Christmas in Bergville

Babiza's Story

Babiza's Story	Babiza and friends discuss another HIVAN publication, Sondela

Babiza's Story, a HIVAN publication was recently launched at a recent HIVAN conference.
Babiza's Story is part of the UNESCO Most "Growing Up In Cities" project.
For more information on this publication, please click here

The HIVAN Team at the XV International AIDS Conference
in Bangkok, Thailand

Eleven of HIVAN's staff members attended the recent XV International AID Conference in Bangkok.

Some of HIVAN's delegates arrive in Thailand	The Conference Centre and attendees	The HIVAN Booth at the Exhibition Centre of the Conference
HIVAN Researcher, Khumbulani Hlongwana, discusses his poster presentation with a fellow Conference delegate	Nicola Stanley, a member of HIVAN's Sectoral Networking team, presents on the team's work through poster presentations	Sibongile Maimane, a fieldworker for HIVAN's Community Responses to HIV/AIDS component, converses with a Conference visitor	HIVAN Researcher, Hema Somai outlines the finer points of her poster presentation which focussed on "Deadly Myths?"
HIVAN Researcher, Anam Nyembezi, takes a break from the frenzy of the Conference at the HIVAN NGO Booth	Anam discusses his poster presentation with a fellow Conference delegate	Nigerian businessman, Mr Bode-Law Faleyimu; Professor Babatunde Osotimehin (Chairman - Nigerian National Action Committee on HIV/AIDS) and Bren Brophy, of HIVAN at the HIVAN Booth	Yugi Nair, a member of the Community Responses to HIV/AIDS component at HIVAN, converses with colleague, Sibongile Maimane and another Conference delegate
Firdaus Kharas, co-producer of The Three Amigos, explains the concept of the PSAs to a fellow conference delegate	Prof Ida Susser, of the Mailman School for Public Health, Columbia University, sharing ideas with HIVAN Junior Researchers, Sbongile Maimane and Xoliswa Keke	Dr Allan Rosenfield: Dean, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, visits the HIVAN Booth	Yugi Nair and Sbongile Maimane of HIVAN explain the finer points of their youth research project to a fellow conference delegate

Peer Education Indaba

A primary strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS and its impact is Life Skills Training and Peer Education. Time and again, research has shown that people
listen and learn from their peers far more than what they do from others. Both the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Red Cross Society run active peer education programmes. In order to share experiences and learn from each other, acknowledging that each set of peer educators works within a unique context, The Red Cross Society together with The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College campus) are hosted a Peer Educators' Indaba on 8th May 2004. This Indaba was also held to commemorate the Red Cross yearly celebration of the inception of the society.

Umcebo Trust

Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) students enjoying their community placement session with Umcebo members, who are traininng them and sharing skills and knowledge.	Nobahle Jali, with a commissioned banner, which she created for the SAAMFT Conference. The banner is crocheted out of scrap plastic, and forms part of the income generation component of the Umcebo Project.	Percy Memela hard at work on a beadwork project.	Ntokozo Mnyandu making an ornamental basket out of scrap plastic
Nobahle Jali beading an enamel mug for export to Canada, to be used at a 2004 exhibition	Print Making students hard at work at the Interim Workshops	Ornamental baskets in production	Noxolo Nomvele crocheting a bag from scrap plastic

Umcebo Trust is a non-profit organisation that believes that marginalised people have within them the creativity necessary to make a difference, and aims to Umcebo is a isiZulu word meaning "treasure". The main aim of the Trust is to establish a studio workspace for people to use and develop their artistic talents as a means of personal and creative development, as well as to generate income.For more information on the Umcebo Trust, please contact its Chairperson, Robin Opperman, on - Telephone: 031 3053408/031 4690767/031 4690768; Facsimile: 031 3056090; Cell: 083 7933408; Email: robino@telkomsa.net or visit the Trust's website by clicking here

HIVAN Coastal Community HIV/AIDS Fora

Fathima Abdulla of HIVAN with Selvie Somiah at the Shallcross Forum	HIVAN Advertising	HIVAN Staff members and Forum members	Nobuhle Mkhize presenting at the Shallcross Forum

A new HIVAN HIV/AIDS Forum series for KZN’s North Coast communities was launched on the 11th March 2004. A similar forum, also co-hosted by HIVAN was held on the 9 March 2004 in Shallcross for the South Coast Communities. For the full report, please click here

African Forum of Faith-Based Organisations in Reproductive Heath and HIV/AIDS - Capacity-Building Workshop

Abdia Naidoo, from the Baha'i Community in Gauteng, with Patricia Mpanza, a Traditional Healer	Blind Game Activity	Forum Members	Forum Partners
Participants enjoying the Blind Game	Patricia Mpanza - a Traditional Healer	Saydoon Nisa Sayed, Patricia Mpanza and Sheila Maharaj	Suhaima Hoosen of Bayt-ul-Nur facilitated the workshop

For a full report on the African Forum of Faith-Based Organisations in Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS' Capacity Building Workshop, please click here

University of KwaZulu-Natal Student Services Orientation Day - Howard College - 04 February 2004

The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, recently held its Student Services Orientation Day, which aims to orientate new students to the University and familiarise them with the services available. For 2004, the theme of Student Services Orientation Day was "Dare to Care", and focussed heavily on HIV/AIDS.

Prof MW Makgoba, Vice-Chancellor of the University, opened the event, with an inspirational address	Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof E Ngara, addressed the First-Year students	Dean of Students, Mr T Wills, also addressed the students	Students' Representative Council President, Silindile Bhengu, also welcomed the First-Years.
The interactive programme was introduced by members of DramAidE.	The Quikka Prikka Game Show formed part of the programme and enabled students to learn more about the Services available to them and win prizes.	The students participating in the game show were assisted by a panel of experts, each representing specific student service departments.

WCRP/HIVAN Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Forum Series - An Overview of 2003

The WCRP/HIVAN Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Forum Series has been a resounding success during 2003, and some of the highlights are spotlighted below. For reports on the Forum Series, please visit our FBO Corner, which can be accessed here

Coline McConnel (UCSF) and Nicola Stanley (HIVAN's Sectoral Networking Team)	Durban Jewish Club Catering Staff (from left): Dennis, Richard and Ginger	Jane and baby Nxasana from Ixopo (left) with Shakira Cassim (Islamic Medical Association) and Sioux Hedden (Woza Moya Project, BRC)	HIVAN Project Manager, Debbie Heustice with WCRP Co-ordinator, Saydoon Sayed

Community in action: Ottawa KZN pulls together

Scenes from the Ottawa/Parkgate community World AIDS Day Event - 2003

The Ottawa/Parkgate community, situated on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast, is a very small one. On World AIDS Day, its residents and representatives from a range of sectors joined together to mobilise around HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and a small team from HIVAN participated in the first such event of its kind in the area. By all accounts, it was an exemplary day, with groups from the private sector, the arts, as well as local schools, NGOs and CBOs taking part. The guest speaker was Dr Atom Dilraj from the MRC in Durban. Scenes from this event are below. The full report on this event can be accessed here

Amangwe Village - an oasis of care and support

The buildings at the entrance of Amangwe Village	The food garden which provides fresh vegetables to the Ethembeni Care Centre	One of the renovated houses at Amangwe Village
The 45-bed unit, near completion. This facility was opened on 04 December 2003	KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Lionel Mtshali leaves his hand prints in the "Hands that Built Amangwe Village" feature in the garden	Amangwe Village Project Funders and Management also leave their handprints in the cement feature

Behind some trees, just off the N2 highway past Richards Bay, a unique village is taking shape that aims to address the many problems faced by people with HIV/AIDS. For more on Amangwe Village, please click here or see pictures from 2002 further down this page.

A very special baby shower

Members of the Methodist Church at the baby shower	Baby and toddler clothes were donated	Knitted blankets and gifts were also donated
Many donations were received and placed near the nativity scene	"The Church Has HIV/AIDS"	Soft toys also formed part of the generous donations

Members and friends of the Manning Road Methodist Church in Durban, KZN, put their heads, hands and hearts together to devise a novel way of honouring World AIDS Day 2003. They held a "Baby Shower for Mary", to which gift-givers brought toys, baby clothing and infant preparations for donation to the iThemba Lethu Transition Home and the Ekuphileni ante-natal Clinic in Cato Manor, Durban.

Haven of Rest

Pastor Mervyn Munsamy and Apostle Ronnie Naidoo	Children and their carers with Apostle Ronnie Naidoo	Children at home at the Haven of Rest	Marla and Mervyn Munsamy, who run Rapha International and the medical unit at the Haven of Rest
Children in Grades 0 to 2 with their teachers	Bongi is responsible for Voluntary Counselling and Testing at the Haven of Rest	Haven of Rest also provides palliative care for ill patients	Men spend some time socialising at the Rehabilitation Centre

Located amid sugar-cane plantations in Tongaat, the Haven of Rest is exactly what its name describes - a haven of rest for orphans, the elderly, people undergoing drug and alcohol rehabilitation, schoolchildren, and patients requiring treatment and palliative care. This facility is housed in a beautiful 96-year old, whitewashed-walled Victorian building that previously operated as the Tongaat-Hullet Group’s hospital for employees on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. For more information on Haven of Rest, please click here

Launch of the HIVAN/Shallcross Community Forum Series

Dr Janet Giddy, of McCord Hospital, presented at the Forum	Frances Steele, of Sinosizo, registering at the Forum	Phiwe Mkomo, of Pinetown Child and Family Welfare, spoke at the Forum	Sister Surie, from Shallcross Clinic, also spoke at the Forum

HIVAN, in association with The Shallcross Friends of the Library, launched their HIV/AIDS Community Forum Series in October 2003. The aim of this Forum is to enhance networking, collaboration and information-sharing amongst various local organisations involved in HIV/AIDS activities.

Book Launch - "Letting Them Die - How HIV/AIDS Prevention Programmes Often Fail" - Catherine Campbell

Speeches were made at the Book Launch by Cedric Sissing of Adam's Bookshop, Professor Jerry Coovadia and Eleanor Preston-Whyte of HIVAN and Professor Catherine Campbell
Scenes from the Book Launch

Adams' Bookshop, in association with Ike's Books, hosted the launch of Prof Catherine Campbell's book, "Letting The Die - How HIV/AIDS Prevention Programmes Often Fail" on 18 September 2003. The launch was well-attended. More information on Prof Campbell's book can be accessed by clicking here

Medical Research Council Community Advisory Board (CAB) Training - 6 September 2003

CAB Members undergoing the values exercise	CAB participants relaxing at tea	Cindy Zulu, Community Health Worker (Cato Manor)	Bonginkosi Sakhile, a member of the CAB Executive
Ms Hlengiwe Nzuza and Mr Moses Mhlongo, Community Health Workers	New participants, after the first training session	Njabulo Mabaso, Deputy Chairperson, CAB Executive	Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Chairperson of the CAB Executive

The CAB training, held on Saturday, 6 September 2003, was a joint MRC-CAB Executive initiative. Three topics were covered: Key terms and concepts, a focus on the relationship between the CAB and the trial site, and the role of the CAB. Experiential exercises to identify CAB values through nature were facilitated. The second session focused on understanding protocols and how they are reviewed. A short introduction to ethics followed and the third focus was on informed consent - what it is and how it works.

South African AIDS Conference

The South African AIDS Conference was held at the Internation Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban during August 2003. The HIVAN stand in the Exhibition Hall was successful and attracted a variety of delegates and visitors. Tyger Trade and Training (pictured below) is a collaborative community project involving the people from Uitsig in the Western Cape Province, Stellenbosch University, GlaxoSmithKline and Safmarine, and forms part of an Urban Renewal and Economic strategy of Cape Town. The project aims to develop the skills of unemployed people from the community, especially those affected by Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The Tyger Trade and Training Job Creation Centre is involved in the creation and production of a variety of handmade gifts, utility bags and key rings. For more information on this organisation, please contact Renda Venter at Tyger Trade and Training, PO Box 19063, Tygerberg, 7505. Tel: +27 21 9389062 or +27 73 255 4087. Email: rendav@sun.ac.za

The HIVAN Stand at the SA AIDS Conference		Leonie Geldenhuys of Tyger Trade and Training showing a conference delegate the orphan dolls	Elizabeth Maria Konstabel of Tyger Trade and Training

Artists' Action Around AIDS - A HIVAN Campaign

This campaign is comprised of a workshop, art exhibition and a performance by the legendary Pieter-Dirk Uys. For more information on Artists' Action Around AIDS, please click here

Artists' Action Around AIDS Exhibition

Scenes from HIVAN's Artists' Action Around AIDS Exhibition at the Durban Art Gallery, 23 July to 25 August 2003
Visitors to the Opening of the Exhibition	Carol Brown of the Durban Art Gallery	Professor Eleanor Preston-Whyte and Praise Singer	Professor Eleanor Preston-Whyte, Professor Hoosen Coovadia and Dr Zubie Hamed
Professor Eleanor Preston-Whyte officially opened the Exhibition	Kate Wells with works from the Siyazama Project	The audience at the opening of the Exhibition	Praise singer and Professor Hoosen Coovadia

Artists' Action Around AIDS Workshop

Artists' Action Around AIDS Workshop Participants	Mind, Body, Memory Maps presenters	Prof Eleanor Preston-Whyte and Prof Suzanne Leclerc-Madlala	Gisele Turner
Marianne Meijer, Pam Molenaar and Neith Moore	Mask Workshop Briefing	Madcaps Creative Theatre Company	Mask Workshop Debriefing
Performing with masks	Noreen Ramsden of the Children's Rights Centre	'Amagama Amathathu' AIDS Awareness Play	Printmaking

Sinikithemba Care Centre - a beacon of hope for those living with AIDS

Members of the Sinikithemba Choir sing for joy	Drs Fanny Kiepiela and Helga Holst with Prof Anna Coutsoudis	Representatives of funders, Operation Jumpstart and the Victor Daitz Foundation, officially open the Centre premises

Pre- and Post-Test HIV/AIDS Counselling Course - June/July 2003

HIVAN, in collaboration with the School of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) recently held an intensive eight-day Pre-and Post-Test HIV/AIDS Counselling Course. Facilitated by Kerry Frizelle (M Soc. Sci Counselling Psychology), the class of twenty-nine was madde up of HIVAN staff members, members of surrounding communities, international students and students of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) Student Orientation 2003

Student Orientation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) kicked off the academic year in February 2003. Under the banner of "NU United Against HIV/AIDS", the SRC Orientation stayed true to it focus of "fun with a message".

The Cast of "It's Not What You Say"	Performance Group, Beyond Words	Maskanda group, Condom	Hip Hop Performers - "Say NO to AIDS, I choose to wait"
UND Christian group, His People	Kwaito Action	Kwamagaga Choir	Sponsorship by I-Talk Cellular

Mondi Donates R2 million for the renovation of Amangwe Village

In December 2002, Mondi Ltd donated R2 million to the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation (ZCBF) for the renovation of Amangwe Village, a six-hectare estate on the outskirts of Kwambonambi, as a superbly equipped, holistic HIV/AIDS care centre. The land and existing buildings were formerly used by Mondi forest employees, but the new Amangwe Village development will incorporate the existing clinic, crèche, recreation hall and 52 cottages, as well as a new Ethembeni Care Centre, so that the entire infrastructure forms a 'one-stop' care and prevention facility for orphans and vulnerable children in the region. The Ethembeni Care Centre will accommodate a 45-bed sub-acute hospital facility, including a 16-bed paediatric ward and counselling facilities, and the village will, in time, offer an expanded care centre, extensive services and programmes. For now, the cottages will house orphans and vulnerable children. The complex as a whole will host day-care, recreation and learning programmes and have venues for community outreach and training initiatives (home-based care, skills & income generation development and peer education programmes). For more information, contact Vanessa Dean at the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation. Tel: +27 (0)35 797 3133 or by e-mail on: vanessa.dean@zcbf.org.za

Amangwe Village Cottages	The Administrative Building	Amangwe Village Houses	Ethembeni Care Centre

"Community Responses to HIV/AIDS" - Adams Mission

Adams Mission has a well-run Health Clinic which serves the local community	Oziel Mdletshe, Co-ordinator of the YMCA Masimbambane Project at Adams Mission	The Resource Centre premises form a central feature of community life in Adams Mission

Through its Research Fellowship Programme, HIVAN is funding a project entitled "Community Responses to HIV/AIDS", focusing on the informal and formal "bridging and bonding" partnerships being initiated and developed within and by communities in KZN around HIV/AIDS interventions, and the role of social capital in increasing their effectiveness. This selection of photos was taken during a visit to one of the project sites, Adams Mission, a small, resource-poor community near Amanzimtoti, just south of Durban.

Marcia Mazibuko, Community Youth Worker for the Masimbambane Project	The High School desperately needs funds to renovate some of its buildings	Librarian Nobesuthu Mchunu and Library Security Guard Nziwanele Feke
Teachers meet for the start of the 2003 schoolyear at Dr Nembula High School in Adams Mission	Members of the Dr Nembula High School Governing Board	Masibambane Peer Education Trainers, Thembisele Vilakazi and Khuthula Magugu

ChildrenFirst Open Day

Young guests from in and around Durban loved the music, poetry and dance performances	A variety of contributors and affiliated organisations were represented at the Open Day	Kwaito against Child Abuse
The Siyakuhla Drummers from Carrington Heights had everyone on their feet	HIVAN was present at the ChildrenFirst Open Day	Ready to Rumba! Ballroom Dancers from the Tongaat Special School
Dancers from Wentworth	Finding a friend	Hello! Please have one!

Children First, a Durban-based NGO promoting and protecting the rights and wellbeing of children, invited friends, colleagues and partner organisations to mark the "World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse" on 19 November. The Day was devoted to children, with guests from various communities and children's rights organisations enjoying displays, demonstrations, performances and food at the Diakonia Centre in St Andrew's Street, Durban.

In her opening address, Director of ChildLine, Joan van Niekerk, commended the ChildrenFirst Journal as being "... one of the few publications dealing with the rights of children in South Africa. It's truly indigenous writing from the real heart of the NGO world and civil society, as well as a watchdog, a networking tool and a cheap source of information, important services and useful resources." Children First is registered as a Section 21 (not-for-gain) company and is committed to presenting African perspectives on the situation of children in South Africa and Africa.

It does this by providing: a forum for sharing experience and knowledge that may help develop models of good practice for working with children; a platform for debate of issues that affect children and their carers; opportunities for children to express their views and concerns and a tool for lobbying policymakers and opinion-formers.

Children First issues a bi-monthly journal called "ChildrenFIRST", edited by Cosmas Desmond; comments and contributions to this journal are welcomed, and may be submitted via E-mail: office@childrenfirst.org.za or Tel/Fax:031 2073405. Visit the Children First website on www.childrenfirst.org.za

Woza Moya Beading Project

Woza Moya (meaning "Come Change" or "Come Holy Spirit") is a non-profit self-help beading project initiated by the Hillcrest AIDS Centre. Woza Moya aims to uplift people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. At present, Woza Moya employs 82 beaders who produce a variety of beadwork for conferences, corporate functions, schools, HIV/AIDS and Cancer initiatives, weddings and Christmas decorations. Woza Moya's beaders can bead up to 1000 brooches per week and no order is too small. They do produce articles to order and customers may choose their own design. The beadwork project is an ongoing and growing project. These Woza Moya products, and a host of others such exquisite items, are available for sale from the Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit & from Hillcrest AIDS Centre.

Imisebenzi Yezandla 2 - NSA Arts Training Programme

HIVAN is pleased to present, in photo-form, the exhibition of works displayed during October 2002 at the NSA's Park Gallery in Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban.

Nkosinathi Gumede - Assistant Curator of the NSA Gallery, Durban

Entitled "IMISEBENZI YEZANDLA 2", these works are the latest yield of the NSA's Arts Training Programme, which is being conducted at three sites in the Durban area. The aim of this Programme is to empower both children and adults with artistic and creative skills as a means of healing, whether physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, and of self-empowerment.

Two child-oriented projects are being run, one at Wylie House and and the other in King George V Hospital's TB ward for children - both of these are funded by the AIDS Foundation of SA. The adult Training Arts Programme is based at the Mazenod/Chesterville Community Project at Cato Manor, where the women have formed a co-operative called "Senzokuhle"; their embroideries and tufted rugs have been marketed successfully overseas. The SEM British Trust has financed the Project, and the women are now focused on establishing a solid local market for their craft in order to be self-sustainable by mid-2003. Their works are available for purchase, and special commissions are regularly undertaken. For more details, please contact Nkosinathi Gumede, Assistant Curator of the NSA Gallery on Tel: 031202 3686/7.

The Mazenod/Chesterville Community Projects (Senzokuhle)

The King George V Hospital Therapeutic Art Project

The Wylie House Therapeutic Art Project