In this edition:

A Good Man in Byrne Valley

Goodman Madondo is no stranger to challenges. From a young age, he has witnessed illness, death, poverty and struggle, both in his own family and across the communities within which he lives and works, but this quiet, determined man chooses to look for positive solutions to burdens and problems.

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Artists Action for Long-Life - Mind, Body, Memory Maps

In August, HIVAN hosted a workshop in the Drama Department of Natal University?s Durban campus. It focused on a range of creative voices from communities and local educational institutions, commemorating, celebrating, challenging and committing themselves to a campaign for Artists' Action Around AIDS

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FAST FORWARD! Choosing to live the best of life

During July 2003, Natal University?s School of Psychology in Durban ran a Holiday Club for Grade 11 learners from the Chesterville Extension High School. The programme was called ?Fast Forward? and focused on giving the participants life-skills and encounters that would help them to imagine and create positive possibilities for their future.

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Tender care in the Home of Life - iKhaya Lobomi Hospice

?Home of Life? might be an unusual name for a place where people come to live out their last days, but at iKhaya Lobomi Hospice in Botha?s Hill, KZN, quality of life, however short, and even restored health, are possible in the caring hands of its volunteer staff. The Hospice was set up in September 2001 by Zimele and Patience Mavata, an unemployed couple based in the community of KwaNyuswa, to help those in the area infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

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Thusanang ? giving and sharing

Thusanang is a funding information website facility sponsored by USAID, launched a year ago and hosted by the SA NGO Network (SANGONet). The web-page provides details of funding and fundraising news and events, articles on creative fundraising plans, publications and other resources, and capacity-building tools

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IsiBoniso ? sharing the experience of HIV and AIDS

In the community of Klaarwater, near Mariannhill in KwaZulu-Natal, a dedicated group of women have joined their friend and mentor, Ann Prince, to activate a communal response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by establishing a local drop-in counselling and referral centre called ?ISIBONISO?.

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Taking action - community perspectives at the SA AIDS Conference 2003

HIVAN's ?eyes and ears? were active at the SA AIDS Conference held in Durban during August this year, particularly in networking with grassroots organisations who staked their claim at the gathering through presentations, display stands, informal discussion and general sharing of materials and ideas.

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?We have a duty as South Africans to work together to relieve children and vulnerable people from hunger and poverty.? These were the words of Dr Zola Skweyiya, Minister of Social Development, to more than 200 faith leaders at a gathering in KwaZulu-Natal in October 2003. This was one among many imbizos held by the Minister to address community members and civil society organisations across the country during the past year.

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Sondela Photo Gallery

The Sondela Photo Gallery showcases events and projects featured in this issue of Sondela.

Photo Gallery

Come Closer...

Another year draws to a close and together, we count our blessings along with our losses to HIV/AIDS. At this time of endings and beginnings, we thank our funders, contributors, those featured in the newsletter and our many readers who pass on Sondela?s content to others. We know that you care enough to spread the news, seek more information and put your stone on the heap. It is through you and your networking, however small your action, that we can unite to overcome the HIV/AIDS epidemic

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