Voices from the front lines
Pillars of Hope
 Working in the field of HIV/
AIDS is a deeply humbling
experience…I have become, if
nothing else, a witness...A witness
to the blisters, the thrush, the
weight loss, the hacking coughs
and to death, with the enormous
cost of funerals and the endless loss faced by so many.
And yet, this is not only a story of death and hopelessness,
because one is also a witness to the pillars of hope working in
the community. There are home-based care workers, most of
whom are desperately poor, volunteering in the community to
wash, cook and take care of the sick and their families. There
are nurses, counsellors, religious leaders and neighbours,
all of whom are doing such amazing and loving work in all
corners of the country. There are the patients who, on death’s
doorstep, are cracking jokes and babies who despite not ever
knowing what it is like to feel healthy, smile brightly. For me,
working in this field has not resulted in a sense of despair;
instead, it has restored an appreciation of community, and
what that means, and affirmed a sense of respect for the
value of each and every human being.
Siphiwe’s story
Swaziland Positive Living For Life’s (SWAPOL) initial success
can be attributed to the vision and energy of its founder and
director, Siphiwe Hlope. Here is part of her story as told to Lucy
Steinitz, one of the SLF's African-based monitoring consultants.
"Through my work, I spent a lot of time in one of Swaziland’s
most rural districts where gradually, several women disclosed
their HIV status to me. I became their mother, their sister, their
friend. Finally, I said that I am also HIV positive. Don’t worry,
I told them, I have experienced the same victimization as you
have from my own family. We’ll work together on this.
I thought that people victimized us because they didn’t
understand much about HIV. So, I said, let’s form an
organization that will assist us, and also help to train others.
We decided to focus on reducing stigma, promoting healthy
nutrition, and developing community gardens and other
income-generating activities.
What we have learned is that by working together, we can
achieve almost anything we want. This is a very powerful
feeling. I am no longer upset about all the bad things that
once happened to me. Through SWAPOL I have discovered
new parts of myself, and a whole new life."
The Year in Review
 In 2004 there were 25.4 million men, women and children living with
HIV/AIDS in Africa – 64% of the global population living with HIV/AIDS.
Africa was home to 75% of global deaths due to HIV/AIDS in 2004.
Only 8% of people who need antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa are receiving it. However, all developing countries,
including those in Africa, are determined to meet the World Health
Organization’s (WHO) target of enabling treatment for 3 million by the
end of 2005.
The pursuit of a microbicide gained momentum over the past year
and may be the best hope we have to help prevent the spread of HIV;
many believe that only a vaccine will ultimately end the pandemic.
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what's inside
From the Grassroots
...of Canada
All
across the country Canadians have undertaken projects large and small...
[more]
...of Africa
Here
are three examples of projects that continue to inspire us... [more]
Look at Your Reach
The
Stephen Lewis Foundation currently funds over 60 initiatives with
35 organizations in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa [more]
(pdf download)
Voices From the Front Lines
Jenny
Parsley in South Africa and Siphiwe Hlope from Swaziland share their
experiences [more]
The Year in Review
[more]
You Asked Us
Whatever
happened to the Canadian generic drugs legislation? [more]
Why
does there need to be such a strong focus on women? [more]
Where
did the money come from and how is it being spent? [more]
If you can give more
We've
been humbled by the response of Canadians to the Foundation... [more]
please email
us to receive future
e-newsletters
Our Grassroots newsletters are available as pdf downloads:
December 2006 (1.5mb)
July 2005 (1.1mb)
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