annual report 2012

//annual report//2012//

Dear Reader,

What a joy it is to come to the end of a year and look back with delight at all that has happened. It never ceases to amaze me to see, hear, and read what God is doing through the different HOPE for AIDS ministries in Africa and Asia.

Globally, big strides have been made - particularly in the area of access to treatment where over 8 million receive treatment now but 26 million more will need access both now and in the years to come (UNAIDS 2012 Report). The continuing struggle against AIDS involves partnerships, collaboration, and determination if we want to see future successes.

It is not the time to lighten our efforts, but rather a time to increase our commitment towards sustainability through local and national leadership. Certainly, donor countries ought to continue their support and we are deeply appreciative, but it is also the right time for AIDS programs to become integrated into social and medical structures, such as churches, medical centers, schools, places of work, and so forth. With HOPE for AIDS, sustainability and mainstreaming are becoming more and more the order of the day. In Ethiopia, future priests in the Orthodox Church receive training on Sexuality and AIDS and are being equipped to make sure that churches are actively making these issues part of their regular programming. In Burkina Faso, the Church is taking on more of a leadership and ownership role of the HOPE for AIDS program as it moves forward in recognizing AIDS as a problem the church ought to be helping to solve. In South Africa, a community center works to provide services for children and youth in an integrated fashion as it assists with schooling, life-skills, and nutrition.

Collaboration and partnerships with local organizations as well as governments are helping some programs in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Malawi to decrease their dependency on foreign donors. It is essential for HOPE for AIDS to continue moving forward in these areas in times of uncertain funding and decreased attention to HIV and AIDS.

With these trends and challenges in mind, the document before you serves as a glimpse into the lives of those involved in care for the infected and affected by HIV and those working hard to prevent further infections by encouraging smart life choices. Numbers and financial data are nice and helpful, but we want to make sure we do not forget through whom all things are possible: Jesus Christ. To him only belongs the glory for the achievements of this past year!

Sincerely,

Marcus Baeder

Anna was in denial about her HIV status for about a year after our Home Based Care Coordinator, Jogbeth, met her. Eventually, she became more open to talking about her status and soon joined the Home Based Care (HBC) program. Still struggling with the implications of being HIV positive, she would often be out when Jogbeth came to visit at the agreed upon time, telling no one where she would be. Soon, a friend, also in the HBC program encouraged her to join the Support Group meetings. To Jogbeth’s surprise, she began attending faithfully. Month after month, she came; Slowly, her demeanor, her motivation and outlook began to change. she soon became an integral part of the group. Speaking four languages, she was a great help with translation in the meetings. Jogbeth says, “Seeing other people in the same situation who are so open about their status and hearing the advice they give each other really made a big difference for Anna.” She made sure she was home for Jogbeth’s visits and soon asked for a Bible. At each visit, she was eager to discuss what she’d been reading and was filled with questions. “She’s now the one who makes sure we meet,” Jogbeth continues, “and if she’s not at home, then everyone knows where she is – collecting the children from school or running errands for the household. Recently, Anna noticed old mattresses lying around on the street. She saw an opportunity and jumped on it. She washed the foam, cut it to shreds, and then sewed the foam into covers. Suddenly, she’s selling pillows to the people of Windhoek. Today, she gets supplies from a mattress factory and regular demand ensures steady business for her. Anna’s story is just one of many in Namibia, in Africa, Asia and India. What could be next for her pillows, her future, the newcomers in her Support Group? In Namibia’s HOPE for AIDS program, home based care doesn’tstay in the home. it’s catching.

NAMIBIAHOMEBASEDCARE

SOUTH AFRICA

Holistic care for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) can have a variety of definitions in HOPE for AIDS programs. Many orphan families are child-headed homes. Many are a house full of 8 or more children with ailing grandparents. Many are children with parents living with AIDS but unable to work and care for their families. And, still, many are children found on their own without a caregiver or a place to live. Lulisandla Kumntwana is a safe haven for vulnerable children in all unique circumstances and stages of their lives. The foundation of Lulisandla Kumntwana (LK) is a network of Family Support Teams made up of people drawn from local churches. There are 50 teams with 160 volunteers who each visit one or more orphan families regularly and offer practical, social, emotional and spiritual help. Last year, support teams in just the Northern part of Umhlabuyalingana made 1729 visits to orphan families even after team member stipends were withdrawn.

LK is also a registered fostering agency in South Africa. Staff workers help children access birth and death documents and IDs. They are cared for, placed in trained foster families and sometimes adopted. LK assures the safety of children who are placed through home visits and foster family training including psycho-social workshops for orphans to deal with the emotional trauma of losing their parents. They include life skills training, and for HIV+ teens, they have a support group.

Lulisandla Kumntwana works closely with the Umhlabuyalingana schools. Each school appoints one teacher as the OVC liaison officer and that teacher becomes the link with LK. When necessary, orphans can get exemption from school fees and are provided with uniforms. Often, the schools call in the LK staff if there is an orphan who is having problems at school or if they know of a new orphan family. For older children, LK runs Careers Days in High Schools giving youth advice about course availability and how to apply to tertiary institutions and for loans and bursaries. LK helps to fund orphans to go on educational school trips, with applications to tertiary institutions, and for transport costs of attending interviews.

While the aim of the program is to assist orphan families to ultimately access services for the foster child, food parcels are given to families in dire need. There are also some children who become orphaned when they are too old for grant eligibility, or for whom documents could not be obtained in time. These young people still need to complete school, so LK supports them with food parcels and school uniforms where necessary.

To sustain the many facets of Lulisanlda Kumntwana, volunteers, children and staff workers have a number of vegetable gardens run by the Family Support Teams, After School Clubs, and Youth Clubs. There are two hydroponic projects. Some orphan families are also assisted with home repair or even complete home building. Through the support of CoCos Foundation and Food 4 Africa, houses were built for two needy families, and work has started on a third which will be completed with a team of volunteers from CoCos this year.

This year, our self-help group programme continued to grow, moving into Oqondweni and Hlulabantu, as well as continuing at Mduku Mnqobokazi. Today, there are 49 groups with 903 members. Since the beginning of the programme, the total amount of money saved by the groups amounts to R112,749 (r8=$1) and they have given a total of 6245 loans to group members totaling R2 252,403. During this period, a variety of skills to bring in income has been acquired. There has been training in making petroleum jelly, grasshuts and the resale of quality clothing and goods. Business and entrepreneurial training has been given by Amangwe Village and Ithala Bank. From just one group, Izamani Thobile (LK’s self-help group coordinator) reports that members continue to be empowered, their savings are impressive and they always return loans on time. This group’s collection of business ventures includes grassmats, clothing resale, poultry farming, and food sales. Two members, homeless when they joined the group, now have homes. Another two who used to need to walk miles for water now have taps in their homes and two more have used the money they’ve saved to start small businesses. they have now sent 4 children to university. Thobile says that the Izamani group works as a family. They are generous, responsible, dignified, humble and committed.

5 FOSTER PARENT TRAINING WORKSHOPS // 11 @ MANABA

// 32 @ MBAZWANE // 58 @VIMBUKHALO

// 89 @ NIBELA // 27 @ TSHONGWE

5 PSYCHO-SOCIAL WORKSHOPS// 70 BOYS 134 GIRLS @ MNQOBOKAZI// 73 BOYS 101 GIRLS @ MBAZWANE

// 93 BOYS 140 GIRLS @ MDUKU// 31 BOYS 34 GIRLS @ MLAMULA// 49 BOYS 84 GIRLS @ NIBELA

ORPHANS & VULNERABLE CHILDREN

bottom right: orphan headed home // left: Malawi Orphan care exercise top right: clay sculptures in malawi // orphan care activity

PREVENTION BENEFICIARIES

ORPHAN & V

ULNERABLE CHILDREN

ENABLING

BENEFICIARIES

HOME

BASED CARE BENEFICIARIES

TOTAL BENEFICIARIES

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LING VOLUNTEERS

HOME BASED CARE VOLUNTEERS

PREVENTION VOLUNTEERS

ORPHAN CARE VOLU

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Since sub-saharan Africa has been the epicenter of the AIDS crisis and Angola is the country with the lowest prevalence of HIV in the region, HOPE for AIDS focuses here on prevention. Through peer education, trained educators bring to the fore HIV prevention through music, drama, literature and visuals. Experienced peer educators become trainers and the transforming results are reducing and maintain the low prevalence of HIV, delaying sexual debut, promoting self-worth and respect and eliminating fears and myths regarding sexuality, HIV transmission, testing and HIV+ status.

Urban youth gain awareness and skills regarding HIV and AIDS that equip them to avoid risky behavior, choose healthy alternatives, and live out their sexuality in a way that leads to satisfying relationships and wellness.

Rural communities are empowered to identify and avoid risky behavior, confront myths regarding sexuality and HIV, and extend compassion to HIV+ and vulnerable persons in their communities.

This year, Angola’s team reached over 6,500 students through workshops in schools, mostly 5th–9th graders. One way peer educators love to share information is through original rap. This is just one that communicates the team’s positive message of empowerment and prevention. Rumor has it, it’s more catchy in Portuguese.

We are madeIn the image of God

We have valueBecause we are loved

Nobody makes choices for me.I make my own choices

No one else has my eyes, my hair, my skinI have thoughts and feelings!

I am not an object!I’m wonderfully made.

Every year, the group comes up with a new repertoire of original raps and skits about prevention and self-value. Topics include free confidential testing, the question of “adundant life”, and an explanation of HIV and how to prevent it. Often, these raps are heard on the street from kids around town.

Between national churches, local churches, government departments and schools, our Angola team has 34 partners, is led and facilitated completely by volunteers, and has reached 7,444 Angolans total in 2012.

ANGOLAPREVENTION

The foundation of HOPE for AIDS work is rooted in the Church. The strength of a community is found in the Church. HOPE for AIDS knows there is no other way to empower, heal and care for people than through partnerships and leadership from the Church. In Ethiopia, our AIDS prevention, education and care work is facilitated not only through evangelical churches but through long-standing classes at the Theological Universities as well as a relationship with the Ethiopian Orthodox church. Dr. Tim Te-usink, SIM and HOPE for AIDS missionary, teaches at the seminary and pioneers AIDS work and teaching on sexuality throughout the country. Below is just a word from his travels celebrating the relationship between the two church traditions:

“I’m flying back to Addis Ababa from Gondar in Northern Ethiopia, where we worked this past weekend on an HIV testing campaign. The initiative is made up of the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Global Health Department, the Gondar University School of Medicine, the North Gondar Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), and University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in Seattle. The goal of this innovative collaboration is to partner with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in mobilizing its consider-able human resources in the fight against AIDS and in the process, demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating faith and mod-ern medicine. This makes sense for a number of reasons, particularly in an area like Gondar where over 85% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian. It also recalls the foundations of modern science, and the worldview of many of it’s architects, who were men and women of faith with an understanding that there was a God who created and sustains the world. Most impor-tantly, it’s the right thing to do as we face this deadly epidemic. As one of our partners reminds us, in the future when people look back at this era will they ask, ‘Why didn’t the Church do more in the face of AIDS?’ Flying over this ancient land where Christianity has thrived for 1700 years and seeing the landscape dotted with parish churches and monasteries, I’m reminded of the profound influence the Church has had in Ethiopia and its ongoing potential for transformation of individuals and society. One of the strengths of this project and reasons for its great success this past weekend as we tested 824 people in 2.5 days(!), is the visionary leadership of Abune (Archbishop) Elsa, who leads the North Gondar Diocese of the EOC. His leadership enabled the groundwork to be laid for mobilizing the Church for this campaign in a diocese which has 2,200 parishes and millions of people and has already done a lot in AIDS prevention and teaching. During the past weekend, the HIV testing program was paired with the opening of the North Gondar Diocese Museum containing some historic treasures of the church. The museum was just refur-bished with a small grant from UPC and using that as an attraction, people were encouraged to come and be tested for HIV. The Archbishop announced publicly that he would be the first in line for testing and true to his word, he led the ranks of the 824 who came. At the dedication of the museum on Friday, he spoke eloquently of the two types of treasures that were evident that day–the historic artifacts of the Church but even more important, the treasure of people–each one created and loved by God. He emphasized that it’s wonderful to preserve historic treasures but how much more we must strive to preserve the treasure that each person is, representing a temple of the Holy Spirit. He referenced the Incarnation, as God sent His Son to die for us on the cross. He then declared that the word should go forth from Gondar and around the world that the Church and modern medicine must work together for the benefit of all people. Following in the Archbishop’s steps, nearly 50 priests were test-ed along with even more deacons and other officials of the Church to show their members the importance of HIV testing. The Church and her leaders exert significant influence in an area like the North Gondar Diocese and this behavioral modeling has a profound impact.”

ETHIOPIAENABLING THE CHURCH

HOPE for AIDS is an International family of more than 40 projects spanning 12 countries in Africa, Thailand and India. The majority of the work in these projects is done through the time and commitment of the nearly 2,000 local volunteers drawn from our partner organisations. Our vision is to build capacity in the local community to enable them to deal with the AIDS pandemic in the most effective way in each culture. This number of volunteers bears witness to the desire that people have to reach out to those who are suffering in their community.

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BURKINA FASO AIDS COUNSELING & TESTING //93876//BURKINA FASO COORDINATION & EQUIPPING OF EE/SIM CHURCH //93881//BURKINA FASO MEDIA DEVELOPMENT OF AIDS //93883//BURKINA FASO YOUTH HIV & AIDS EDUCATION & DISCIPLESHIP //93912//BURKINA FASO PASTORAL CARE & FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION //93913//

ANGOLA LIFEABUNDANT //94290//

BOTSWANA HOPE FOR AIDS COORDINATION //97162//BOTSWANA HOPEFORAIDS CAPACITY BUILDING //97163//BOTSWANA HOPEFORAIDS LIFE SKILLS TRAINING //97164//BOTSWANA HOPEFORAIDS ORPHAN & VULNERABLE CHILD CARE TRAINING //97165//

ETHIOPIA ORTHODOX TRAINING INITIATIVES //92015//ETHIOPIA AIDS MAINSTREAMING IN THE CHURCH //92541//ETHIOPIA AIDS ORPHAN CARE //92720//ETHIOPIA HIV & AIDS INFORMATION, EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION //92750//ETHIOPIA AIDS CARE & TREATMENT PROJECT (ACT) //92751//ETHIOPIA AIDS ORPHAN & VULNERABLE CHILDREN CARE (ACT) //92919//

INDIA HOPE FOR AIDS SHALOM-DELHI //98551//INDIA HIV & AIDS INDIAN BOOK PROJECT //98565//

MALAWI HOPE FOR AIDS MALAWI MASTER PROJECT //96157//MALAWI AEC HOME-BASED CARE //96253//MALAWI AEC ORPHAN CARE //96255//MALAWI AEC VOLUNTARY TESTING & COUNSELING //96257//MALAWI HOPE FOR AIDS EBCOM CURRICULUM //96351//MALAWI HOPE FOR AIDS CHURCH LEADERSHIP TRAINING //96352//MALAWI HOPE FOR AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM //96554//

NAMIBIA EBCAIDS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM //94362//NAMIBIA EBCAIDS HOME BASED CARE //94363//NAMIBIA EBCAIDS COORDINATION PROJECT //94365//

NIGERIA ECWA AIDS MINISTRY (TEAM) //96220//

SOUTH AFRICA LULISANDLA KUMNTWANA //97398//SOUTH AFRICA PROJECT POSITIVE RAY //97488//SOUTH AFRICA TODAY FOR TOMORROW //97684//

THAILAND RADICAL GRACE //98382//

ZAMBIA APPLE PROJECT //94248//

ZIMBABWE WINDOWS OF HOPE ZIMBABWE (OPERATION) //96197//ZIMBABWE NHASI ZVE MANGWANA (TODAY FOR TOMORROW) PREVENTION //96296//ZIMBABWE WINDOWS OF HOPE HOME BASED CARE //96380//ZIMBABWE WINDOWS OF HOPE ORPHAN & VULNERABLE CHILDREN CARE //96381//ZIMBABWE WINDOWS OF HOPE ENABLING //96384//ZIMBABWE WINDOWS OF HOPE INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES //96392//

INTERNATIONAL MASTER PROJECT //99383//