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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".
When Ann was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1995,
her doctor told her that, with her CD4 count of
67, she would have only weeks to live, but she
faced her diagnosis with courage and faith, surviving
to disclose her status a year and seven months
later.
After attending a number of workshops and clinic
meetings involving other PLWHAs, Ann was inspired
to share her experience and knowledge around the
disease so as to mobilise a local community project
that would help to reduce the stigma and suffering
of those affected by the epidemic.
She networked with others around her vision,
and finally, eight women volunteered to team up
in offering advice around positive living as a
means of surviving HIV/AIDS and other health problems
in the Klaarwater area, which covers at least
five discrete communities.
" I started taking anti-retroviral drugs
in 2001," explains Ann, "but the side-effects
made me feel so ill that I stopped taking them
the following year. Through eating well, getting
rest and focusing on being healthy at all levels,
I've managed without drugs and my most recent
CD4 count was 787." She believes that only
through living honestly and positively, which
involves disclosing one’s status, taking
charge of one's own wellness, and focusing on
self-belief, can one control the effects of the
virus. "I'm living proof that it's possible
to achieve this," she says, "and I'd
like to show others that they can do it too."
The group, consisting of Ann, her sister Nosibusiso,
Nana Ngobese, Thuli Zimu, Nomusa Masango, Connie
Mthabela, and Khanyisile Nkosi, started working
on the idea in 2002, and opened an office on 15
August 2003 - but no one has come forward yet,
despite there being many community residents who
are suffering in silence, alone at home. "We've
spoken to the clinic sister, who will be making
referrals to us; also, we will be raising funds
to make posters, flyers and T-shirts so as to
brand and publicise the Centre, and to collect
more printed resource materials for hand-out."
explains Nana.
Funds will also be needed to hire a full-day
receptionist and a cleaner, and at this stage
there is no access to water, electricity, toilet
facilities or a phone-line. However, the group
members and any other prospective volunteers will
sign agreements to confirm that their work is
unpaid.
The advice centre is located in a shop space
belonging to Ann's mother in a small, central
building which is largely vacant due to constant
burglaries. The group hopes to rent the adjoining
shop for private counselling by five of the members,
two of whom were trained by St Mary's Hospital
in pre- and post-test as well as ongoing counselling.
The group has also had workshop training around
HIV/AIDS and the law, legal basics and human rights
(specifically to privacy, dignity and confidentiality)
from Natal University's Centre for Socio-Legal
Studies.
"We won't launch the Centre officially until
we have liaised with our local Community Health
Forum representative," says Nana. "We
also intend broadening the service to include
advice on cancer, diabetes and TB, so that there's
less intense focus on it being an HIV/AIDS support
centre. This should help to decrease stigma problems."
The hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m.
Sister Gumbi, from the local health clinic, can
only help on an ad hoc basis when called upon,
but has agreed to support the project as much
as she can. "This group initiated and owns
this project, and it should proceed as such,"she
observes. "ISIBONISO" was named after
Ann's son, because it was her original concept.
It means "I will show you" and with
her resilience and dedication, Ann is an ideal
role-model.
"I've always been a realist, someone who
deals with facts, obstacles and the truth head-on
- then I can prioritise my responses. I believe
in spiritual support, and that telling and showing
people that they CAN survive is very powerful."
Ann's self-confidence has protected her from
some exploitative experiences. "Once, the
organisers of a community beauty pageant demanded
that I disclose and discuss my status at the event,
but I insisted on being paid a fee for that kind
of presentation," she says. "There are
also those who do not believe that I am HIV-positive,
because I look so healthy!"
If you need ISIBONISO's advice, please contact
any of the following:
Ann Prince: 082 816 1873 (Counselling and Strength)
Nomusa Masango: 083 615 3600 (Spiritual Counselling)
Nosibusiso Prince: 083 953 0380 (Pre- and Post-test
Counselling)
or if you can assist the volunteers in any way,
please contact any of the following:
Nana Ngobese: 083 759 8754 or Email: ngobesen1@nu.ac.za
Connie Mthabela: 083 278 0033
Khanyisile Nkosi: 072 222 8613
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