-         They were concerned at the lack of focus on women’s needs and interests

The Women’s Priorities identified included:

-         Security for Internally Displaced Women upon their return.

-         Right to own and access land

-         Support for reintegration and rehabilitation of former combatants, abductees, new families, children born and orphaned in captivity

Subsequent Efforts and Achievements

-            Capitilized on visit of UNIFEM Chief of Africa

-            Formation of Uganda Women’s peace coalition

-            Peace march, peace torch

-            Lobbying

-            Specific consultation and meetings with women’ leaders gathered women’s views on justice accountability and peace in order to influence the negotiations – video documentary – peace at all costs

-         Women Peace coalition provide background information to parties to talks, drafted their own position on issues

-         Collaborated with other organisations including Amani Forum

-         Countrywide mobilization to build solidarity with women; Peace Caravan, signature campaign, media coverage

-         Peace Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP) was conceived with the overall goal of peace and consolidation

-         Problem – no gender analysis, women not included, No attention to women’s need and priorities – eg GBV, sexual and reproductive health, psychological health, land and property rights, access to justice, girl education, women’s economic empowerment

-         Women’s Task force for a Gender Responsive PRDP created

o   Needs assessment

o   Participation in PRDP governance structures

o   WTF invites to apply for govt special fund for peace building

o   Awareness raising

o   Capacity building and advocacy – gender sensitive indicators and recommendation for result matrix, implementation guidelines and communication guideline

o   Finally it remains important to acknowledge the degree to which gender inequality increases the likelihood of conflict and addressing women’s post conflict needs ensures sustainable peace, recovery and development

Churches involvement in conflict resolution Dr. Tharcisse Gatwa (CPR)

Dr Gatwa highlighted that ‘every square meter of this country felt the blood of a human being’ and that the church failed in its role prior to, during and after the genocide.

He highlighted Partnership/Hospitality as a theological model in church mediation This was based on the churches’ mandate to act as agents of reconciliation, justice and mercy; and the New Testament  perspective of peace which includes:

-            Breaking barriers and divisions of nations, cultures, races and classes

-            Unmasking dominance, reducing it to responsible action (call from Paul to bring master in partnership with his former slave)

-            Engaging in conflict resolution is entering into a process of overcoming an exclusive “wall mentality” and building community.

-            These processes are slow and need careful preparation and relationship building

According to Dr Gatwa, the Rwandan conflict was ‘shaped into ethnic ideology’.  The process owes to the many historical, cultural, colonial, political and missionary narratives. This “marrying” of different versions of history with myths, facts and reality would legitimise, reinvent and magnify the past in the passion to monopolise power, thus setting up a justification of power and difference. Suffering and emotional resentment of past generations were constantly renewed. One group would celebrate their identity, in their own boundaries, rarely taking into account the frustrations, the injustices, the marginalization and the harm experienced by the other group.

He explained that racial identity in Rwanda was a “colonial ascription” and that colonial power elaborated and offered ideological tools to formalise and enforce these differences.  The factors of integration were eliminated, differences were accentuated and this was elevated to racial status.

In Rwanda a “bad” media campaign (fuelled by government) promoted an ideology of hatred and stereotypes based on the theory of difference, denomination and oppression of one group over the other– greater polarisation

Dr Gatwa regretted that the role of churches in the mediation process was “Too little, too late”!

Gender Based Violence in post conflict situations such as Rwanda. Ms Zaina Nyiramatama, (HAGURUKA)

Ms Nyiramatama identified Gender Based Violence (GBV) as a form of discrimination that seriously inhibits women’s and men’s ability to enjoy rights and freedom on basis of gender equality, but emphasised that this is more often directed at women.  It includes acts that inflict mental, economical, physical, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivation of liberty and human rights.

The consequences to women include lack of self esteem, illness such as HIV, psychological disorders, hopelessness, isolation and lack of initiative for self development and national development. It is important to remember the gender based violence is a power issue, and is most common in domestic situations.

Some of the good practices in Rwanda include:

-            GBV committees sensitising the general population,

-            Government, security forces, CSO,  churches encourage denunciation of perpetrators of violence,

-            Schools provide daily updates on GBV,

-            Women economic empowerment

-            Community policing and awareness

-            IMPURUZA (SOS) strategy

-            Praise and rewarding people who denounce GBV

-            Media involvement

-            Free hot lines

-            Isange (welcome) Centre

Recommendations

-            Involve all

-            Increase awareness of parents and teachers

-            Children should know rights and how to take protective measures agains violence

-            Avoid youth being idle

-            Women should change their attitude of life dependence on men

-            Effective enforcement of law and protective rights

After the last discussion session, the group visited one of the many genocide memorial centres providing a stark reminder of how a community and country can ‘fracture’ and loose all humanity.  It was particularly important for this group of communicators to focus on the role that communication played in creating the situation that fuelled the horror

The seminar was closed by greeting from WACC General Secretary Rev. Karin Achtelstetter, Dr Achowah Umenei, WACC-AR President and Dr. Tharcisse Gatwa, General Secretary of Council of Protestant Churches in Rwand.

Minnie @ Public Lecture - More Peace, Less AIDS at UNISA 17/03/2011

(Minenhle Moyo is CABSA’s regional representative in Gauteng)

Here is a brief report on this seminar I attended last Thursday. Other CABSA facilitators who attended were: Elzaan De Villiers, Tumani Santungwana, Sophie Motsiri and Samuel Ditsele. 

The keynote address was given by Ms Patricia Perez (Argentinean Social Justice Activist and Nobel Prize Nominee). The general sense of her presentation was on campaigning for peace in this time of HIV and AIDS in the world, peace comes when we fight Domestic Violence and Abuse.

What was of note to me was also the points raised by other speakers at this event -

Dr Kgosi TKS Letlape: He says Transactional sex is one of our biggest problems today. It happens everywhere, even in churches by the leaders. This has brought about what is known as 'Skirt Upliftment' in these places, including workplaces etc - women get promoted when they lift their skirts for whomever in that place.

Some churches bring spirituality to HIV and AIDS - they call it a demon and they stop people on ART, saying they have been healed. Why don't they treat diabetes and other sicknesses the same and tell people to stop taking their medication.

Then Ms Chriselda Kananda (Managing Director of Positive Talk Services) shared her personal story, which brought in many of the challenges that still exist today, with culture and its demands on woman whose husbands have died to be inherited. She could afford to walk away and not choose the men, but many women do not have that option still in many places. She challenged the audience, in particular women, to contribute to peace in this time by teaching their boy children to love and care for women; promote fidelity and not snatch another woman's husband. She also advocated for more treatment options for women that are simplified and accessible.

I basically enjoyed the sessions but realised we still going round the same things that have been raised already in the HIV and AIDS as well as health arena. I am left longing for more and one man raised the issue of finding African solutions that work for us, one way being to engage communities and having them come up with their own strategies of dealing with infidelity, curbing the spread of HIV and cultural factors that contribute to its spread. I once worked with an Organisation – SAFAIDS -  that did this and had success stories as the community came up with responses that did not put humans in danger in terms of their health etc eg a popular one - appeasing spirits through giving up a girl child to the family that has been wronged. One community in Zimbabwe then said instead of appeasing with a girl the ancestors would accept cows instead. Long story, but that helped in changing perspectives and responses in this time of HIV

 Lyn's Comment: Minnie raises a very important point here!  This aligns closely to CABSA's shift towords HIV competence adn the work of "Community Life Competence", and organisation previously known as "AIDS Competence".  According to this model a community has the competence to solve its own problems - we need to unock this potential in order for organisations to find solutions that work for them!  You can learn more from http://www.communitylifecompetence.org

Lyn@ Community Implementers Forum at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg on 24/11/2010

The FPD and the Compass Project launched the Community Implementers’ Guide to TB and HIV Research at a series of events.  This guide was developed with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the AIDS Foundation of South Africa.CABSA is one of the group of partner organisations of COMPASS, which also includes Soul City, The AIDS Consortium, LifeLine and NACOSA. Download resource below.

As usual, my brief notes from the event is limited by my typing speed, and I apologise to the very interesting and competent presenters if I do not give accurate reflection of their thoughts.  I repeat some of the points I heard. The presentations are available here. and a news report on the meeting here.

The day was introduced by Janine Mitchell from Compass. I later asked Janine why this was an important process for their organisation: (This was my first attempt at a mini video interview!  Thanks Janine for being my "guinea pig" Next time I will eliminate some of the mistakes!)

The aim of the community implementers’ knowledge management process is to ensure that the knowledge from conferences and academic events reaches the community level and makes an impact. 

Janine highlighted the relevant dates for the SA AIDS Conference in 2011 and encouraged the involvement of the NGO community.

The first speaker of the day was Prof Geoff Setswe, Head of the School of Health Sciences, Monash University, South Africa.  As always, he managed to convey the complexities of some of the international research in a clear and concise way.

What is Research? Social and Behavioural Interventions to Prevent HIV/AIDS,

Prof Setswe started with a explanation of What is seen as research evidence?

Strategies for obtaining research evidence:

Prof Setswe emphasised that not all research is viewed equally. In order to show that Certain approaches are classified more highly, he provided the following “pyramid” indicating which types of research is regarded as more credible

H e also proposed the following levels to evaluate the value of research evidence:

Proposed levels of research evidence:

• 80+% - Best evidence
• 60-79% - Good
• 30-59% Promising evidence
• Less than 30% - Poor or No evidence

Biomedical HIV prevention

Behavioural HIV Prevention Interventions

1. Condom use-
   1. Male Condoms -UNAIDS,  90% effective if consistently and correctly                                                             
      
      1. Safe and relatively effective for family planning
      2.   Condom use self report in SA increasing significantly in all age groups, with young people 15-24 particularly encouraging (85% M, 73% F) report condom use at last sexual intercourse.
      3. However, in younger adults, MCP also increased.

2. Abstinence only and ABC interventions
   1. Abstinence only programmes

2. No randomised studies of ABC programmes.  Anecdotal reports or reports of isolated small programmes show some success

3. Behavioural interventions that were successful in increasing knowledge did note necessary change behaviour for young people:

3. Voluntary counselling and testing
   1. Changes behaviour for those who are positive, but not for those who test negative
4. MCP
   1. SADEC think-tank: MCP with low consistent condom use in the context of low male circum
   2. As yet not agreement that there is Cross sectional studies, no RCT or observational studies conclusive evidence that MCP are key drivers of the HIV epidemic in Southern Africa
5. Structural social HIV prevention intervention
   1. Stepping Stones

2. IMAGE Study – Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity

Summary

Good evidence

Promising evidence

-          Stepping Stones and IMAGE on drivers of HIV

Poor evidence

However, this does not mean that we should stop these interventions:“Behavioural HIV Prevention works!” Dr Helene Gayle

There should not be a fight between behavioural and biomedical prevention interventions – behavioural interventions need to be targeted!

Lyn’s Comment: I think as community implementers we should seriously consider the way we operate and the implication this has on the amount of research available.  Many of what is anecdotally described as good or successful programmes are not documented accurately and the necessary pre and post implementation evaluation is not done.

Dr Kerrigan McCarthy, TB Technical Advisor, Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit (RHRU), spoke about Integration of TB and HIV,

TB is the top killer of young people in South Africa!

If we understand the way in which the HIV and TB epidemics are intertwined and the drivers of the epidemics, we can create appropriate interventions.

The dilemma with TB is that it can for significant periods be latent and asymptomatic. When we have weakening immune systems, such as with HIV, it can lead to activation of the latent disease, and to the disease becoming infectious.

There are high levels of undiagnosed TB in communities with high HIV prevalence. In a study by Robin Wood et al individuals with TB were typically undiagnosed and infected for a period of more than a year.

More than 80% of South Africans in the study had latent asymptomatic TB infection!

Don’t wait! We need Integrated HIV/TB services now!

To end a very interesting morning, Dr Janet Frohlich of CAPRISA highlighted a few key points on “Combination HIV Prevention –Need for a paradigm shift in Community Involvement.”

Key issues:

There is a shift to greater and truer participatory methods and acknowledgement of community significance

Key to research success is that it should be shaped and informed by critical community input.

Social mobilisation through community partnerships is critical to their support

The ethics of community consultation should be considered in the planning, implementation and dissemination of research.

Acknowledge communities as change agents and advocates in combined prevention strategies!

Gerard Payne from the AIDS Consortium facilitated the Dialogue session. Some of the points raised included:

Much to soon the interesting morning was over.  Well done, Compass!

Lyn @ 1st OVC in Africa Conference, Sandton Convention Centre 31 Oct- 3 Nov 2010.

I attended this inaugural conference from Sunday 31 October tol Wednesday. 3 November.  My daily eports are posted below. Please remember that I am limited by my typing speed and the fact that I am not able to attend al the session at a time!  I also realise that we 'hear' different things, depending on our paradigm and perspective.  So I apologise to the speakers if I did not manage to reflect their thoughts accurately! Some of the presentations are available on the conference website.

Day 4 Wednesday 3 November

Plenary

Ms Moipone Buda-Ramatlo said she was ‘given’ the topic: Food Insecurity – food vouchers or food parcels. Where are we in this debate?

The speaker questioned the value of this debate and the danger of fragmenting the OVC issue, with the risk of diluting service delivery. She reminded us thatOVC issues are not homogenous, but complex. The desired outcomes of any program are well-resourced children in stable environments. It is critical to note that there is no linear way in which to achieve this.

The key focus should be asset based; strengthening the family, ensuring sustainability, ensuring family income security; be reliable and sustainable, should allow for family self determination.

She warned agains the use of grants, which can disrupt community patterns, and problem solving approaches: Problems occur when children become the government’s children, rather than the community’s children.

Ms Anita Sampson spoke on the PEPfAR support on Orphans & vulnerable children programme in South Africa. She again emphasised the importance of strengthening the family and community and prolonging the life of parents. The PEPfAR program is moving from an emergency response to sustainability with strong focus on country ownership and leadership. Funding will increasingly be channelled to and through government.

Ms Mary Crewe’s presentation had the challenging title “It is Wrong.” I whish I could give a more comprehensive report of this challenging session! She highlighted some suggestions for strengthening the response to young people. Ms Crew presented case studies highlighting some of the emotional challenges of young people who face multiple challenges, even when they have the financial and social support required. She speaks of emotional hollowness or emptiness and wonders how much more severe the emotional effects would be on children in more challenging environments.

She warned that a lot of what we say about orphans make us feel good, but does not make any real difference.

We cannot deal with the complex issues of orphanhood using the constructs of our present thinking. We need a new definition of family, community and identity.

Final Plenary and Rapporteur Session

The rapporteur reports will be on the conference website soon. I will identify the highlights from each track.

Track 1: Treatment, Care and Support – Shanaaz Kaperia Randeria

Our main focus should be on the eed to capacitate and build family and community.

Track 2 – Roundtable Report: Sherri Le Mottee

Track 3 – Disaster and Risk Management - Noki and Scott

Closing Plenary Address – Dr Siobhan Crowley

Day 3, Tuesday 2 November.

Plenary Session

In this session, chaired by Dr Tammy Myers, we first listened to the sobering presentation of Prof Brian Eley on the challenges of “Reducing Child Mortality (MDG4)”.

Ms Lynette Mudekunye spoke about “Children Crossing Borders”. Ms Mudekunye mentioned the different types of children crossing borders: The relatively ‘normal’ situation of children crossing with parents or caregivers, children crossing on their own or with group of other children; ‘oscillatory migrants’ that move back and forth between countries and children being trafficked. Sometimes we consider all these children as ‘victims’. But we should remember that children often make a informed choice based on their circumstances and expectations. It is strange to think that a child could be desperate enough to make a conscious choice to leave behind all that is familiar and travel, in many cases for hundreds of kilometers, to another country where they dream of a better future. “These children have purpose, have agency, have hope and have dreams.”

It is clear that the issue of children crossing borders is complex. Ms Mudekunye shared many touching stories of the realities of these children.

Mr Zane Dangor (?) conveyed a message from the new Minister of Social Development, Ms Dlamini as well as previous minister Ms Molewa.

He emphasised that the protection of children is a key responsibility of the department of social development. This is closely embedded in the rights of the child according to the constitution.

We have good policies to improve maternal and child health – all the good work was countered by the failure to properly address the HIV epidemic.

Session 2 today focussed on Carers and Caregivers

Kerry Steele reported on “Who are the Carers? Using surveys to identify adults caring for vulnerable children”. She again emphasised that the primary burden of care for OVCs lies in the community.

Their study was based on a question in the SA Behaviour and Communication Survey in 2009: “In the past year have you personally cared for a child whose parents died of AIDS?”

If the results are generalised – 2.8 mil people cared for an orphaned child in past year.

The results were compared with burden of disease and regions, and indicated an unequal distribution of care givers in proportion to children requiring care.

This method of assessing the situation around carers can be very effective, as can mass media. However, methods of communication with the minority should be kept in mind.

Bev Killian highlighted “Community Caregiver Perspectives on their work and challenges”. Once again she mentioned that the extended family bears the brunt of the epidemic in terms of child care.

In KZN alone there are 10 000 community care givers working with children affected by HIV and AIDS - 2.3 mil in Africa

David Roth reported on a Self Report Measure of Wellbeing (OWT) for orphans and vulnerable children undertaken in Kenia by Catholic Relief Service.

This presentation outlined an OVC Wellbeing Tool developed by Catholic Relief Services to assess self-reported child wellbeing by measuring 10 domains (food/nutrition, education shelter, economic opportunities, protection, mental health, family, health, spirituality, and community cohesion).

They use different tools for appropriate age groups.

In this evaluation spiritual, educational and family wellbeing scored highest, economic domain lowest.

This can be a useful tool to use in communities in order to evaluate services and interventions required

More info about the tool available on CRS website at http://crsprogramquality.org/pubs/hivaids/OWTguide.pdf

Caroline Kuo reported on the unmet physical and mental health needs of adults caring for orphaned children in a HIV endemic community in SA.

It is clear that caring for orphans can have sever adverse effects on the health of carers.

All carers of orphaned children had less than optimal health and need interventions.

Dr Cluver and Dr Casale continued to address the Relationship between Carer and Child Mental Health in a HIV-endemic community in South Africa. This study was linked to the previous presentation

Orphaned children have poor mental health, as carers of orphaned children can have, and people living with HIV can have. This interplay and linked vulnerability can have serious implications for the mental health of a community

There are close links between depression, anxiety and PTSD in carers and the children they care for. This increases dramatically in AIDS affected families.

After lunch I had to make a difficult decision between attending a session which included presentations on food security, nutrition and disclosure or more about the challenges of carers, social and para-social workers and the best interest of the child and young adult.

The first speaker in the session I attended was Rita Muyambo who spoke about Measuring the Psychosocial wellbeing of community care givers. She emphasised the critical role of NGOs in service delivery at grass root levels

In order to measure and evaluate the Thogomelo project, measuring social wellbeing was necessary.

A variety of tools were evaluated – none deemed appropriate

Developed new appropriate scale; was developed and tested (some info available at http://www.aidstar-one.com/task_orders/thogomelo_project and http://www.ovcsupport.net/s/library.php?ld=1096)

Pre and post training evaluation will be compared.

The process and further development of this tool could be very useful.

Daphyne Williams spoke about the tool developed by CRS and highlighted by David Roth earlier in the session “Creating Age Appropriate self-Report tools for children: Using a pictorial scale to rate wellbeing”. This tool highlights the perception of the child of his family health in 10 different domains. It was decided to use a 5 point rather than a 3point scale in order to identify more nuances and assess change more accurately.

In the evaluation of the younger group (6-8yers) the tool was used in a picture format as well in verbal form. It became clear that what adults, even in a specific culture, read into a picture might not be the same as children see. Culture appropriate might not be child appropriate, and especially not young child appropriate!

Conclusion: It is important to pilot any tool or intervention!

Basani Malambe spoke about “Developing resilience in life through psychosocial support: A community based approach for OVCs and guardians in South Africa. Psychosocial support is only sustainable and manageable if handled as cross-cutting issue. It is however essential as it lays the foundation for the wellbeing of the children in their care.

The Red Cross model is family centred and uses many tools already mention – Memory work, journey of life, hero’s book etc. Remember that psychosocial support is an ongoing process and not a one-time intervention. Although the impact evaluation of the programme will only be done in 2011, there are many positive results reported.

Josianne Roma-Reardon highlighted the OneVoice South Africa Schools Programme: HIV and AIDS prevention with and for young people. OneVoice South Africa (http://www.onevoice.org.za) is a vibrant and unique non-governmental organisation (previously known as Dance4Life), which uses innovative and creative ways of actively involving young people in HIV and AIDS prevention. The programme is appealing to young people because it provides them with a platform to discuss and address HIV and AIDS, sexual reproductive health, gender and human rights issues.

The school programme includes a series of nine workshops which focus on Gr. 8 learners and provide a manual and notebook dealing with Life Skills, Sexual and Reproductive health and management of projects.

Russel Linde presented on the topic “The Children’s Act Requires a Legal Resource Unit.

His personal experience in trying to access legal services around the children’s act motivated his approach for this presentation.

Like any legislation, the Children’s Act has no use if it can not be enforced. He highlighted the serious underfunding in the social and legal domain in order to implement the act.

Conclusion:The potential benefits of such a unit far outweigh the cost and should be seriously considered.

He quoted Samantha Waterhouse: “We do not measure success by the number of laws alone, but rather when all South African children have equal access to the protection and services contained within the legislation”

For the Best Interest of the Child and Young Adult

Dr Sissel Olssen reported on her study to Identify Critical and Key factors determining appropriate school support systems.

The recommendations of the study were included in a joint partnership that will focus on the support and wellbeing of teachers.

Mokgadi Malahlela spoke on “Improving the Lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children through Social Access.”

She highlighted the work of Kheth'Impilo, an organisation whose mission is to support the South African Department of Health in achieving the goals outlined in the National Strategic Plan for the scale up of quality services for the management of HIV/ AIDS in the Primary Health Care sector.

Grant Access Strategy – the organisation is involved in most provinces to facilitate access to identity documents and social grants

More about the organisation at http://www.khethimpilo.org/

Evelyne Kamote reported on the Tanzanian approach in “Beyond Handouts! Integrating quality in OVC Services”.

Ms Kamote mentioned many points in the Tanzanian program for ensuring quality in the care of children. An important point for me was that in the focus on MVC – most vulnerable children. They consider the fact that orphans might not necessarily be the most vulnerable, but that a community might have other children, who are not orphans, who could be highly vulnerable for a variety of reasons.

It is important to build consensus on what constitutes quality!

Adele Clark CRS spoke on “Developing Solidarity Among Children Using Therapeutic tools for multiple purposes. She highlighted that 163 mill children have lost one or both parents due to many different causes and that orphans are not the only children who are vulnerable.

A Toolkit was developed – “Psychosocial care and counselling for HIV- Infected Children and adolescents”. It includes games eg ‘Just like me’ with variety of details and levels and is available online.

Another full and informative day!

Monday, 1 November 2010

Plenary Session 2, chaired by Prof Leickeness Simbayi. Prof Simbayi referred to the cabinet re-shuffle announced yesterday, and mentioned that as Min Molefe is no longer minister of Social Development, her presence at the conference is unsure.

Prof Lorraine Sherr – Bringing up Orphans – Why We Need Support of Families. She highlighted the dilemmas of defining ‘orphan’ and made a plea that we should be clear about what we are speaking about when we talk of orphans.

SSA - 7.5% Paternal Orphan; 5.2% maternal; double orphans 12.1%;

Sub Saharan Africa - 5-10 times higher than other regions.

Family approaches to the challenges of orphanhood and HIV is much more successful than individual models.

88% of orphans are cared for by extended families

Considerations in Orphan care

 Prof Sebastian van As: Trauma and Children – A World Perspective

True disasters for children

Highligted work of http://www.childsafe.org.za/

Child safety starts with all of us

“A better society will and must be measured by the happiness and health of our children”

Nelson Mandela

Dr Zosa de Sas Kropiwnicki: Child Trafficking and Exploitation of Children across Borders

She started of by warning against the sensationalist and inaccurate data often used in this field. The definition of child trafficking is movement of a child with the intention of abuse. In the case of children, permission is deemed to be irrelevant.

If children move ‘on their own’ it is not trafficking, but that does not mean that children that are not trafficked but still abused need less care

The perceived success of SA leads to increased risks and vulnerabilities to trafficking of children from neighbouring countries.

Many criteria for a effective response were mentioned, including that a response should be rights based, protective and interlocking, regional, systemic, intersectorial, comprehensive, participative, appreciative, asset based, family strengthening, capacity strengthening, evidence based

In the first session 1 there were 2 options – ‘Access/Community Based Coordinated Care’ and ‘Lessons of Management Systems Support’

I attended the session on ‘Access/Community Based Coordinated Care’ chaired by Mrs Lynette Mudekunye

Nancy Kemo spoke on “Improving Access to Health Care for OVCs through Community/Health Facility Linkage”.

A help desk managed by specialised care workers increased the access of children to treatment and improved communication and relationships between community health workers and institute based care workers.

Due to stigma care givers in the community is still reluctant to disclose the HIV status of the children in their care.

David Green explained methods of Developing Caring Communities through narrative practices

By allowing the community the opportunity to share their stories and experiences sustainable approaches can be developed to enhance the wellbeing of children. The stories and approaches can be documented and used by other communities.

Joan Marston spoke of the Sunflower Effect, and how one programme expanded access to palliative care for children in Free State province.

Palliative care is the care of body, mind, spirit of the child with a life limiting disease and includes care of the family.

A multi-sector approach, partnership and networking is crucial, but can provide a rich resource for the effective expansion of palliative care for life limited children to improve their quality of life.

Jacqueline Khumalo highlighted the magic of networks in supporting organisations that work with orphans and vulnerable children.

The CINDI (Children in Distress) Network does capacity building and provides networking opportunities for the organisations in the area responding to children.

An analysis was given based on a study of 176 member organisations of CINDI

• Networking
• Capacity Building
• Advocacy
• Resource mobilization

Sumaya Mall highlighted the Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS of deaf and hard of hearing adolescents: and the Perceptions of educators in Schools in South Africa.

Literature shows increased risk of abuse as well as low self esteem amongst disabled people, including people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This can be acerbated by the fact that there are limited or culturally inappropriate educational resources for people with hearing disability.

A study on selected schools for the deaf explored condom policies, perceptions of sexual risk behaviour in deaf learners etc

After lunch I attended a session on Institutional Partnerships chaired by Dr Sissel Olsen

The first speaker was John Capati, who spoke of the use of Social Work Partnerships to Build Sustainable Capacity to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. He introduced the work of the Twinning Centre which created 30 North-South and 9 South – South twinning agreements.

Twinning is flexible, collaborative and gets results.

He highlighted the work done to strengthen the work of social work auxillaries, or para social workers. This untapped resource links to the community and further capacity building helps to augment the severe shortage of trained social workers in the community.

It was initially important to create a share understanding of the role of this group. Curriculum development is crucial, although there are universal principles, it is also crucial to make it specific to the context and environment. Structured follow up is essential for the success of the process.

Various country representatives reported on the success the programme had in their country

-          Leah Natujwa Omari from Tanzania

-          Justice Chukwudi Ulunta - Nigeria

Marietta Slabbert spoke about a Motivation strategy for rural advancement. She highlighted the work of the Ndlovu Care Group that works through Autonomous Treatment Centre (ATC) and Community Health Awareness Mobilization & Prevention (CHAMP)

Once again the importance of working from an asset based perspective was emphasised.

Ndlovu adapted the Hertzberg Theory of motivation to behaviour change communication

Story from a project: Maria, you get a food parcel and school uniforms, why do you still not go to school? I don’t sleep at night, our door does not lock, and I am afraid people come in at night and rape me and my siblings.

I very interesting session by Susan Wilkenson Maposa focussed on “Understanding Organisational Resilience: How organisations supporting child well being survived Zimbabwe’s socio economic collapse.”

The Firelight Foundation was interested that all grantee partners of the foundation in Zimbabwe survived the socio-economic collapse, even though these organisations are often seen as ‘low resourced organisations’.

The results showed:

Community based organisations identified 5 resources or strengths they depended to help them survive in challenging conditions

This is supported by literature where the following 5 behaviours can be identified which are used to construct resiliency in organisations

The presentation was one of the highlights of my day. We have all seen so many organisations overcome challenges, where it seems humanly impossible, and do remarkable work. It was good to be reminded that the strengths that help organisations overcome hardship is often internal and local, and does not necessarily depend on tangible factors or external resources.

 Nataly Woolett spoke about “Child Witnesses of Domestic Violence: the Overlooked Victims”. She spoke about Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in a art and play based group in a domestic violence shelter. 

USA research shows that a third of US children are exposed to violence in the home. SSA probably higher!

Natalie highlighted the high incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or Complex Psychological Trauma in children in South Africa.

Creative art therapies have much strength in dealing with trauma. A process was explained where therapy of this kind was used with children, with very good results.

Many resources are available eg the book “A Terrible Thing Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma”. More info at http://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/4416428.aspx

Opening Session, Sunday 31 October

The opening session started with a song “When will the Children Play Again”, starkly sketching the reality and asking ‘how many children must raise more children before we take a stand?’. Suddenly this does not seem ‘just a conference’ but the reality of children who are unable to play or laugh, because they are raising more children. Tina Schouw - South African Singer Songwriter touched the participants’ hearts.

The opening session was billed as follows. 

• Dr Ashsaf Grimwood CEO Kheth ‘Impilo Conference Chair

• Hon Minister Bomo Edna Molewa Welcome Address –

• Dancing with the Darkness on my Back

• Dr Annette Gerritsen, EPI Result: Estimating the Need for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Services in the city Tswane Metropolitan Municipality 2010

• Dr Nono Silemela; CEO SANAC: SANAC’s National Plan of Action for OVC’s

However, as Dr Ashsaf Grimwood CEO Kheth ‘Impilo welcomed participants as the conference chair, he also announced that Min of Social Dev Edna Molewa is unable to attend this evening and Dr Silemela would be unable to attend due to ill health. It is quite a disappointment that these two ‘star’ speakers are not here.

Dr Grimwood highlighted what had been achieved around development and MDGs, but also the challenges that remain for children and the opportunities to address these.

Dr Johanna Kistner and the children Sophiatown Children on the Move Project presented “Dancing with the Darkness on my Back. Children’s Sories of Hope and Courage.” Firstly we were reminded that these children do not think of themselves as OVC’s – they reminded us:

We listened to the children’s stories; stories of death, of loss, of xenophobia, of displacement of overcrowding, of living with multi –cultural life, of displacement, but mostly of “Dancing the darkness away” the incredible resilience of children in the midst of multiple challenges.

Dr Annette Gerritsen’s presentation covered “Estimating the Need for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Services in the city Tswane Metropolitan Municipality, 2010”.

A survey was done on service providers in Tswane between 2005 and 2010:

Conclusion – The overall picture of service provision in Tswane is more positive than 2009. The unique information obtained by the survey will assist the metropolitan municipality in their planning in future

The Ndlovu choir entertained participants before we were invited to attend the opening cocktail function.

The function was hosted by SABCOHA and highlighted the “Camp I Am” programme, an exciting public/private/NGO initiative for 15 000 children during the extended 2010 school holiday. Hopefully this successful programme wil be extended in future.

Lyn @ World Vision SA Launch of the Child Health Now Campaign. 20/10/2010

Child Health Now is World Vision’s first global campaign focused on a single issue: reducing the preventable deaths of children under five.

Lyn attended the launch of this important advocacy campaign by the president of World Vision International at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.

Speakers included Mr Lehlohonolo Chabeli, National Director of WVSA, speakers from the SANAC children Sector and government. and Mr Kevin Jenkins, WVI president.

You can read more about the campiagn and access resources at  https://childhealthnow.com/campaign http://www.wvi.org/wvi/WVIAR2009.nsf/maindocs/FCD0CD1CCF6609B4882576EE00... and http://www.worldvision.org/news.nsf/news/child-health-campaign-advocacy-...

Nelis @ Micah Network meeting in Capetown, 16 October 2010

Nelis attended the Micah Network Strategy Update meeting Saturday 16th October together with a group of participants of the third Lausanne Congress and other Christian leaders.

The meeting was led by Sheryl Haw who explained the Micah Network strategy.

Rene Padilla spoke about his theological journey and explained his vision of integral mission. Participants had the opportunity to dialogue with him.

CABSA hopes to strengthen relationships with the Micah Network.

Nelis @ Pastors’ ICT Workshop in Worcester, 6/10/2010

Nelis joined a group of pastors in Worcester on 6 October to discuss the use of ICT in ministry. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to explore all the wonderful opportunities these tools provide. A few key points include:
- Be interactive. Make sure that your website is not just “preaching”, but provides the opportunity for conversations, such as through a blog, comments option, etc.
- Measure your download speed and effectiveness. The free Firefox Yslow add-on was mentioned.
- Questionnaire options are available from Google Documents.
- Make sure users can easily share or pass on your content.
- A FaceBook presence can be valuable.
 

Jan @ the Sangonet “Fundraising in the Digital World” Conference. 1-2 September 2010

Jan attended the Sangonet “Fundraising in the Digital World” http://www.ngopulse.org/conf2010/ conference held in Johannesburg on 1 and 2 September 2010. Here are a few of the things he heard.

It is not difficult to feel that the internet has always been there and have a perception that everyone has access. Unfortunately this is not so, but access to it is growing fast. The growth in internet access can be seen when considering that in 2005 there were an estimated 3.4 million internet users in South Africa (population 49 million). This number has grown to approximately 5.3 million in 2009 and is projected to further increase to around 11 million by 2015. 

The biggest factor affecting the future growth of internet usage in South Africa will not be capacity of infrastructure but the cost of access to and use of the network. South Africa and Africa can, as result of 3 new under-sea fibre optic cables, only now really start joining the internet world. The 3 new cables will mean that by 2012 Africa will have approximately 220 times the capacity for data transfer that it had in 2008. The effect is already becoming visible in changes taking place in countries throughout Africa as they receive real, and more affordable, broadband connectivity.

Although 15% of businesses in South Africa with access to internet connectivity still used dialup, 46% utilised broadband (ADSL). The number using ADSL is however projected to grow to 86% in the near future, strongly followed by satellite. 

This growth in connectivity has a direct impact on the need for businesses to have some form of web presence and technological footprint. The use of the internet should however not be considered from a limited perspective of providing or accessing websites. The internet should be seen as part of a total revolution that includes electronic banking, social media and even related technologies such as cellular phones.

Despite the internet growth in South Africa, a few practical aspects should be kept in mind. It was indicated that whilst 12% have e-mail addresses but only around 9% of the South African populations have credit cards. This means that the utilisation of e-commerce based businesses – which, other than EFT’s, require credit cards - limits the South African market to a maximum of 9% of the South African population. The banking services available to people still has a limiting influence on web based fundraising.

Regarding other electronic management of money two systems, available in South Africa, introduced at the conference were a cellular phone based system “Mpesa” managed by Vodacom. This system is working well in Kenya where it was developed. The internet linked payment system “Paypal” was also presented but it requires people having an FNB bank account. Pay Pal is also not yet set up to do transactions in South African Rand.

A factor that must be considered with electronic fundraising, is what is called the Digital Participation Curve.  This curve indicates that it takes approximately 5 years of experience with the internet before people start becoming comfortable in utilising e-commerce and making electronic donations. This is also true regarding EFT’s (electronic fund transfers) and online banking.

In contrast to the number of people with internet connectivity, approximately 62% of people in South Africa have cellular phones and thus become potential participants in short code / premium code donation systems and  the new Mpesa programme. There are also numerous international examples of successful cellular phone based fundraising activities.

It must be emphasised that the use of cellular phones for fundraising has many risks attached. Phones are a technology that was designed for conversation and people see unsolicited cell phone contact as a more personal invasion of privacy than they do emails. The indiscriminate use of cellular phone contact could thus result in the creation of resistance against an organisation and cause.

• What is the target market of the fundraising?
• How can mobile numbers be obtained voluntary – with permission for usage?
• What communication strategy will be followed?
• How will the money be collected?

In South Africa it should be kept in mind when considering a cellular phone based process that service providers take a very high percentages of all donations made via the phones. Based on the percentages taken by service providers, Sangonet launched a petition entitled the “Mobile Giving Initiative” where service providers are petitioned to waive their percentages for NGO’s. The petition is available for signing and supporting at http://www.ngopulse.org/conf2010/

On a more practical level, the effect of digital age has a number of key aspects that directly influences its use in fundraising. As result of the internet and increased connectivity around the world, the sense of community has changed and is busy changing further. People have a desire to connect and develop “digital friends”. There is however no magic solution, fixed recipe or specific software package that will build a network of friends. The process is slow and requires methods similar to those utilised when cultivating face to face relationships and friendships. The difference is that it is now done electronically.

Organisations must stop thinking in terms of fundraising and start thinking about building digital relationships. The essence of digital fundraising is not asking for funds but cultivating and developing relationships (on or off line) by addressing people’s expectations of transparency and getting to know the real organisation.

People want to share a dream and be part of a story. They want to invest in success and become part of something whilst being kept busy with other aspects of living. To raise money on-line organisations must stop fundraising and start inspiring action. This means the focus should not be on the needs of the organisation but on getting people to become part of, and buy into, the organisational dream by supplying visitors with information. The increased availability of information however means that people have stopped being inspired by the same story presented in the same way on hundreds of websites.

• Why the organisation really exist and who they really are.
• That the organisation is vibrant with many facets.
• The highlights the organisation are most proud of but also that the organisation realises, and can face, their own shortcomings.
• Answers to the hard questions such as if the organisation is making a substantial difference and ultimately if, and by who, their function be missed if they close their doors.

People that support an organisation must be able to tell “the company story” to their friends. People want to be given a sense of belonging to a cause. When they belong, they will – in the offline - world put things in their own words and start marketing on the company’s behalf. This is the basis of what is called viral marketing.

Contrary to popular belief, people do not donate because of a Facebook page or e-mails.  They are donating because they are hearing a dream and by belonging to this dream they feel that they too are making a difference.

To start building relationships organisations must start by understanding where they are. The process of utilising social networking technologies should be implemented slowly and in a sustainable manner. The key is to listen more than to talk as social networks are not public broadcast channels.

Organisations and CEO’s should join sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn in ways that are related to the organisational cause. They must then respond to every post on their wall, update their status as often as possible, post recommendations on LinkedIn request from others and post pictures and videos. It is important to increase the network by “liking” pages and accepting friend requests but this should be done with thought as it would be done when accepting friend requests in real life.

Where applicable and to keep up to date with what is going on, key members in the organisation must join twitter and follow related twitter hash tags (#). To build authenticity, cover special events before the event to build interest and then reported on and pictures included afterwards.

Organisations should however, be careful as too much technology could frustrate donors. Lastly also remember that an e-mail is not an invitation to solicit funds but merely an invitation to start building a relationship.

Lyn @ IAC Multi-Faith Pre-Conference. 17/7/2010

Lyn van Rooyen attended the Multi-Faith Pre-Conference at the Technical University in Vienna, Austria

Centered on the theme ‘Rights Here, Right Now: What’s faith got to do with it?’, this one-day multi-faith pre-conference allowed some 250 people of faith to:

If you attended the pre-conference, please fill in and return this evaluation form to rfoley@e-alliance.ch by 6th August 2010.

Download presentations and talks given at the pre-conference here. 

Nelis @ CUAHA AIDS Competence Workshop. 3-5/5/2010

Nelis du Toit (CABSA Director) and Patrick Manzini (CABSA trained Churches, Channels of Hope facilitator) were privileged to attend the CUAHA (Churches United Against HIV & AIDS) workshop in Johannesburg from 3-5 May 2010.

The candidates who attended this workshop came from many countries, e g Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola representing various denominations.

According to Mr Manzini the workshop was conducted in a participatory manner. “We were encouraged to share information, ideas, concerns and knowledge. Facilitators ensured that everyone got an equal opportunity to participate. Through active listening and good questioning, they demonstrated that each person’s contribution was valuable. Facilitators helped group members to communication skills by promoting discussion. Activities such as role play and case studies were used to explore different points of view. Facilitators used games to help people to get to know each other, to give participants more energy and enthusiasm, and to help people to work together.”

One of the highlights of the workshop was the sharing of her experiences of living with the virus as well as being stigmatised by her community, by one of the participants. Her story revealed how a community, even a church community, can stigmatise people living with HIV.

CABSA thanks CUAHA for the opportunity to participate in their programme.

Lyn @ PACANet Consultation on Multiple and Concurrent Sexual Partnerships. 26-30/4/2010

"It was very good to discuss this topic so openly in a faith setting. I have to admit that I was quite shurprised by the some of ways in which participants feel faith communities increase the opportunity or possibility for multiple partners" Lyn said after she participated in this consultation held at Ezulwini Sun International Hotel in Swaziland from From 26th-30th April 2010.

The consultation was organised by PACANet in conjunction with the Church Forum on HIV and AIDS, Swaziland. The aim of the consultation was to is to provide a forum for key stakeholders from churches, Christian organizations and theological institutions to discuss the issue of multiple and concurrent sexual partners as a risk behaviour for HIV infection.

Prior to the consultation the outcomes were identified as:

• Gain a clear understanding of the role of MCP in HIV transmission and of social and cultural factors which must be addressed in changing MCP behaviours and strengthening protective behaviours such as mutual fidelity and marriage;
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the present Christian response and how the church can effectively address MCP;
• Determine realistic steps and commitments that can be taken by consultation participants and begin to plan country and regional action.

You can download a selection of presentations from the consultation below:

- The Challenges Of Maintaining A Good Marriage, Even Within The Church! Gonzaga & Paskazia Lubega, Directors Maternal Life Uganda.

- The Joy of Marriage: Marriage As It Was Intended To Be. Grace Taruvinga; Leadership Agenda

- The Experience of the Church With MCPs - An Evangelical Perspective; Bishop Joshua H K Banda

- Epidemiological Perspectives on Marriage & Family; Allison Ruark, MSPH; Christian Connections For International Health

- Why Is HIV Prevalence So Severe In Southern Africa? And “What Works” (And Doesn’t) For Aids Prevention?  Daniel Halperin, Phd, Ms Senior Advisor For Behavior Change/Primary Prevention, USAID

- Marriage and Family: The Blessings of Faithfulness and the Pains of Betrayal. Dr Peter Okaalet, Map

- The Experience of the Catholic Church with Regard to the Situation of Multiple Concurrent Sexual Partnership in HIV Transmission: The Historical Evolution, the Present Practice and Theology, and Future Intervention. Fr. Martinho Maulano

- The Socio-Cultural Perspectives. Bishop Mabuzo

- Multiple Concurrent Partnerships – Defining the Problem: Causes and Effects the Gender Perspective; Dr Nyambura Njoroge and Revd Pauline Wanjiru

Lyn @ "Rolling On and Rolling Out: Circumcision and Sexual Health, 2010 and Beyond". 8/4/2010

The Centre for the Study of AIDS at the University of Pretoria hosted the second colloquium on circumcision and sexual health. This was hosted by Professor Gary Dowsett (La Trobe University Melbourne) and Professor Peter Aggleton (University of Sussex).

Powerpoint presentation of two of the talks are available below:

- Opening Address. Professor Gary Dowsett, PhD, FASSA

- Sex, Sexuality and Sexual Health by Peter Aggleton 

Lyn @SABCOHA Breakfast - Business/Faith-based Cooperation on HIV. 25/03/2010

 Together with about 50 representatives of business and faith based organisations Lyn answered the invitation from SABCOHA, which read

“In light of Governments’ renewed commitment to combating the spread of HIV and treating those already infected, Business and Faith-based Organizations both have a role to play in extending and complementing the services offered by Government.

How do Business and Faith-based Organizations ensure collaboration in order to capitalize on each other’s strengths and areas of specialization to strengthen Government’s HIV programs? How can Business and Faith-based Organizations raise the response to another level in order to prevent further infections, improve access to treatment and help meet the targets of the National Strategic Plan?”

On the panel was Abdia Naidoo (Baha’i Health Agency), Pastor John Thomas (Living Hope), Gen Sec Eddie Makue (SACC), Paul Germond (ARHAP), Chief Rabbi Hendler. Brad Mears from SABCOHA chaired the session.

The highlights Tweets from the conference (remember these are limited to 140 characters!):

You can read the SABCOHA press release here.

Lyn and Jan @ Microsoft's "ICTs for NGOs" Day. 15/03/2010

From the invitation:

"As part of its aims to strengthen its role and contribution to the NGO sector, Microsoft, together with SANGONeT will be hosting a one-day seminar on 15 March 2010 at the Microsoft offices in Bryanston, Johannesburg, to discuss ways in which NGOs can use ICTs more strategically.

In the State of ICTs in the South African NGO Sector 2009 survey, conducted by World Wide Worx on behalf of SANGONeT, and sponsored by Microsoft and the NDA, it was found that technology is increasingly impacting on all aspects of the NGO sector. The study showed that for the first time NGO decision-makers are becoming adept at cutting edge tools like mobile applications and social networking services. However, these are mostly being used in their personal capacity, with half of all respondents using local social networking services, but only 6% of them using it in pursuit of the goals of their organisations. The benefit of the pervasiveness of the personal use of advanced tools will be a faster adoption of these tools and methodologies, going forward. It is anticipated that many new platforms and applications, primarily focused on mobility, will become the mainstay of technology adoption in the NGO sector."

Lyn tweeted from the session:

Lyn @ Community Building Workshop. 2-3/03/2010

I attended the Community Building workshop with Peter Block and Symphonia for South Africa.  These workshops are "about the nature of real transformation and what kind of leadership is required to achieve it."

The workshops focus strongly on possibilities, rather than problems, an approach we have spoken about after the African Religious Health Assets Conference and our visit in Kenia where we learnt about the SALT methodology

Tweets from the workshop included:

Minie @ AIDS Consortium BUA. 02/03/2010

Minenhle Moyo (Churces, Channels of Hope facilitator and Regional Representative for Zimbabwe) attended the session and shared her report with us:

Community Champions - Rhulani Lehloka

 Launched Heroes Campaign in 2009 where they encourage prominent people in communities to talk about stigma . Each month a hero is launched and they share their journey with HIV (profile). People are looking for those who will be open and testify in their own communities and not those from other places. Hence this year the focus on communities. There is therefore need to engage communities in 2 parts or levels:

1. Using the AIDS Charter

2. Sharing of personal stories and community dialogues to inform the AIDS Charter.

 Currently, The AIDS Consortium is working with the following number of Support Groups in its 3 provinces:  

 Between March and November 2010 it will work with 9 Support Groups in its campaign as it profiles the journeys of HIV positive prominent members of communities. It will also conduct trainings for these groups.

 Questions: What about youths living with HIV in these areas, how are they being engaged in fighting stigma and how will the work be monitored.

In response to the questions, participants were made aware of and referred to the components of the AIDS Charter.

 Challenges: Of the 3 provinces taking part in this campaign (Gauteng, Limpopo and North West) Limpopo was not represented in the profiles. It was also difficult to find a black, heterosex prominent man. Their view on such issues is that one spoils their business if they share their HIV status, they will no longer get customers or clients.  

When a gay person shared their status, a pastor could not understand it, showing how people still do not understand issues to do with their health and rights.

Group Work on Child and Maternal Health followed. This involved Managing HIV and AIDS symptoms in children, universal precautions, disclosing status to children, issues of infection and breastfeeding, progression of HIV in children and Post Exposure Prophylaxis PEP. (notes provided in previous meeting)

 Highlights: New guidelines announced by the President of SA; That pregnant women are to start ART when their CD4 count is 350. Children under 12 years will from APRIL 2010 receive ARV's.

 Next meeting: Child-Headed Households and OVC

Lyn @5th SAHARA Conference. 30/11- 3/12/2009

The 5^th SAHARA Conference was the first opportunity I used Twitter to communicate significantly directly from a conference. This technology provides wonderful opportunities, but also challenges me to provide “Info bytes” of 140 characters or less!

Feedback from the conference:
·    On my way to the 5th SAHARA Conference, focusing on social and cultural aspects of the epidemic - will tweet highlights 9:54 AM Nov 30th, 2009 via web

Dr Olive Shisana: Implementation of HIV Prevention interventions that work

Behavioral Intervention

Little evidence of behaviour change in abstinence, microfinance, or concurrency interventions. (I wonder if this is because of poor programmes, poor science, lack of research?+

Other points of Interest

6.2% girls age 15-17yrs in Swaziland are already HIV positive, by age 23-25 this is 43%. 32% Malawian 15-17 year olds had sex in last year 

In many Southern African countries more girls in 20-24 age group from rich backgrounds are HIV positive than from poor areas.

Multiple partners in young girls in Uganda increasing from 1998 to 2005

INERELA+: Address the six evils in faith based HIV response: Shame, Stigma, Discrimination, Denial, Inaction, Misaction

Mucosal cells of inner foreskin is the area where HIV gains entry – not the glans

Structural and contextual factors – from SANAC plan

5.4 million South Africans are HIV+” – In Gauteng 1.55 million people living with HIV; In Durban more people are HIV+ than in Brazil

Urban Informal areas have double the prevalence than formal urban

Caregivers have

We need to move beyond Afro-Pessimism to concrete action to continuously improve - starting at you own area of responsibility and influence and moving out in ever expanding circles.

“Over 400 delegates gathered in Midrand, South Africa for the 5th SAHARA Conference recently. Participants came from countries as far afield as India, Pakistan, the US, Germany, and Australia, and from 26 African countries, including Uganda, Togo, Ghana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Gambia, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Why this conference?

Highlights

Lyn @ National Consultation Of Churches And Christian Organisations In Response To The Plight Of OVCs. 5-6/11/2009

 I took my first steps in using Twitter during this conference - the 'tweets' are immediately available on Twitter at lyn4caris as well as the front page of the website:

My Tweets from the Conference were only via the Twitter website at this stage:

More on the Conference from the James !:27 Trust website, where you can also access extensive documentation on the conference

In April 2008, the National Initiative for the Reformation of South Africa (NIRSA) was launched, the purpose of which was to chart a map for the reformation agenda for the country and to consolidate the battle facing the giants as identified at SACLA II. 

The NIRSA declaration marks a historic document setting out the battle plan for the body of Christ in bringing a “rebirth of hope, faith, confidence and renewed vision of what our nation can be under God”.

In particular, the NIRSA declaration in response to the orphans and vulnerable children crisis states: “We resolve to explore how the church, along with the government and appropriate NGO’s can embrace in a new way the huge challenges before our nation of dealing with the poor, marginalised and destitute, most especially orphans, widows and refugees. One logical extension of this concern is for Christian couples to be open in new ways to adopting orphans”.

Lyn @ the 32nd General Assembly of the ICW 16/10/2009

In October 2009, the 32nd General Assembly of the International Council of Women was hosted by the National Council of Women in South Africa. As part of the activities, they asked Lyn to chair and help organise a full day seminar on the topic “Caring for Women and Children Living with AIDS”

 The following reports were part of NCW news, the Journal of the National Council of Women, Volume 79, Number 1, published in March 2010.

• Feedback from Participants
• Report on Seminar and presentations

Feedback from Participants

Our Seminar on “Woman and children suffering from HIV/AIDS” chaired by Lyn van Rooyen of CARIS, the Christian AIDS Resource and information Service, was a revelation to most of us, and there were many tears. Many of those attending took a pledge to assist AIDS victims in the future.

Jeanne Luyt, SA NCW President

The excellent presentation of the numerous top speakers at the seminar touched the audience. The emotion was real when speakers mentioned personal experiences.

Cosima Schenk-Incoming President

Participants were stimulated by informative lectures and discussion of important issues for women. I congratulate NCW South Africa on the Seminar addressing issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The high standard of speakers put this important issue in perspective.

Dame Judith A Parker - a returning board member from Australia.

The day spent with well-informed speakers on HIV/AIDS was inspiring. To know that the passion and knowledge of so many must surely bring solutions, and is a large step forward.

Elizabeth Bank – New Zealand

A major seminar on the subject of HIV/AIDS, and its effects on women both as carers and victims, was arranged in South Africa as part of the Conference. 1000 people die every day in South Africa as a result of AIDS. Many informative contributions came from groups, both black and white, working in this field, together with many health experts, speaking on subjects such as “Stigma and Attitudes”, “Reality of living with HIV/AIDS”, “HIV, Gender and Violence” and “Mother to child transmission”. The need to persuade people to take the antiretroviral drugs, which can help against the disease, particularly in children, is a constant struggle, as there is some local mistrust that medicine can in fact make the disease worse. The role of women as Carers is vital, although many are also victims of the disease, and many widows and older women are left to care for orphans with little support. The related questions of domestic violence, and of women and rape were also included.

Report to ECICW members from Grace Wedekind, ECICW President.

At the Gala dinner - Janet Louis, SA NCW President; Jackie Reymann; Jeanne Luyt; Cosima Schenk, incoming president ICW, Lyn van Rooyen

Report on Seminar and presentations

By Mrs Vera Oosthuizen, Methodist Women’s Auxiliary

The venue was ideal, as the hotel is in spacious grounds away for the city. Despite the horrendous state of the roads and the volume of traffic – let alone the standard of driving – the hotel is accessible within reasonable travel time, and parking available at the conference centre.

Delegates were seated at long tables – the public address system operated well and clear laptop presentations were made. Tea was available in the foyer, served by pleasant and efficient waitresses. Excellent lunches were served in one of the many restaurants. The comfort of the ± 200 delegates was of prime importance.

The president of ICW, Dr Anamah Tan, welcomed delegates and dedicated the seminar to the late Shirley-Anne Munyan who was a loyal supporter of the Council. Several tributes were paid.

Another welcome visitor was one of our members, an Appeal Court Judge, Sharmin Ebrahim, who had driven all the way from Bloemfontein to spend an evening with us before attending the Seminar.

Ms Lyn van Rooyen, Programme Manager, CARIS (Christian AIDS Resource and Information Service), in the Chair, set the scene for the speakers, who among them have many awards and distinctions. Each speaker promised to make a difference to people affected by HIV/AIDS. It is necessary to move from head knowledge to lip knowledge and to make our voices heard. Delegates had the opportunity to join in a pledge to make a difference in their communities.

Professor Glenda Gray – Director of Perinatal HIV research unit, Associate Professor of Paediatrics.

Theme: Paediatrics and SA Aid Vaccine Initiative – the Impact of HIV on Woman and children in South Africa.

When Professor Gray started research of HIV, three women in 100 were infected. This rapidly became three in 10. Most deaths in hospitals are due to HIV/AIDS, which is no longer an exotic disease. The Government has not been good at acknowledging the disease, so woman especially, took the Government to task and managed to obtain anti-retroviral medicine.

Globally, two million children are living with HIV. There is a slow decline in the death rate because of the availability of ARV medicines. Among adults, HIV is found in al professions and walks of life. In one year, 4000 teachers died, and there is also much absenteeism. In South Africa, the psychological/economic ramifications are very serious and here the infant mortality rate is increasing. For women being tested and taking the correct medicine the tide is turning. However, TB (especially the drug-resistant type) is on the rise.

The cost to South Africa is 4 billion dollars, with 900 million dollars spent on medicines and vaccine research. It takes many years to produce the necessary vaccines for various diseases. No vaccine is 100% effective, as it must act as rapidly as the infector, which is very rapid in HIV. The vaccine must also be diverse to cover the diversity of HIV. No person is ever cleared of HIV infection. In 1999, Eskom and the Department of Health funded HIV vaccines. No animal carriers were used for testing, as this must involve adolescents, a very difficult undertaking. They form 1/5 of the world population, with 85% living in developing countries. For nursing mothers, the vaccine must be administered for the duration of breastfeeding. HIV was identified in the 1980’s and the drug AZT was widely used in 1993.

Science is very important in the control and cure of HIV. In Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) the risk of transmission depends on the level of the disease, whether it is in-utero or at delivery or during breastfeeding. African mothers face the deaths of their babies through either breastfeeding or the onset of acute diarrhoea from whatever food is available. An infected woman loses her immunity and treatment therapy is too late at birth.

How can women/mothers help to minimize or eradicate HIV? Many women are already infected and also caring for HIV families. These women still need to lobby government and have political commitment. Sadly, research favours other epidemics and diseases. There is also social resistance to ARV drugs – patients fear the stigma. Research must be ongoing. Mauritius, the Seychelles and South Africa are the only African countries to contribute towards research.

Charlene Smith – Journalist and Author:

Subject: Surviving rape and HIV

The global situation for women is worsening. Charlene paid tribute to Fran Cleaton-Jones (Advisor: Child, Family and Youth) who lobbied repeatedly for DNA database, as rapists are always involved in other crimes. In this country, policing and rape care is minimal. If the world relied on politicians we would still be in skins and hunting.

There is power in each one of us. We are helpless until we act, insignificant until we step forward. No one can hear us until we speak. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world” We become extraordinary when we achieve impossible goals. We must acknowledge events, try to go forward, be positive, believe in ourselves, and the human spirit and have courage. A sense of humour is important, as is humility. We must never discriminate, as that exposes insecurity. An attitude of gratitude should prevail with an awareness of the planet, which we should then protect for our children. Only then can we cope with rape. Gang rape is perpetrated 40% of the time, so immediate testing for HIV is imperative. As a rape victim, Charlene was the first person to agitate for ARV medication. Too little is done to extend treatment and care to rape victims, especially as regards the side effects. The stigma attached to rape means that women receive no support, especially from other woman. Fewer than 3% of rapists are convicted. Why is there no campaign against rape?

Concern for physical health come first, eg testing for HIV and Hepatitis B. Psychological counseling is not the immediate necessity, and can follow when the victim is ready. Local police officers are ignorant of interview techniques and often don’t visit the scene at all. Police intervention is lacking, so no arrests are made despite 6-8 rape cases each week. Very low statistics are recorded because of poor policing.

Rape may very well be the result of increased drinking by young women. Rape also results in 20% of reported HIV. In South Africa, 1 in 4 men admitted rape, some repeatedly. Fewer than 15% of reports results in arrest, fewer than 3% in conviction.

“Protecting women and girls is how we protect the world” – Sarah Brown. The first post-rape protection is ARV medication to prevent HIV, and medication to prevent pregnancy. The second is to know the symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome (vomiting, pain, weight loss then gain, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, addictive behavior). Then we must move on and not remain locked in the rape.

Professor Ezra Chitando – EHAIA (Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa) programme Of World Council of Churches.

Subject: Stigma and Attitudes

“It is better to build boy than to repair me.” A social vaccine is needed to build better boys and men. The story is told of a little boy called Doubt, who was HIV positive and dying. His death started and initiative to turn doubt into hope. Another story, in the Bible, tells of a huge crowd being fed. It numbered 5000 not counting women and children. Even then, men had n perspective and interests apart from men. Yet HIV statistics include women and children. They are counted. They are counted too as carriers, survivors and volunteer workers. Grannies also have roles as carers though they may not know where the next meal is coming from. HIV has instigated an epidemic of stigma and condemnation. “What did she do that she now has HIV? What did she do to deserve that? The victim lives a life of silence, secrecy, shame, hopelessness and despair. Her gender is against her. It is already difficult to be a woman in an African patriarchal culture, especially if she has the “woman’s disease”. As hard as it is to be a woman, it is doubly difficult to be Black. Africa is politically and economically poor.

Life is a struggle for an orphaned child living with adults in the role of parents. Government help is slow and erratic. Politicians don’t count women and children except for voting. Ministers of the Church don’t count women and children except as bodies to fill churches, employers except to fill quotas. Where would the world, and Africa, be without women and children? They must become the part of the community that count, have a sense of responsibility and enter into strategic partnerships. The mothers must grow the boys into men that count.

There is now a fatigue about the HIV/AIDS problem. But we cannot afford to be tired. Ahead is a long winding road, but we cannot afford to give up.

DOUBT MUST BECOME HOPE AND PROMISE.

GOD BLESS AFRICA

Ms Toni Zimmerman – Individual living with HIV

Topic: Challenging assumptions of who is vulnerable

“Look at me! I’m 42 and have had HIV for 20 years. That doesn’t open up any dating possibilities.”

Toni is the eldest daughter of an Afrikaans preacher living in a small town. At the age of 22 she found herself HIV positive, not married, pregnant and without a partner. He deserted her.

The first ten years of illness were years of breakdown, with everything lost. Toni had known nothing of HIV, and indeed nothing of life.  At that time there was no treatment for the disease in South Africa. The emotional battle started with having to tell her parents, and Toni’s father just said, “What can we do?” knowing that the stigma is more killing than the virus. Toni’s mother blamed herself. Toni had no medicine through the pregnancy and birth and the little boy was diagnosed as HIV positive. In 1996, Toni became ill and prepared her family for her death. The next year her 7 year-old son died. Suffering HIV was not as bad as losing her child. Things were not good, with no work, no partner and no son. The family suffered, afraid that Toni would succumb because she wasn’t fighting for life.

Then Toni started dancing classes, Latin American and ballroom, and entered the world championship. The second ten years of living with HIV were years of recovery. An ARV drug programme was started, leading to good health and work opportunities. Women have issues – self-image, self-confidence and self-esteem. Toni couldn’t look in a mirror because of a side effect of ARV treatment – fat in the body. This caused deep depression, as her work entailed travel and overnight stays in hotel rooms lined with mirrors. A huge reality check forced Toni to make decisions. Would she remain depressed or become grateful for her health? She learned to groom herself, look in the mirror and say, “You’re OK!”

Toni is blessed with having education, her parents, her work and medical aid. So she must give hope to women who face walls and teach healthy living and the rights of women. Thanks to science she will survive another ten years.

Mrs Emily Tjale

Subject: Caring for HIV at grassroots

Emily’s family – brother, sister and nieces – has HIV. It is important to disclose the status in order to seek help and possible treatment. Child-headed families have no property rights as these are taken over by the adult family members. The women have to act as social workers and caregivers and mothers. Physical setbacks are enormous, with people having to walk ± 5km for water, which is then paid for. Local leaders scorn the caregivers, calling them names. Referrals to clinics and health professionals are not honoured.

Emily runs an academy for caregivers. Even then she was told that the cost of attending this ICW Assembly could feed 5 families. Caregivers need women (especially white women) to lobby Government, though it is essential to have relevant information and statistics. The United Nations Assembly approved a resolution to make caregivers professional workers.

Ms Carol Dyanti – Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry

Topic: Practical support of children affected by HIV in Soweto

“No man stands as tall as he who stops to help a child” Greek proverb

“Nothing pays more dividends than attending to the needs of the child” Nelson Mandela

The impact on the child affected by HIV is mainly psycho-emotional. There is the loss of the family unit. There may be no schooling because he is caring for the family. Constant trauma is suffered because of the ongoing infection through the family. The child is moved from home to home as each ne family is infected. A great lack of communication exists between parents and teenagers with the result that young girls are not receiving sex education, and pregnancies occur. Grannies are bewildered, as they live by their own standards of the past.

Programmes designed to help children are facing the loss of funding, as psychological needs, are not seen as important by donors. Money is required to supply physical, education and cultural support. Children have a right to protection, spiritual upliftment, and education, health care, nutrition and family preservation. The last is the right of parents as well along with housing assistance and participation in awareness campaigns and social upliftment. In other words, the spirit and values of UBUNTU.

“Race Against Time” by Stephen Lewis is recommended reading.

Dr Adrienne Wulfsohn – Family Medicine, University of Witwatersrand

Theme: Domestic Violence – The Silent Epidemic

Domestic violence is a greater epidemic than any other. Statistics reveal that one in two children will be sexually abused, and one in three boy children. Adrienne herself survived domestic assault for twelve years. This involved rape, verbal/financial/psychological abuse. She was unable to stop it and allowed abuse to her child. She was also too embarrassed to report it.

Domestic violence occurs and can take the form of verbal, emotional and/or physical abuse, sexual intimidation and stalking. If reported, police may advise against a court case. There is now a Domestic Violence Act and a Child Care Act, also Child Justice.

Adrienne’s husband threatened the family, including children aged 7 years and 16 months respectively, and displayed a firearm. This threat occurred in 2007 and there has been no police action at all since then. Officialdom doesn’t help, as court hours are 9h00 – 12h00 and 14h00 – 15h00. The court must ensure that the Domestic violence Act fits the circumstances. The police have certain duties to fulfill – currently there are more than 95 000 reported cases, each needing compulsory HIV testing, services to the victims of trauma and enrolment on the sexual register (if appropriate). Adrienne’s case took eight months to process to the final order. The Child Care Act is not yet fully operational and a child may have to testify in front of the perpetrator. Education is needed so that police and officers of the court can carry out their duties properly.

Dr Carol Hofmeyr – Keiskamma Trust, Eastern Cape

Topic: Confrontic AIDS and poverty with Art in a small Eastern Cape Community.

The Keiskamma River mouth is in a beautiful part of the country. Sadly the harshness of life there results in 2 to 3 funerals each week. Poverty there means not knowing where the next meal is coming from, having furniture and possessions put out by the local council and a husband with no job. The only riches are cattle. Carol showed slides of a tapestry created by the local women depicting the history of the area including the conquest of the Xhosa nation by the British. This tapestry was exhibited by the National Arts Festival and now hangs in the Parliament building. All art appeals to people in a way that nothing else can.

Another tapestry is based on the Issenheim Altar triptych, which depicts the dying Christ. In the modern version, a Xhosa woman is the centre of the altarpiece – a dying AIDS victim. The Issenheim figures were victims of plague, with the 21^st century deaths attributed to AIDS. Women embroidered scenes of good times and happy events in the community, also forms of worship, funerals (very important in their culture) and gravestones. This tapestry, 6m x 4.5m was exhibited on World Aids Day and also in St James Cathedral, Toronto.

Disease, especially HIV, cannot be treated if poverty is nearby. Woman want help for the men who stay at home and drink and beat their wives. There is a need to train and change men, starting with the child.

Ms Thembe Shongwe – Shiselweni Home-Based Care Programme, Swaziland

Subject: Caring for people living with HIV in low resource setting. Challenges of people living with HIV – Mother to Child transmission and stigma

Thembe told a personal story of the work being done by 500 trained carers, many infected with HIV. They ask no recognition for the work they do, sharing food and clothing and holding the hands of the sick people. Their motivation is “love thy neighbor” and they share with the have-nots. Under-resourcing is in the households and there is never a complete set of requirements. A bed-bath became a floor-bath with now towel or rags available, certainly no medicine, gloves, linen or soap. Health services are not available at all hours or even accessible – a visit to the clinic costs R100. There is no clean water, wood for fires must be fetched, and even food such as fruit is subject to the seasons. The resources are the women with their selflessness, dedication, laughter, music and sharing of everything. They have learned the lesson that the disease is for everyone, not just prostitutes. The “vision and the mission” of Shiselweni is to be the hands and feet of Christ in the community. Poor people are unselfish, giving time and knowledge, using whatever is available, begging and borrowing. Worthy care is family involvement, though political and traditional leadership must be included.

Mother to Child transmission is a major concern. Childbirth and care of the infant take part within the extended family, especially where polygamy is practiced. The mother has to accept the situation, and turn to the elderly people for counseling. However, the community needs to be educated that HIV is not the disease of witchcraft. The stigma of having HIV results in sufferers isolating themselves, being excluded by other people. Women lose their conjugal rights, are forbidden to touch food and face hostility from other wives. The only hope is treatment and encouragement to persevere.

“Women, walk on fast, you’re on the right track”

Nelis and Lyn @ Understanding and Mainstreaming HIV & AIDS-Competence For Churches 10/09

Nelis reports: 

From 12-15 October, 2009, Lyn and Nelis attended the consultation on “Understanding and mainstreaming HIV & Aids-competence for churches” in Nairobi, Kenya. This consultation has been organised by EHAIA (Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa – World Council of Churches) Southern & Eastern Africa.

Space was created to listen to numerous stories from participants and organisations.These were complemented by a field visit to a community programme facilitated by the Salvation Army in Kithutuni .All participants were deeply touched by the courage, strength and hope of the HIV action group they met.

• A definition of HIV competent congregations
• Approach to HIV competence
• Measurement of HIV competence
• Scale
• Addressing issues and drivers of the epidemic
• Faith context
• Service and systems

Continuous discussion on the different aspects of HIV competent congregations resulted in very stimulating guidelines for taking up the challenge to grow to be compassionate HIV competent communities.

All participants agreed that the consultation challenged them to take lessons learned to their own organisations and programmes and to find ways of implementing what they have learned.

 It was not all serious work! Ricardo kept everyone awake and invlolved and even inspired Lyn, Marai and April to be an elephant!

Nonceba @ bua@AC - 09/2009

The AIDS Consortium is a human rights organisation aimed at promoting a non discriminatory response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic based on people’s basic human rights as enshrined in South Africa’s constitution. Through capacity building, networking, information dissemination and community engagement programs, The AIDS Consortium helps CBOs NGOs, FBOs and individuals coordinate and strengthen their response to HIV and AIDS in their communities.

AC has monthly forums or sessions called bua@AC, these sessions encourage networking, comradeship and skills transfer, debates and discussions that challenge the myths, beliefs and behaviours that continue to drive incidence, human rights violations and stigma and discrimination. Being part of these meetings is such a mind blowing experience; especially because you get to hear from other people, their experiences and challenges but you also hear of success stories.

Nonceba reports that the theme for the month was Monitoring & Evaluation of programmes.

This month’s focus was on measuring the work that we do in our communities and how successful are we in making sure that we are achieving our goals. So this month’s bua session was challenging organisations and showing them the importance of monitoring and evaluating their projects or programmes.

They also introduced a program called  SOWETO CARE SYSTEM database software, which is designed to facilitate administration of NPOs, focussing on home-based care, orphans and vulnerable children, and voluntary counselling and testing. Clients, employees, home-visits, client needs and programs can be entered and updated, and comprehensive reports for management and donors are easily generated. The system is easy to use and flexible

About the HEROES Campaign

The “HEROES campaign” is an AIDS Consortium initiative responding to the negative perception of classifying HIV and AIDS as an outcome of sexual excess and low moral character. This campaign is a call to prominent people to ‘come out’ and normalise HIV, hence the campaign pay off line – HIV…share your journey. This month’s hero Mettah Nyathi who is a traditional healer who has been living with HIV for more than four years. As a traditional healer,  being HIV positive herself, she sees her role in her community as that of bridging the gap between traditional and western ways of healing. She has been on ARV therapy for more than two years and is a witness to what ARVs can achieve – “There is no traditional medicine that can treat HIV, but ARV work – they boost the immune system” she says. Mettah is very determined to drive more collaboration between traditional healers, NGOs and clinic in her community!

This month’s hero sparked an intensive debate during the session on ARV’s and traditional medicine, unfortunately she wasn’t present at the meeting because she couldn’t miss the bus to go fetch her monthly medication from the clinic.

Lyn @ OM/Pro Christo Missions Conference. 8/09

CABSA realises that missionaries, especially those in Africa and Asia, have a specific need to be “HIV competent” and to deal with the challenges HIV poses in their work. 

CABSA uses various opportunities to make this group aware of the services we provide that can support and equip them in their often very challenging work. 

CABSA was for the second year represented at the Missionsfest in Pretoria, and also placed advertisements in the Missionsfest magazine. We use our relationship with the Christian Literature Fund to advertise to users of their catalogue, many of whom are involved in missions work. 

In August, CABSA was for the first time represented at the PRO Christo/OM Missions Conference in Kabwe in Zambia.

More than 500 missionaries and organisations from Africa and abroad used every minute of the three and a half days to equip themselves to do their work as well as possible.

Nico and Alma Leonard, trained CoH facilitators from AIDS Hope South Africa presented a lively and well-attended introductory HIV workshop.

Lyn van Rooyen, representing CABSA, speaks of the eagerness of especially the Zambians to learn.  “There was a huge amount of interest in our stall and so many requests for Channels of Hope training, or any resources.  The booklets I took were hopelessly inadequate.  We also had a number of applications for resource packs.”

This interest from people and organisations which might not otherwise hear of CABSA, emphasised the importance of CABSA’s representation and participation at a diverse range of events.

Tunde at The International Conference on Missions in Cameroon. 8/09

Channels of Hope facilitator, 'Tunde Fowe, represented CABSA in Cameroon in August 2009

The weather was unusually bright and traffic unexpectedly light when I made my way to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday the 5^th of August, 2009 for a planned trip to Douala in Cameroon for an International Conference on Missions. The flight this bright afternoon was a combined flight to Douala, Cameroon and Libreville, Gabon and it was the only one flying the route that day. As expected, it was full to capacity. I was pretty fortunate to get a seat on this “overbooked” flight.

When I got to the airport, it became obvious to me that apart from those of us who were going for a short trip or probably returning from a conference in Nigeria, this flight was a choice flight for Nigerian businessmen who have interests in the West Africa sub-region. I could tell this from the heavy luggages that were being checked in at the counter.

Time was short, so I made my way quickly through the immigration to the boarding gate and then onto the plane. The less than two hours flight afforded me the opportunity to take a well-deserved nap in the middle of a “crazy” week. The bright clouds completed the picture and I had a sweet dream. I dreamt of a transformed Africa. I dreamt of a continent freed from the shackles of systemic poverty, gender discrimination and social injustice. I dreamt of empowered communities that could adequately respond to the issues of drought and massive erosions. Sweetest of all, I dreamt of a continent where HIV and AIDS was no longer a challenge. In the midst of this came the voice of the captain over the loudspeakers, instructing the cabin crew to prepare us for landing. I felt upset. I wished the flight were longer. Before I could think of a way back into my dream, the plane landed at the Douala International Airport.

We were welcomed at the airport by a young vibrant man by the name of Bernard. I got to learn that there were three of us from Nigeria on that flight who were headed for the conference. The first is an American professor teaching in a Nigerian University, the other a pastor of a Church in central Lagos and my humble self. We were huddled into a saloon car and started off a four-hour journey to Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital where the conference was billed to hold.  

The conference started off on that Thursday morning on the campus of the Protestant University in Yaounde on a beautiful note, with participants streaming in from all over Cameroon. The conference was attended by over 200 persons who are pastors, missionaries and evangelists. We learnt this is the first time that Protestants and Pentecostals would meet together under the same roof. This we believe is a new beginning for the Church in Cameroon. This first day featured talks from different speakers (only one delivered his talk in English, the others in French) on the theme of the Conference, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields…” (John 4:35).

I was originally billed to speak that first day but due to an unfortunate mix-up, it did not happen. So, my talk was shifted to the next day (8:30-10:00am). Friday morning came and I mounted the dais. I started off by introducing CABSA and what she does. Next, I sampled the understanding of the participants on the subject of HIV and AIDS and its mode of transmission. I got some enlightened responses, but there was one that elicited a mixture of shock and laughter. A pastor who incidentally is a “deliverance minister” explained that HIV is a spell cast on a person or family. He went on to recall a vivid experience he had while “ministering deliverance” to an entire family including a newly-born child that was afflicted by this spell, leaving the man of the house dead. The climax of his story was when he described what happened during the “deliverance session”. He claimed that the “demon” responsible for this spell called HIV spoke up through a family member and identified itself. The demon, according to him, was promptly dealt with and cast out thus leaving the other members of the family safe from further afflictions. I realised that there was still an entrenched ignorance about HIV and its transmission even in that audience.

Next, I asked them to describe their feelings and reactions to the word, AIDS. I got some very horrible expressions like, “the worst kind of sin”, “reward for marital unfaithfulness”, “a just punishment from God” and so on. I was however glad when two participants mentioned words like, “compassion” and “dignity”.

This set the stage for me to do the “hypothetical scenario” exercise. Because of the large number, I demarcated the hall into three, introduced my three potential patients to them and asked them to “vote” for any of them as they deemed fit by moving to the corner designated for the names. After each round, I asked for opinions from those who moved and those who did not. Though it was not an ideal setting, the exercise surfaced a number of assumptions and ingrained prejudices.

I rounded off the session with a brief talk based on John 4 (where the Conference theme was drawn), on the encounter of Jesus with the woman of Samaria. I pointed out that Jesus broke a number of barriers to minister to that woman by the well. He broke a racial barrier (Judah and Samaria), a religious barrier (Jewish and Samaritan), a gender barrier (man and woman), a moral barrier (a righteous religious leader and a “prostitute”) and a social barrier (a respected personality and a “recluse”). I briefly showed how Jesus broke these existing barriers and prejudices and challenged them as religious leaders to do the same in the context of HIV and AIDS.

The scene that followed is better experienced than explained. An atmosphere of sobriety and calmness fell upon the hall as the leaders went before God in repentance. I called on a Church leader to round off the session in prayer. I felt much fulfilled after the session especially as I saw people who came to ask me more about CABSA and expressing their desire to become better equipped to adequately respond to the issues of HIV and AIDS on their return home.

My impression is that it was a good thing CABSA got involved in this epoch-making conference. There’s no doubting the fact that this is a good investment in the Cameroon Church.

My return journey back home is an experience I do not wish to recall. I missed my flight due to no fault of mine, was virtually stranded in Douala, and was left at the mercy of touts. Thankfully, there was another flight 26 hours after on Saturday. The return trip appeared to take longer than the previous one. The “ride” was bumpy. I felt uncomfortable putting on the same clothes I wore the previous day. I was tired but dared not sleep. I wanted to monitor the flight so that it does not take me beyond my destination. This time I could not dream.

Lyn @ When Religion and Health Align: Mobilizing Religious Health Assets for Transformation. 13-16/7/09

From 13 – 16 July Lyn attended a conference presented by the African Religious Health Assets Programme (ARHAP).

The papers and presentations of  this thought provoking conference is available  here . You can read more about the conference in the attached newsletter.

Christian AIDS Taskforce @ CARIS.07/09

CARIS VISIT REPORT

Greeting in the wonderful name of our Lord.

My visit to CARIS South Africa was very short yet fruitful I learnt a lot and was encouraged in what I was doing. It was a learning and refreshing curve for me. I learnt some new things and reminded on what I knew. 

Lessons Learnt.

Other Business

She was a great help and inspiration to me.

CAT RESOURCE ROOM OFFICER

Lyn @ Come Let Us Reason Together. 7/09

From 6-8 July 2009 Lyn and Board member Rev Johan Pieters attended “Come Let Us Reason Together”, organised by Norwegian Church AID, which brought together a group of stakeholders in a consultation on the issues of boys, men and masculinity.

Nonceba @ Prescription for Life in Soweto. 06/09

“Prescription for Life” - Advocacy by children in Soweto

Nonceba Ravuku 

About “Prescription for Life” 

Young people around the world are being encouraged to take action to help children living with HIV through an action guide launched on Universal Children’s Day, 20 November.

The guide, “Prescription for Life” provides information and resources for schools, families, faith groups and communities to empower young people to write letters to pharmaceutical companies and governments to improve testing and treatment for infants and children living with HIV. 

Writing letters

I had an amazing time on the 4 June 2009, a school allowed Paul Jeffrrey and myself to come in and take photos of the kids writing letters to the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoeledi requesting improved treatment and facilitities for children living with HIV. This was an amazing session with the Grade 7s from Isaacson Primary School in Rockville, Soweto. 

The previous week I went to the same class to have dialogue with the teenagers on HIV and challenges children who are infected and affected by HIV face in their communities and at school. I was amazed by the vigilance, honesty and willingness to be involved in programs that would make their environment and communities a better place. 

I was also saddened by the burden that these kids carry in their homes and schools, how desperate they are to see change in their communities. 

So writing letters to the Minister of Health was such a motivation for them, knowing that they may make a difference in somebody else’s life.

Nonceba at AIDS Consortium Gauteng BUA. 06/09

AIDS Consortium Gauteng BUA Meeting Report – June 2009

Nonceba Ravuku

HIV and Youth – Multiple Concurrent Partnerships

On the 2^nd June, the Gauteng bua@AC session was looking at Multiple Concurrent Partnerships as seen by the youth and how this contributes to the spread of HIV in our country. I was impressed by the large number of young people who attended this session. The participation of both youth and the elderly help them to understand the real issues facing them in their communities and households. It made it easier for both parties to come up with solutions and ideas on how to take responsibility of their own relationships and on decreasing the infections of HIV. 

Young people were given a platform to share their concerns and pressures they face in schools and community. 

Young people also stressed that poverty and peer pressure are factors that increase the risk of infection in their community and they ask their parents and teachers to start finding easier and effect ways of communicating with them. 

June AIDS Consortium’s Heroin Ms Tender Mavundla addressed young people and shared her experiences of living with HIV and choices young people make to have a better life or a life of luxury, that puts them at risk of HIV infection.  

About the HEROES Campaign

The “HEROES campaign” is an AIDS Consortium initiative responding to the negative perception of classifying HIV and AIDS as an outcome of sexual excess and low moral character. This perception discourages disclosure and fuels stigma and discrimination.

This campaign aims to challenge stigma and discrimination on the basis of one’s HIV status by encouraging discussion and disclosure. 

About bua@AC

“bua” is a Sotho word meaning “talk”; it was commonly used at activists’ meetings in the apartheid struggle. When one was making a valid point and the supporters wanted to support his/her statement, they would just say “bua”, which encouraged freedom of expression. These sessions also encouraged networking, comradeship and skills transfer. This epitomises the AC monthly meetings, hence – bua@AC.

Lyn, Nelis and Nonceba @ 4th SA AIDS Conference. 4/09

When Lyn attended the bi-annual South African AIDS Conference in Durban for the first time in 2005, she was shocked to find that there were only three references to FBO’s in the whole thick book with abstracts of the conference papers – and two of them were “church bashing”!

Since then CABSA played an important role in improving the visibility of FBO’s at the AIDS conference.

In 2007 a satellite meeting was organised which focused on FBO’s. 

This year we went even further: In conjunction with Norwegian Church Aid and the South African Council of Churches, an Interfaith Pre-conference Session was organised which dealt with HIV-competent faith communities. Various papers were delivered and the session culminated in a statement which was read at the main conference. To date 172 individuals and organisations supported the statement.

At the session papers were read by Dr Sue Parry and prof Ezra Chitando of EHAIA and the WCC; Prof Farid Esack, UJ and Positive Muslims, and dr. Vuyani Willem, SACC.

The papers and discussions did not shy away from difficult issues, for instance: the lack of information on what is happening at local level; the lack of focussing on African Indigenous Faith Communities and the need for some interreligious  dialogue.   

Both the satellite session, at a cost of R35 000, and an interfaith exhibition at the conference, at a cost of R25 000, were sponsored by Compass Foundation, which indicates an increasing awareness of the role of FBO’s in the fight against AIDS.

 The exhibition was visited by a large number of people, of whom 121 registered for the CARIS monthly newsletter.

CABSA was well represented by staff (Nonceba, Lyn and Nelis), board members (Andri Kilian and Desmond Lambrechts) and a number of Regional Representatives: Louis Peterson (Western Cape), Ann Mary Gatigha (KZN), Vhumani Magezi (Zimbabwe), Estelle Heideman (Free State) and Lloyd Khanyanga (Malawi)

Thus CABSA played a key role in making the contributions of FBO’s much more visible at the conference.

You can read the statement and reports and view photo’s from the conference with a faith focus here.  General articles and highlights from the conference are available here.

Lyn spends A Week Between Heaven and Hell. 2/09

CABSA at Operation Mobilisation leaders’ meeting in Brazil

In the course of 11 days in February this year Lyn van Rooyen experienced two worlds, poles apart.

The OM HIV ministry is a valued CABSA partner, whose role is to transform lives and communities by mobilising and equipping people to impact the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.  In Lyn’s capacity as board member of the ministry, she attended the Operation Mobilisation (OM) leaders’ meeting about 100 km from Sao Paulo in Brazil.  Afterwards she spent four days in Sao Paulo itself, as guest of CENA Ministries.

The conference, in lush surroundings, was a stimulating and spiritually rewarding experience, Lyn says.

OM is an international missionary organisation which ministers from its ships and in 110 countries.  So stimulating the meeting was indeed, with specialists from all over the world exchanging ideas. And then the spirituality:  Lyn says prayer ran like a golden thread through the proceedings.

“OM’ers really pray for each other. For them prayer is as much part of their daily lives as breathing,” she says.

And then there was Bruno – Bruno Borges from OM Brazil, one of the most inspiring and energetic organisers of the meeting. But when the HIV report was delivered, he surprised everyone by revealing that he was HIV positive. He is a living example of how a hopeless life can change.      (Bruno, Lyn and Rose in the photo

After the meeting Lyn left for Sao Paulo, where CENA Ministries showed her and seven other delegates from various countries a world as close to hell as you can get.

With good reason, a decayed area of the city is called “Rubbish Land”.  Here people are literally dumped to rot. Prostitution, drugs, corruption and street crime are rife – to an extent even us South Africans, who deal with the same problems, can’t imagine. Lyn saw a child of eight smoking a crack pipe, right next to a policeman. There is no hope, no morals, no humanity in this human rubbish heap.

No hope? Not entirely. The people of CENA Ministries told many stories of how their lives did turn around. And most often the turning point was human contact – a cup of water, a touch, a friendly word.

There is life after the rubbish heap. Just ask Bruno. 

Lyn @ ‘The Church as Channel of Hope’ URCSA Northern Synod, 13-14/2/2009

Lyn spoke at the ‘The Church as Channel of Hope’ Conference on the Response of the Church to HIV and AIDS, 13-14 February 2009.

The report of the Conference and its expected outcomes is available here.

You can download Lyn's PowerPoint Presentation below.

Nonceba @ Missionsfest 02/2009

CARIS represented CABSA in exhibitions at Missionsfest Pretoria in 2008 and 2009. In 2009 Nonceba represented CABSA and CARIS at some of the sessions:

1. On Friday 19 February 2009 I attended a session on

Missions to the Rural &Poor. The seminar covered various strategies in reaching out to the poor and rural areas. The presenter highlighted on how a lot of missionaries go to mission with a mindset of saving the world rather than caring and loving the world. He shared also on the importance of knowing the needs of the population in the area.

2. 20^th February 2009

Our Response to HIV/AIDS

In this seminar we discussed HIV/AIDS in the church and how the church can strategically respond to HIV/AIDS.

We also discussed about the fears that the church have on HIV/AIDS and the support we as a Christian community can give to our church community and the church as a whole. We asked the question what would Jesus do? The conclusion was we have to be vessels of hope and love.

Financing your Mission

Finances in missions are still a big problem but I learnt that if we correctly prioritise; we should make the smaller issues on missions much easier. It shouldn’t be a burden to raise funds but it takes a lot of work to keep track and find the right donors or financial supporters

Lyn @ General Assembly of the ‘All Africa Council of Churches’ in Maputo. 12/2008

Lyn attended the General Assembly of the ‘All Africa Council of Churches’ in Maputo as a guest of our partners, EHAIA, the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa of the World Council of Churches.  Lyn attended a series of workshops on HIV and the church.  A very special dimension of these workshops was the participation of Christians living with both HIV and disabilities.  It was a humbling to share their experiences of ‘multiple stigma’- the stigma of being a woman, in some case a woman rejected and abused by her husband, the stigma of being HIV positive and also the stigma of living with disability in Africa.  

There were many other special moments during the Assembly – a special session focussing on Zimbabwe, workshops on Christianity and ecology; sessions on poverty and development and workshops on gender and religion amongst others. 

‘For me my participation in these unique events confirmed the need for an increased focus on advocacy in the work of CABSA.  I hope that our friends and partners will join us on this journey of exploring the different dimensions of advocacy within the church and also in the wider world in which we operate.

                       

Lyn @ "Churches and HIV and AIDS: Challenged or Changed?” Dakar, Senegal. 11/08

In late November Lyn attended a PACANet (Pan African Christian AIDS Network) conference in Dakar, Senegal.  CABSA has been involved with PACANet since its inception.   The theme for this Pre-ICASA conference was “Churches and HIV and AIDS: Challenged or Changed?”

Lyn talks of her experience:  “This was my first visit to Francophone Africa, and to some extent it was ME that was ‘challenged or changed’!  The plenary session had simultaneous translation with earphones.  If you remember to put on your earphones as soon as someone starts speaking in French or Portuguese, this works very well.  Once we split into theme groups, it was not so easy!  I was the facilitator for the ‘prevention track’ of the conference.  As you know, this is often one of the most difficult areas for the church to deal with.  Just imagine this difficult topic, and it goes like this: I welcome everyone but then I must remember to stop, and wait as the translator translates what I said (as I do not understand French or Portuguese, I can only hope and believe that he is actually saying what I said!)  Then I introduce the session, and then I wait while the translator translates, then one of the participants say something in French, which I do not understand, then I wait for the translation, and so we went on for two days!  I developed a new respect for missionaries and aid workers who operate in this way every day!”

In spite of the language challenges and short time available, the group, representing 26 African countries, developed a reflection statement that was presented to the ICASA Conference.  In this statement, available on the CABSA website, the group reflected on the response of the church to the epidemic, evaluated strengths and weaknesses in the response, and committed to deeper dialogue and collaboration in and amongst themselves, strengthening partnerships with other stakeholders, and strongly advocating for a broader compassionate, engaging and competent response. 

(Photo: Lyn with the other South Africans participating in the conference; George Snyman van Hands@Work in Africa and Zoliwa Thabatha from the Evangelical Lutheran Church)

Nelis and Lyn @ Living Hope USAID Capacity Building Conference. 8-10/9/2008

SOUTH AFRICA FAITH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

The Living Hope Community Centre, the USAID Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and the Honorable Eric M. Bost, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, hosted the South Africa Faith and Community Development Conference held on September 8, 9, and 10, 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa.  

Presentation by Dr Lori Jenkins, World ORT

Download Documents below: 

- Powerpoint presentation

- Profile of an Ideal Non-Profit. Notes taken by E de Villiers, Building Hope Foundation.

At the conference:

Writing a proposal...

Nelis and Lyn @ Theologians Address HIV Prevention. 02/02/08

Christian theologians address HIV prevention with truth and hope

The consultation, convened by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, brought together 35 theologians, ethicists, practitioners and Christians living with HIV. It provided a valuable opportunity for a diverse group representing many countries and church traditions to have a frank and open discussion, in a safe space, of key and sensitive topics around HIV prevention. The focus of this group was to share how Christian faith and practice can deepen engagement, compassion, and effectiveness in HIV prevention efforts -- not simply by a focus on personal behavior, but by addressing the wider social, political and economic injustices in society which make some people more vulnerable to HIV infection.

Atieno Odenyo, regional partnerships advisor for UNAIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized the roles and responsibilities of faith communities in the international HIV arena. She challenged churches and faith communities to be involved in HIV prevention on the global, national, community and individual level.

Prof. Bryan Massingale from the USA described the consultation as a “moment of hope for the church to articulate a framework to more effectively address the issues of prevention”.   The report of the consultation will be an important tool to catalyze further theological reflection and networking, building on the long and active involvement of faith-based organizations in the response to HTIV and AIDS. 

“We were called here to break the silence” stated participants from South America leading worship, who reminded those present that “we were called together not by a virus, we were gathered not by a disease – but by Christ speaking into our context and situation.”

When finalized, the report of the meeting will be available from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (info@e-alliance.ch) and posted on the website: www.e-alliance.ch

The consultation was supported financially by nine organizations (church-related, foundations, and UN agencies) and was hosted locally by CABSA (the Christian AIDS Bureau for Southern Africa).

Lyn @ ICTs for Civil Society Conference. 17-18/07/07

A two day conference with 280 attendees and 60 speakers was held in Johannesburg on the 17^th and 18^th July 2007. In case you are usnsure (as I was before this conference) ICT is Information and Communication Technologies and includes a wide range of technologies used for communication, including internet and cell phones.  As we use our webpage and email newsletter extensively to provide information services, I felt it is important for CARIS to know what is happening in the sector. Some of the outlines of the reports below are taken from the program on the website.

Sessions feedback, highlights and a blog on the conference will be available on the SANGONeT Website.

 Reports about sessions I attended and found particularly interesting are available here

Lyn @ YWCA International Women’s Summit on HIV and AIDS. 4-7/7/2007

As usual when attending conferences, I will start with some of my impressions but will also collect other reports were possible.

More information on the program and the speakers is available on the YWCA website.

Selected webcasts of the conference will be available on the website of the Kaiser Foundation soon. You can also visit the CEDPA website for reports.

Lyn @ 3rd SA Aids Conference. Durban. 5-8/06/07

Lyn attended the conference on behalf of CABSA:

I would like to share some first impressions with you.

 To me it seems as if the 3^rd SA Aids conference started today in a very different atmosphere to the 2^nd conference two years ago. It really seems as if a new spirit of cooperation is palpable. My first experience two years ago came as quite a shock. As a neophyte in the field I was amazed at the amount of negativity between different sectors and groups.

Since the Civil Society Summit late last year, the change in attitudes have become increasingly clear. It seems as if the rift between government and many civil society groups really have been healed. I can not begin to count how many times today I heard NSP – and most of it positive.

The inclusion of a large number of role players in the drafting of the National Strategic Plan 2007-2011 probably played a significant role in making this ‘our’ plan, South Africa’s plan, and probably contributed significantly to the positive attitude experienced today. Many of the pre-conference sessions focussed in some or other way on the plan and some of the challenges of making it work. The role and involvement of the community in the success of the plan was emphasised.

This is a theme that was also mentioned in many of the speeches in the opening session. Dr Shisana sketched the worrying realities and challenges of the South African situation in her introductory speech. She clearly indicated that the trends will have be turned around, specifically where the youth is concerned.

It was very powerful to hear the beautiful voices of the OSCA choir asking for change; the powerful rally call for societal change of a proudly positive activist; the plea of Mrs Machel for individuals and communities to address stigma, Dr Piot’s statement that for HIV programmes in the world to succeed, it is necessary for South Africa to succeed; Gcina Mhlope’s story of the ‘two Africa’s coming together; and Deputy President’s Mlambo Ngcuka’s emphasis on the role of all the sectors of society.

Throughout the day, the theme that I heard was "together", "all of us", "our responsibility", "our role", "we need everyone".

It is sad that the Minister of Health pulling out of the conference seems the one point picked up by the media, and not the general spirit of cooperation reflected in all the other sessions.

Lyn @ Race against Time Summit.30/11/06

2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church - Race against Time. Saddleback

Lyn (and CARIS) is privileged to be present at the Race Against Time conference at Saddleback Church. One thousand eight hundred Christians from all over the world came together for two days to be challenged and equipped to respond to HIV.

Lyn reports from Saddleback: 

I will try and share some of my impressions with you. The scale of this summit is difficult to convey to. To have a church with the scope and size of Saddleback is a bit overwhelming. I have been in villages that are smaller than the ‘Saddleback campus’. The human and physical resources available are huge. Everyone goes out of their way to make you feel at home and welcome.

I am unable to record everything from all the sessions, but I will try and reflect some highlights from the different sessions.

Again, as in so many occasions where one has the opportunity to meet with other Christians, the discussion and networking opportunities where a large and wonderful part of the conference. It is a privilege to meet so many brothers and sister who have been challenged by the AIDS pandemic and who have responded to these challenges in so many ways

Rick Warren welcomed everyone and emphasised that all sectors of society should be involved in addressing the problem. He said that this conference is an attempt to bring together those who might not otherwise work or talk together.

A video was shown highlighting the current situation in the world and asking if we are ‘okay with it’. The worship team leads with a song “Waiting on the World to Change” which again challenges Christians to get involved.

Kay Warren says that we can’t wait to change the world. She talks about the Word of God saying in Psalms that God listens to “The cries of the needy.” She says that she is glad that He does, because until recently the church did not listen to the voices of the needy. She tells us how her confrontation with the realities of HIV changed her view of reality. The article confronting her brought the painful reality of 12 million orphans started to haunt her.

She was faced with her own-

Her obstacles to becoming involved were:

Coming back to the USA, her husband did not feel that AIDS was something that touched him or Saddleback Church. Rick Warren tells his story:

For twenty years he was wrong about AIDS – he didn’t care, because he was to busy with other ‘good’ things. God got his attention through.

Pastor Shane Stanford shares his story as a person living with HIV since he was sixteen. He shares that his journey was in many cases a race against time and a challenge for his faith. Today he realises that HIV has shown him what God can do in your life – lessons about time, relationships,

An enthusiastic praise and worship team from Africa introduced some ‘rhythm’!

Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S Department of State emphasised the role of faith based organisations and the need for even more involvement from churches.

Richard Feachum, executive director of the Global Fund emphasised that the fight against HIV is impossible without the church.

What churches do particularly well is:

He once again emphasised the importance the Global Fund places on the faith based sector and the large amount of funding the Global Fund distributes through these channels. The role of commercial organisations in strengthening the Global Fund is highlighted.

What your Church Can Do. Kay and Rick Warren highlighted guidelines for practical involvement proscribed by Scripture:

C – Caring for the sick. Video Story of Prisca from Rwanda emphasises the difference it makes in people’s lives if they have love. Kay suggested basic to more advanced steps for getting involved

H – Handle testing and Counselling – If you don’t know your status you are in denial! Testing provides opportunities for being thankful and staying negative if you are negative. If you are positive you have the opportunity for protecting others and for positive living choices.

U – Unleash a volunteer force of talent, purpose, energy. Reaffirm role of church as change agents.

R – Remove the Stigma. Losing your job, Rejection of you and your family is part of the added challenges of living with HIV. Touching, holding and praying with people reduces stigma. People are stigmatised in all parts of the world! Stigma breaks the Father’s heart. It is not a sin to be sick! Being left to die should not be the consequence of any sin! The question is not “How did you become ill?” but “How can I help you?”

C – Champion healthy behaviour. Churches can encourage healthy lifestyles because God cares about bodies – God made it, Christ died for it, and the Spirit lives in it! It is necessary to use strategies for risk reduction as well as risk elimination – slowing the pandemic as well as stopping it.

Better still is to eliminate risk:

The church should give the right message that it and God is not anti sex, but pro – sex. God gives us rules for healthy healed abundant sex.

H – Help with Nutrition and Treatment. Dr Robert Redfield (Institute of Virology, Maryland. It is exciting to see the church poised for greater involvement and taking a leadership role. It is fundamental that churches be involved in providing care and also the greatest opportunity the church has had. Medicine has a emotional and spiritual component that should also receive attention – God heals, He wants us whole, and this is only possible with a full re-engagement of the church in health care. The imbalances in health care in different parts of the world, ‘poaching’ of health care professionals and inappropriate healthcare system is some areas is an issue that churches should attend to. The divide between church and medical facilities can and should be broken down in order to strengthen the church and the medical facilities. Only providing access to medication is ineffectual, if access to food security is not also ensured. Treatment support, transportation, and actually providing medication in churches is some of the possibilities for churches to learn. Eventually, some of the models of churches involved in health care can be brought back to America and used for other health care challenges. God did not cause HIV, but He allowed it and the suffering can be used for greater good – for the church to learn love. The church is awakening – medicine dreams of a time when there is no unnecessary suffering or early death; The church dreams that humanity and mercy should return to the world – These should be united. God gave us the choice and the responsibility to do this!

After lunch, Dr Christian Pitter of the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation graphically exposed us to the challenges of paediatric HIV care. He emphasised the importance of care in a family centred approach. The challenges of preventing MTCT were highlighted as well as the importance of treating parents and strengthening families/

Dr Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife, spoke on the challenges world wide of caring for orphans. He also emphasised the opportunity that the orphan crises presents to the church. God’s heart is about and for orphans.

In one of the many simultaneous workshops this afternoon, Elizabeth Styffe introduced some of the tools from Saddleback and provides guidelines for how to start a HIV ministry in a local congregation. This includes increasing awareness, adjusting attitudes, taking action and allocating resources.

In the session on Women and HIV, Mary Davis Fisher, United Nations special representative on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Deborah Dortzbach, international director, HIV/AIDS programs, World Relief,  spoke passionately on the specific challenges and opportunities facing women in the pandemic.

Edward Green, Ph.D., Harvard University anthropologist and AIDS prevention authority spoke on the difference between risk avoidance and risk reduction. He highlighted the fact that different prevention strategies are required in high risk and generalised populations. He explained the dangers of a strategy becoming an ideology and presented statistics showing that behaviour change is possible.

The evening session started with a video where rock star Bono pleaded for churches to stand together to wip our “stupid poverty”, that allows children to die while others live in abundance. 

The final session provided the opportunity for three pastors to show how their churches responded (or did not respond) to HIV and AIDS:

- Pastor Luis Ortez emphasised the importance of clergy training.
- Bishop Charles Blake
- Pastor John Ortberg

 Day 2

1 December 2006

Lyn shares some thoughts from day two of the Race against Time Global HIV Summit: 

The focus of the second morning was on “working together.”

Rick Warren introduced Kent Hill, director, Bureau for Global Health, USAID, who encouraged the faith based sector to work with national and multinational organisations. He emphasised, like so many of the speakers at this conference, the importance of the church and faith based organisations in addressing HIV.

Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini from the Episcopal Church in Rwanda brought the realities of the challenges the church in Africa faces to life. He emphasised the message they convey to their members about three things:

An energetic and passionate presentation by Rev Eugene Rivers III, pastor of the Azusa Christian Community in Boston, highlighted the challenges and role of the African American Pentecostal churches. He described the pandemic as a Kairos moment for the church of God where the crisis provides the opportunity for the release of the Spirit of God. According to him the local church should be involved in:

- Education
- Advocacy – standing in the gap.
- Humanitarian assistance

He highlighted the need of the church to be a prophetic voice to declare the word of God and the need for churches to challenge government to apply resources to address the challenges the world faces. He emphasised that churches in America and elsewhere can’t advocate on increased resources for war and be quiet on resources for the poor. He describes the AIDS pandemic as a revolutionary opportunity for the Spirit of God to bring His children together, and show the world hope, conscience and a witness of the love of God.

Rick Warren told participants about the Global P.E.A.C.E Plan, which he believes can address the “Goliaths” of the planet.  These Goliaths are

He describes the five things Jesus did on earth and suggested that these things could be used to address each of the major challenges of the planet.  While on earth, Jesus:

Jesus left the world with a set of instructions in Matt 10 and Luke 10, which gives us the guidelines for practising His PEACE plan in the world. The key to this P.E.A.C.E plan is:

“Ordinary people empowered by God making a difference together wherever they are” and the pillars of this plan are what differentiate it from other processes:

When the church ignores an issue, God creates organisations to step into the void. The creation of large non profit organisations unfortunately let Christians sit back and think they can and should leave aspects such as caring for the poor, hungry, youth and others to the “professionals” in these organisations.

We can not let motivation of religion get in the way of doing things or helping people. We must work together.

He thinks that it is time for a second reformation. The second reformation is not about changing beliefs but about changing of our behaviours. We must also return civility to civilization.

Senator Sam Brownback, United States Senator for Kansas, highlighted how personal health challenges and the challenges faced by friends have brought him and others closer to the Lord. The fact that he and others at this conference have been given much, place a bigger responsibility on them to give more. He equates the parable of Lazarus to the situation in America at this time and reminds Americans that their response to the need of the world may in fact determine their condition of their eternal soul.

He illustrated various examples of the unimportance of our personal barriers, perceptions and prejudices in the light of the magnitude of the needs of the world. An enormous potential coalition exists throughout the world which is waiting to come together if and when we reach out and love each other. One of his suggestions is for local individuals and groups to go to the areas of need worldwide to see and experience the realities, to become involved, to, together, change the world.

Sen Barack Obama , United States Senator for Illinois, emphasised that faith is not something you believe, but something you do and that one should never underestimate the power of passionate individuals. He told of his experiences in Kenia and South Africa and personalised the statistics by telling the story of one woman he met in South Africa. As a Christian he, and each of us, need to understand that the families, the individuals suffering are our brothers and sisters. He suggests that key aspects for addressing HIV should be:

He emphasised that the the issues surfaced in high prevalence situations can escalate other challenges and instabilities (like poverty and political instability) in communities and countries. He once again highlighted that our faith reminds us that we are all sinners and that it is not a sin to be sick, that Christ was sent to heal and reconcile situations and people, that our faith compels us to be ‘our brothers keeper’, in the USA and in the world. In this way we can get something meaningful done. He ends by continuing the story of one woman in South Africa who with courage and commitment faced the challenges and realities of her life, and made a change in her community. He challenged those present to use the resources they have to make a difference and to use this AIDS Day to tell the stories of those who overcome and made a difference.

Rick Warren reminded us of situations of inequity in the past where the church took the lead to encourage change. He exhorts us to be the face of compassion and to be the in the lead in addressing the challenges and difficulties of the Aids pandemic.

The morning is ended by a prayer for the two senators (from the right and the left) as representative of all in leadership positions in government in the country.

Senator Sam Brownback, Sen Barack Obama and Pastor Rick Warren committed themselves to being publicly tested during lunchtime. A free testing service was available to all delegates throughout the conference.

After lunch Kay introduced the next session where the presidents of four large international organisations spoke of the work their organisations do:

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, spoke of the importance of saving lives, in spite of the differences between us. Quoting II Sam 11 he spoke of the sin of David and the things he did to try and keep his sin hidden. He equated this to the reaction of many in the time of Aids.

Sammy Mah, president of World Relief, emphasised the theme of the conference “a race against time.” He quoted a NASCAR driver who said “It is amazing what can be accomplished if no-one care who is getting the credit” We can be the voice of the voiceless and work with the local church assessing local needs to create meaningful programmes. He feels that the Lord has a challenge and an opportunity for us to get involved – now!

Wess Stanford, president of Compassion International, pleaded for God’s people to make sure that this is the last generation suffering from AIDS. He reminded us that we have come far and that we have things to celebrate in spite of all that is negative – he celebrated that the church moved past the point of asking “Who have sinned” to embracing those infected. He highlighted some of the wrong steps the church, governments, business and others have taken as well as some of the wonderful thing that has happened.

He feels however, that we have not come far enough and reminds listeners that access is not pills on a shelf - that is just inventory! He suggested that churches and organisations need to take the next step where they get involved with the individuals, especially children, on ARVs.

He shared the moving history of nine year old Caroline.  He spoke about her physical and emotional pain living with HIV and watching her mother die and said that this pain is why access is not enough, education is not enough, nutrition is not enough. He spoke of the 'last mile' we should walk with those suffering.  The last mile includes some-one caring for and loving the Carolines and helping and caring for them in every aspect of their lives – the ones doing this, the ones walking the last mile is the community workers all over the world. The miracle workers of the last mile are the people of the church! The church is a viable, credible community for action throughout the world.

He spoke passionately of the work of Compassion and the partnership it has with local churches throughout the world, through which children and families receive comprehensive compassionate care and support in all aspects of their lives.  He emphasised that local churches can not do this work without the partnership and brotherhood of churches all over the world.

The greater challenge of doing the work their organisation does is not to get the church in areas of need involved – they are already involved - it is to get the ‘privileged’ church involved! He feels that the next generation will hold us accountable if we do not walk the last mile with our brothers and sisters who need us.

Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, told us how difficult it was for him initially to be exposed to the realities of poverty and AIDS – he mentioned the fears he had going into Africa for the first time. He explained how the face of AIDS in Uganda became for him primarily the face of children, and then also of woman and elders. He was ashamed, then felt compassion, then became angered and eventually resolved not to rest till the Church of Christ was awakened and involved.

From Matthews he drew parallels between the man with leprosy and people with Aids. He describes how Jesus touched the man, and how the church should touch those with Aids. He again highlighted that this crisis can not be solved by any government, any organisation or any group, without the involvement of the church in Africa, in America and elsewhere. The church has resources and has the reach to address the need.

World Vision trained 61 000 pastors in the Churches Channels of Hope programme (WOW!) in the last year. As a result of this programme 600 000 orphans and vulnerable children are being cared for through their congregations in Africa, thousand of home based carers were trained, thousands of children were trained in a life skills and sexuality programme, thousands of lives were touched. We live in a time where the challenges have never been greater, but also where the resources and abilities have never been greater. He challenged the church to BE the church. This must include:

The question facing the church today is the same one the leper put to Christ “If you are willing...” The question to us is also “Are we willing?” or are we a wealthy and apathetic church. This can be a defining moment for the church – are we willing?

Rick Warren mentions again the importance of both professional and ‘ordinary’ participation in all the issues surrounding HIV and Aids. The Willow Creek /World Vision Courageous Leadership award for congregations involved in HIV was explained.

After a workshop session, Rick and Kay Warren led the final session of the full and powerful conference, a session based on Christ’s great commission – “Because of Love”

Kay said that she prayed that everyone would leave the workshop as seriously disturbed as she is. She emphasised that the process of becoming involved in HIV should include:

Rick summarised by saying that the heart of the issue is an issue of the heart. AIDS could in fact stand for:

Rick emphasised that this can only be turned around by repentance, acceptance, presence and endurance.

He told pastors and leaders that they will have to take the lead and the heat – there will be others who do not want them to take this view, or start on this road, but the need to do what Jesus would do! 

He reminded us that the real change in this pandemic is not initiated by the pastors in the American mega-church leaders, but by the pastors in the villages caring for people. 

A video was shown showing the work of Pastor Stratton in Rwanda, who epitomises what CHURCH should be.  

Rick then introduced Pastor Stratton who conveyed a strong message of hope emphasising that this hope will come from the church.  He talked about his ministry of presence - or as he calls it the 'ministry of hugging'.  He explained that just being present in the lives of people has actually reduced the number of AIDS deaths in his community and highlighted that the church needs to care for those with HIV and Aids because God puts them on our paths.

Rick Warren thanked everyone for their presence at the conference, he thanked those involved in HIV work, and he thanked those living with HIV who survived times of despair.  He reminded us that we who are involved in the HIV terrain do not do what we do for a cause, but we do it for a person, Jesus Christ!  He reminded us that we are compelled by the love of Christ (I am sure this sounds very familiar to Churches, Channels of Hope participants!). Although as individuals or individual churches we can not do much, the combined efforts of millions of Christians can!  We can choose to watch history, or be used by God and become part of writing history. 

He invited those living with HIV to come forward to receive a blessing and prayer while a song "Use Me" is sung.  He prayed for a miracle year for all involved! 

This brought two very full and busy days to an end for all the participants and hundreds of Saddleback volunteers.  Although this report conveys a very limited impression, I believe that few people could leave Saddleback after these two days unchanged and not understanding a little bit more about HIV and the complexities of the pandemic.  I pray that many churches and Christians were encouraged and compelled by the love of Christ to minister hope and reconciliation to their brothers and sisters infected and affected by HIV. 

Thank you! 

Lyn @ Civil Society HIV Prevention and Care Congress. 28/10/06

Lyn, CARIS project manager, attended the Civil Society Congress on HIV and Aids in Randburg on the 27th and 28th of October. The prevously acrimonius relationship between civil society and government seems to have developed into one of cautious optimism. Civil society and government expressed their commitment to saving lives through an integrated plan of prevention, treatment and care and support.

The final Congress statements and resolutions can be downloaded below.

Lyn @ PACANet General Assembly. Entebbe 28- 29/9/2006.

The first Pan African Christian AIDS Network (PACANet) General Assembly was held in Entebbe on the 28^th and 29^th of September 2006.

The organisation has been operating under the auspices of a Steering Committee since it was founded and a new Board of Trustees had to be chosen. CABSA was present at the founding meeting and it was a privilege to be part of this first delegates meeting. I was privileged to represent CABSA at this meeting. Also attending the meeting was Rev Teboho Klaas, the Director: Health Programme of the South African Council of Churches and a Board member of CABSA. meant that Teboho and I could spend some time strengthening the relationship between our organisations

Although a number of governance issues and formalities had to be attended to, the ultimate focus of the assembly was on relationships, networking, fellowship and partnership. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with other Christians grappling with so many of the same issues as we are in South Africa.

Lyn van Rooyen (CARIS), Dr Edward Baralemwa (Executive Secretary PACANet) and Rev Teboho Klaas (Director: Health Programme of the South African Council of Churches) together in Uganda

The staff of PACANet under the able guidance of executive secretary Dr Edward Baralemwa did a remarkable job organising a smooth running and professional meeting at the beautiful Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel. The re-elected chairman, David Cunningham from Family Impact, steered the meeting through the difficulties of finding consensus in a very disparate group in his usual wise and calm manner. The new Board and expanded staff of PACANet committed themselves to a period of renewed effort and energy in strengthening the Christian response in Africa.

You can read the Press Release provided by PACANet below.

While in Uganda I had the opportunity of spending time with Dr. Edna Baguma, National Health/HIV Specialist of World Vision Uganda. She, together with Sam and Gladys, World Vision staff members in the area, sacrificed their Saturday to give me some idea of the work they do in Uganda, specifically in the Kasawo Area Development Area. I emphasised that I have not come with answers, but in fact came to learn from the experience they have, and the oft quoted successes of Uganda. Still, I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the needs of poor communities and my inability to offer constructive help.

I visited the Kogogola Health Centre and saw what it means when churches become channels of hope. The Pastor of this area attended a Churches Channels of Hope workshop. Together with World Vision and a number of Christian volunteers (doctors and Pharmacists) from Kampala, they started a free clinic operating on Saturdays. Although there is no power and very little infrastructure, a wide variety of medical issues are dealt with. The time spent waiting for medical care is not wasted. While people sit and wait on the veranda, health workers and advisors spend the time talking about a variety of health issues, including how to prevent malaria and HIV transmission. One of the speakers was the sheik of the local mosque. Himself living with HIV, he comes to the Christian clinic for medication, and also shares the platform with the local pastor to give HIV prevention messages! To me this is a truly inspiring example where the barriers separating people are broken down by compassion and care.   

Once again I was very aware of the universal nature of need and suffering. Here also the problems of orphans can seem overwhelming if communities are not able to unite in caring for them. The lack of financial and physical resources to truly respond to all the needs was emphasised, as well as the value added when children could be sponsored through the World Vision programmes.I constantly heard how valuable the Churches Channels of Hope programme was to those who attended, and actually experienced jealousy from those pastors outside the World Vision area who could not attend. Various ways in which this could be overcome was addressed. It was wonderful to hear how highly esteemed this programme is and to feel that, in a way, we are connected to this much larger group of people word wide who are becoming Channels of Hope. Personally, I also experience a ‘first’ on this trip. A young child was innocently playing in the sand when I came round the corner. He took one look at me and started screaming! According to the translator, this was the first time he had seen some-one with a white skin! I never thought I would become part of a poor child’s nightmares!