ANGLICAN AIDS AND HEALTHCARE TRUST

Vision
Our vision is to be a holistic and engaged AIDS ministry accessible to all in Southern Africa.

Mission

As the Anglican AIDS and Healthcare Trust, we reflect the unconditional love of Christ to all through our HIV and AIDS programmes.

Using the structures of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we:

• develop and implement relevant programmes
• educate, train and build capacity
• research and share information and mobilise resources
• monitor and evaluate effectiveness
• build partnerships and networks
• advocate and lobby for social justice.

The church’s role in responding to AIDS

With its established presence in the community, reach into outlying rural areas, large and willing volunteer base and its acknowledged moral authority and ethos of compassion and human rights, the church is well placed to contribute significantly to the efforts to counter HIV & AIDS.

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa covers six countries – Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, as well as the Islands of St Helena and Ascension. All programmes and projects in Southern Africa are coordinated by the Anglican AIDS Office, based in Cape Town. Initially set up in April 2003 to implement the Isiseko Sokomeleza (Building the Foundation) programme, the office is now responsible for three programmes, each with its own staff and funding, yet integrated into one ministry.

Siyakha (we are building), was launched in 2007 with funding by the British Government's Department for International Development (DfID). Building on the skills and capacity developed in the Isiseko Sokomeleza phase, Siyakha continues to focus on reducing stigma and strengthening our capacity to deal with the growing pandemic in Southern Africa.

The programme oversees and supports hundreds of local projects that care for people living with or otherwise affected by HIV. It also seeks to prevent the further spread of the virus and to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Southern African communities, where it is exacerbated by poverty, stigma, gender inequalities and violence against women and children.

Siyafundisa (teaching our youth), launched in 2005, has reached thousands of teenagers through peer education and life-skills training programmes, equipping them with the skills and values to make wise choices. This programme is funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)with support from USAID.

Vana Vetu (caring for our children) grew out of a programme initiated by members of the Mothers’ Union to provide holistic care and support for orphaned and vulnerable children. Wherever possible, the aim is to keep the children in their families and communities. Vana Vetu currently receives funding from both DFID and PEPFAR.

Trustees

The trustees are (back, left to right): Sr Alison Munro,
Dr Reshma Badal, Revd Bheki Magongo, Dr Miranda Pillay
and Bishop Merwyn Castle (Chair). (Front:) Dr Reno Morar,
Ms Thandi Xundu, Ms Nomusa Njoko and Ms Nomampondo Barnabas.

Bishop Merwyn Castle – Chair
Bishop Merwyn is the Bishop of the Diocese of False Bay, having been in the Anglican Church ministry since 1969. As bishop he has fully supported and actively encouraged the HIV & AIDS initiatives in the diocese and has been especially involved in Fikelela (the Anglican AIDS ministry in the greater Cape Town area) including the Children’s Centre in Khayelitsha and Heaven’s Nest in Ottery.

Dr Reshma Badal
Reshma has a medical background and is currently working as the Chief Technical Advisor at the KZN Department of Health. This involves technical support and policy and development. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the medical and health fields.

Ms Nomampondo Barnabas
Nomampondo, who is herself HIV positive, has been involved in varied HIV & AIDS initiatives including NAPWA (National Association for People with HIV/AIDS), the KZN Department of Health, the AIDS Foundation and the KZN Provincial Aids Council. She is currently employed at the University of KZN and heads the Centre for AIDS Programmes of Research in SA.

The Revd Canon Bheki Magongo
Bheki is the Rector of Usuthu Mission Parish, which comprises eight stations in Swaziland. He is the chaplain to the HIV/AIDS programme and is a member of the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Department under the Council of Swaziland Churches, where he offers a theological perspective on social justice.

Dr Reno Morar
Reno is a medical doctor and specialist in the field of public health. He also has well developed technical skills in the areas of finance, education and social development. He is a board member of the Council for Medical Schemes and has been appointed as Advisor on Health Services at UCT as from 2008.

Sister Alison Munro
Alison has been involved in AIDS since 1990, specialising in counselling and training. At present she is the director of the AIDS Office of the SA Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which has the largest treatment programmes in South Africa. She is also the Councillor for South Africa of the Dominican Sisters of Oakford.

Ms Nomusa Njoko
Musa was one of the first in South Africa to disclose her HIV status publicly. She is the founder and director of Khanya AIDS Interventions, a creative communications company specialising in wellness, health and safety programmes. She is also a motivational speaker, HIV & AIDS consultant and a musician.

Dr Miranda Pillay
Miranda is a Lay Canon in Diocese of Saldanha Bay. A lecturer in the Department of Religion and Theology at University of Western Cape, she is involved in AIDS programmes on the campus and also offers spiritual counselling. She has a keen interest in stigma and gender issues.

Mrs Thandi Xundu
Thandi is a retired professional nurse, having worked for 37 years in several hospitals in SA. Her background of community nursing has given her a passion for AIDS. She is involved in the Mothers’ Union and other women’s organisations.