Chatsworth Child Welfare?s HIV/AIDS Unit:
Giving hope and Raising Awareness

Chatsworth Child Welfare (CCW) is located a stone?s throw from the provincial R.K. Khan Hospital and the bustling Chatsworth Centre, and has been at the heart of the community for many years. In 1997, the CCW established its HIV/AIDS Unit as a response to the growing need for education within the greater Chatsworth area, including the informal settlements, about the pandemic.

The CCW HIV/AIDS Unit offers the following services:

? Education and awareness programmes to all sectors of the community
? Pre- and post-test counselling
? Home-based care
? General counselling, referrals and support

Presently, the Unit is staffed by a co-ordinator, eight counsellors and several volunteers. Once a month, basic HIV/AIDS education and awareness workshops are conducted. ?From these workshops our trainees and caregivers are recruited into our volunteer force,? said Kogi David, the Unit co-ordinator. Volunteers play a vital role in carrying out the Unit?s community outreach work.

Jabu Buthelezi, who has been with the Unit for six years, explains that, after working and living in the community for a long time, ?If people have problems they come to your home; you can?t tell them to speak to you during working hours - I must help them.?

Pamela Ntuli, a counsellor like Jabu, has been working in Chatsworth for over a decade and offers home-based care. On some days, the situation seems very bleak; however, when asked what motivates her to do this kind of work, she says: ?It?s the hope that someday I?ll see this person talking, walking and working.?

Selvie Somiah spends most of her week doing home-visits and runs an advice desk at the Montford Library. Her enthusiasm for her work was inspired by the need to assist those in her community infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Selvie recalls her first impressions of doing HIV/AIDS work: ?Initially I was scared, but now I?m passionate about it.?

Volunteer Cheryl Naicker?s involvement with the Unit was initiated by a close friend?s personal experience of HIV/AIDS. This young, softly spoken woman has developed strong ties with the community over the past seven months. ?When you show commitment,? she says, ?people know you in the area, and they look forward to your help.?

Reflecting on the success of the Unit, Kogi says: ?The staff?s personal and professional dedication has made working in the community much easier and contributed greatly to the success of the project.? The Unit networks with a wide range of service providers in order to harness their expertise and knowledge, so that HIV and AIDS in Chatsworth can be addressed effectively.

If you wish to find out more about the CCW?s HIV/AIDS Unit, contact:

Kogi David (Co-ordinator)
10 Rose Height Road, Arena Park
Chatsworth, 4092
Tel: (031) 403 1256
Fax: (031) 403 6137
Email: [email protected]

Text by Hema Somai, HIVAN Social Science Researcher

<