South Africa: Byldrift community home based care

Byldrift community home based care started in 2007, we were only three when we started the organization, and we are now 28 in number. Ten volunteers, all women and seven board members 3 men four women .Operating in a Shelter donated by one of our community member. It was registered 2007 with NPO number is 055/994. We have 370 beneficiaries, 220 women and 150 are man and seven board member.

Context

The denial of their status from people within our community. To solve the stigma in the community from HIV/AIDS patients. Neglected patients by family members. Community stereotype on the infected community’s members. Ignorance on HIV/AIDS matters. That the law also protects the infected people. To play an advocate role of HIV/AIDS suffering, orphans and elderly. To provide home based care to orphans, patients and senior citizens. To promote care services to the community and reduce high death rates counselling by HIV/AIDS. We offer care and emotional support to orphans, HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases.

Key Actions

To solve the stigma in the community from HIV/AIDS patients. Ensure that the law also protects the infected people. Solve the stereotyping about infected communities’ members. By doing door to door visits. Clinic transfer their patients to the organization. To promote care services to the community and reduce high death rates counselling by HIV/AIDS. Offer care and emotional support to orphans, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic diseases.

Partners

Department of health, ward councillor, Department of Agriculture, National lottery, Tribal leaders

Department of social development, Police and clinics.

Strategies

We see many people suffer go to the clinic. We went to tribal authorities to introduce ourselves. They organized community those who like to with were registered. We door to door campaign introducing ourselves we did awareness campaign. Nurses gave us chronic patients. To observe if they are taking medication regularly. We work from 08h00 to 16h30 Monday to Thursday Friday is 8hoo to 13h00,

Challenges

People in our community deny to know their status and to take medication. Advice our community members to be tested and prevent themselves from getting sick and how to take care of themselves.

Immediate results and next steps

By doing door-to-door visits and awareness, campaign pre-school teachers former came and asked how we started the organization school pupils came to us to ask about HIV/AIDS and on prevention.

Long term Impact

To solve the stigma in the community from HIV/AIDS patients. Neglected patients by family member. Community stereotype on the infected communities’ members’ ignorance on HIV/AIDS matters. That the law also protects the infected people.

Learning and Application

Learning that. When we give people information about HIV/AIDS and other diseases, they take note and care for their own health. Existence in community have helped most people and decrease death rates counselling by HIV/AIDS. To have good communication with people. To encourage people to be tested at the clinic.