Matana Diocese
Matana, Burundi
In 2003, when HIV and AIDS-related work began in the Matana Diocese of Burundi, Eularie Ndayirorere was appointed to pioneer the work. She has since volunteered her time counselling those affected by HIV and AIDS and running a variety of other programmes. The work has continued to grow and develop.
A support group for those affected by HIV and AIDS meets monthly. People also have access to counselling services and the project tries to help with practical needs as well. Children orphaned by AIDS receive counselling and help with school uniforms and food.
Micro-enterprise initiatives are also organised through community 'associations'. These are groups of people who are living with HIV, who save together and set up income-generating activities to provide for themselves and their families. Christian discipleship groups are planned in the near future.
iThemba began partnering with the Matana Diocese at the beginning of 2007 and plans to continue this partnership until 2010. With iThemba's support, the Matana Diocese will establish and train counselling teams in the five Archdeaconries of the diocese. This will enable people to be counselled and assisted close to where they live – and further micro-enterprise associations will be set up in communities where none currently exist. In this way, it is hoped that practical and spiritual needs will be met for people affected by HIV and AIDS in Matana.
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> More about prevention and education
> More about micro-enterprise initiatives
> More about orphan support programmes
