AIDS Care

HIV/AIDS Home Based Caregiving

Trained staff and volunteers visit community members who are HIV positive, suffering from tuberculosis, or afflicted by other (sometimes undiagnosed) illnesses. They offer primary care, train relatives in how to safely and hygienically care for the ill, assist with referrals to local medical facilities, and provide therapeutic counselling to those facing terminal illness and social stigma. The “Adopt a Family” program also links volunteers from Amanzimtoti with local Zulu families in Bhekulwandle to enable service delivery to more patients in the community. This also diminishes barriers between urban/township and racially divided community members.

HIV Support Group

Each week the Seed of Hope runs support groups for community members who have HIV. The groups meet together weekly to share a meal, learn about their disease and how to stay healthy, and share their struggles and successes with other people who can relate with what they are going through.
People need to know that they are loved and accepted, no matter what their HIV status is, and these Support Groups are a big part of that. The Centre also offers vocational skills training (sewing, traditional crafts, greeting cards, etc.) to enable group members to earn an income.

HIV Testing

A Registered Nurse visits the Centre two days a week and provides HIV testing along with pre- and post-test counselling for any interested person. This nurse also provides education and information about hospitals and clinics for further care. Eventually our own staff will be trained to test, provide results and refer people to the appropriate agencies under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

Clinic Trips

Seed of Hope staff provide referrals and arrange transportation for people to travel to hospitals and clinics outside of Bhekulwandle. These trips allow people to get medical treatment, drug specific counselling, and medication prescriptions that are unavailable in the local community.

Future Goals – HIV Clinic On Site

When functional, this site will allow community members to receive testing, counselling and medical support for HIV and Aids. Currently no facility exists in the community of Bhekulwandle, and people must travel outside community for health care. Many lack government identity documents, limiting their ability to receive help. A former cafeteria facility is being renovated and prepared for use as a clinic, and a team of health professionals is being recruited as consultants and volunteers to assist with planning and operations.