MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK ? AND BRING HOPE

One of HIVAN's main goals is to support the formation of partnerships between individuals and groups from different sectors so that practical projects to assist those affected by HIV/AIDS can be launched and sustained.

The Sinikithemba/University of KwaZulu-Natal Feeding Scheme is one such project: a multi-layered partnership drawing together University staff members, students, the Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit, McCord Hospital's Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Care Centre personnel and HIV/AIDS-affected families.

The seeds of the Scheme were planted when a 3rd-year Psychology student at the NU Durban campus, who was doing a course in 'Service Learning' (in which community work is undertaken as practical experience to support theoretical study), met an elderly HIV-infected woman who had been found starving in her home. The student was deeply moved by the woman's plight, and approached her lecturer, Kerry Frizelle, for guidance as to how this woman might be helped.

Kerry takes up the story: "I understood my student's pain and her wish to provide the woman with food as often as she could and I too felt anxious about the elderly woman's hunger and poverty. But the aim of Service Learning education is to find sustainable solutions for beneficiaries, and to steer students away from creating situations in which members of poor communities would become dependent on students. Yet the students' very purpose in working in these settings is to assist as much as they can, to take action and make a difference!"

Kerry put this question to the Service Learning class as a problem for them to solve. All agreed that referring the case to Social Services was not the answer. The entire group felt helpless, until one student suggested the idea of a feeding scheme through which University staff members who could afford to donate a monthly amount would sponsor a regular supply of basic foods for a hungry, HIV/AIDS-affected family. "I approached HIVAN with the proposal," says Kerry, "and the joint outreach venture was established through partnering with McCord Hospital's Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Christian Care Centre, which was already doing this work but needed more capacity."

The Scheme is now in full operation, and at the time of writing was providing food to 30 families per month. Using the funds donated monthly by University staff via a nominal salary deduction, Dudu Zondi, HIVAN's Community Outreach Co-ordinator, purchases the food items. Through the Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit, she oversees a team of volunteers from the Student Working Group who pack, deliver and hand over the parcels at the Sinikithemba Centre.

The food items are supplied at a discount by Knowles Spar, and the paper packets are sponsored by Sappi Kraft and Nampak Sacks. The parcel contents provide emergency relief for destitute families, and consist of white mealie-meal, peanut butter, white kidney beans, brown speckled beans, fat-free powdered milk (no blends), samp, sugar, savoury soya mince and mabella porridge. Garlic will soon be included for its medicinal properties.

"The student volunteers also spend time with the families at a support group session convened weekly by Sinikithemba's social worker, Maud Mthembu," explains Dudu. "It's very informative for the students, because they increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS along with the families. For example, at a recent meeting, they learned more about microbicides and how these can empower women in self-protection."

Some of the family members who are living openly with HIV/AIDS share their experiences with the students, which is valuable for all involved. "Being open about my HIV status makes me feel free," explained one, "because the stress of keeping it secret makes one feel ill. These support groups are a great help and of course, so are the food parcels."

The Scheme shows every sign of expansion. Donations from staff are increasing every month, and soon, Dudu says, more than 50 families will be receiving food parcels. One student has offered to tutor the support group members in computer skills, and plans are in place for 27 family members to attend "Positive Living" workshops to be run by the UND Student Working Group at the Sinikithemba site.

For more information about the Scheme, contact:
Madudu Zondi. Tel: (031) 260 2132. Fax: (031) 260 2397. Email: [email protected]

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