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Ahanang, South Africa
The project is located in the Orange Farm, a township 45
kilometers south of Johannesburg. It has a population of
700,000.
Poverty is rampant in the area, with over 60%
unemployment, and very few opportunities for people to
better their current situation. Most HIV carriers,
therefore, are unable to afford proper treatment for
their condition.
HIV/AIDS has an extremely high prevalence in Orange Farm
with 57% of the population being infected with the virus
according to the Health Department.
There is resistance in the male population to using a
condom. Rumors abound in the community that condoms have
worms in them, and will give the man a STD if worn.
AMURT opened a clinic at its community center in Orange
Farm in 1996 to provide primary health care to the
population. In 2001, with initial funding from the
Provincial Health Department, AMURT launched the
HIV/AIDS program that includes awareness-building and
home-based care. We currently employ 11 caregivers who
administer to the needs of 108 home-based AIDS patients.
They feed them, bathe them, administer their medication
and interact with their families. They educate their
patients about the nature of the disease and become a
compassionate presence in their lives.
In the community awareness building of the component the
outreach workers educate the population about the nature
of the disease. They advise people to get tested and to
change their behavior patterns. First, they tell people,
“Be faithful!” Then they say, “If you cannot be
faithful, then use a condom at all times.”
Trying to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS is a long
struggle, which AMURT is prepared to participate in for
the foreseeable future.
To contribute you can:
2. Send a donation via the
AMURT Global
office
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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