prevention & education
HIV and AIDS are almost entirely preventable. We believe that through education for all, the empowerment of women and children and engaging men with issues related to the disease, the spread of this pandemic can be stopped. There is an increasing amount of data that shows behavioural change reduces the number of infections in African communities.
Holistic prevention programmes are about more than just education:
Abstinence – statistics show that delaying the age of first intercourse reduces the spread of this devastating disease.
Being faithful – if HIV-negative couples remain faithful to each other they will reduce the risk of being infected.
Consistent and correct use of condoms
Drugs – antiretroviral drugs for those infected, drugs to treat sexually transmitted infections and to treat and prevent opportunistic infections
Evaluation or testing for HIV – testing should be available to everyone who requests a test and associated counselling services and support groups should be provided. Worldwide, only one in 10 HIV-infected people know their status
Financial strategies – micro-enterprise initiatives and start-up grants at a micro level as well as ongoing pressure on Western governments to address unfair trade legislation on a macro level
Gender equality – empowerment of women and education of men
We see the church as a powerful tool in the fight against HIV. Church leaders are in a strong position to challenge behaviour and encourage local responses. In order to do this they need training and resources to respond in sensitive and meaningful ways.
Partner projects – prevention
> Centre for Urban Mission, Kenya
> Ethembeni Community Project, South Africa
> Ikhwezi Support Group, South Africa
> Indlela Life Skills Programme, South Africa
> iThemba Lethu, South Africa
> Izandla Zethemba, South Africa
> Lithemba Support Group, South Africa
> Little Seeds, South Africa
> Living Hope Community Centre, South Africa
> Masizakhe Community Project, South Africa
> Newfrontier Aid Trust, South Africa
> Rema Ministries, Tanzania
> St Paul's Outreach, South Africa
> Success Self Help Group, Kenya
> Tholulwazi Uzivikele, South Africa
> Word Alive Ministries, Malawi
Fact: Fear of violence prevents women in Africa from accessing HIV and AIDS information, being tested, disclosing their HIV status, accessing services to protect their infants and receiving treatment and counselling (UNAIDS)
> Prevention report available to download in the Resources section.
