Community-Led Initiatives in Msunduzi HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation

1. Ward Aids Projects Msunduzi Aids Strategy Rolling out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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