AFRICAN AIDS FOUNDATION

University of Western SydneyGlobal Health Awareness Western Sydney

20 May 2013

My name is Jenny Hooper. I am here tonight as a Director of AAF and my role as Overseas Project Co-ordinator. We are a voluntary organisation with no staff. Dr John Schwarz our founder and chairperson is in USA and sends his apologies. He would normally discuss clinical aspects of undertaking a placement in Africa which is available at Emmaus Hospital KwaZulu Natal South Africa, a rural hospital serving the Zulu population. I want to acknowledge Zainib and Soondoos Rashid who approached AAF in 2010 about establishing a partnership with GHAWS.

Introduction

Before I commence can I get an idea of how many here have been made aware of this as an option?

How many have heard of African AIDS Foundation?

Established in 2001 by Dr John Schwarz – Former M/S Emmaus

Commenced in Okhahlamba Municipality in response to AIDS

Current Projects include: HIV /TB Project Youth Life Skills Project Agricultural programs – home

gardens International School

Partnerships Orphans and Vulnerable

Children Project in Kenya Income approximates

$150,000pa – all funds raised go to Africa

AAF has worked in Okhahlamba Municipality since 2000 where Emmaus is based. John Schwarz was medical superintendent from 1975 to 1984.

Okhahlamba Municipality is a rural area about 4 hours from Joburg and 3 hours from Durban. To the west are the WH Drakensberg Mountains. The area is in the middle of Boer War history. There is a population of approximately 150000 and close to 100,000 are estimated to be children and young people..

Bergvile and Winterton are the main towns – neither have populations greater than 4000.

HIV and TB are the main health issues

Up to 40% of pregnant women attending prenatal clinics test positive for HIV.

A visit to many houses and cemeteries attests to the devastation of HIV prior to HCT and ARV being available

Apart from HIV and TB Emmaus has a number of other wards and clinics.

Emmaus Operating Theatre

Children’s Ward

2011 students were accommodated a youth camp within walking distance of the hospital.

In 2013 AAF has negotiated for 5 students to be placed at Emmaus

You will be based in an area still rich in Zulu culture

Zulus were fighting the British late in the 1800s

Culture means women still do the majority of the work

Culture also means tension between traditional healing and medicine

What qualities will you need in Africa?

Partnership with GHAWS Arrangement for the placement with Emmaus Hospital Accommodation arrangement Pre departure orientation and briefing Post placement debriefing

What does AAF expect?

•Completion of volunteer form•Attend pre departure briefing and post placement debrief•Read AAF Mission, and sign AAF CPP and Volunteer Policy•Prepare an article for AAF newsletter on return

Our presentation this evening was to ensure you are aware of the conditions you would be going to and what you might expect in South Africa.As a result of this information we trust this will assist those of you considering overseas clinical placements to make informed decisions about what a partnership between AAF and GHAWS is offering.

Further information is available on the AAF Website www.africanaidsfoundation.org.au

2011 students Zainib Cheema, Jerome Crouche, Julia New-Tolley and Kat Irwin have shared their experiences on our website. Presentation also available on the web

Application kits available on the website

Partner with African AIDS Foundation to change the world - one person at a time

(Regular feedback and financial reports are on our website and we have an e-newsletter)

www.africanaidsfoundation.org.au