Diocessan HIV/AIDS Program

Through a systematic approach all the regional groupings of Archdeaconries throughout the diocese have held meetings at which volunteers from parishes have been trained as HIV/AIDS Counsellors. On completion of the course the trained counsellors were awarded certificates in acknowledgement of this. Ongoing meetings in regions of the Archdeaconries are still being held in order to ensure that support of the counsellors so trained continues.

The importance of the work and ministry of those working with people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS cannot be underestimated and thus they deserve not only the prayers of the faithful within the Church, but our practical support as well.

ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF THE HIGHVELD
REPORT OF HIV/AIDS WORK IN THE DIOCESE

Introduction
The Diocese of the Highveld covers the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (formerly East Rand region) of Gauteng Province (a densely populated urban area) and the Eastern Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province (a rural area) extending from Tembisa, Edenvale and Germiston on its western border to the Swaziland border in the East - a distance of about 400 kilometres. The Diocese also extends to the KwaZulu Natal border in the south-east. Within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese live an estimated three and a half million people. HIV/AIDS, unemployment - in some of the rural communities of the Diocese more than 80% of the people are unemployed - poverty, education and health care are major issues.

South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV of any country in the world. Around 5.54 million people in South Africa are currently living with HIV infection. It is estimated that in some of the rural communities within the Diocese, the percentage of those living with HIV/AIDS is as high as 56%. The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2010, life expectancy in South Africa will be 43 years, 17 years less than it would have been before the epidemic. 2.2 million South Africans have died of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. Approximately 900 people are dying every day. It is estimated that 1 200 000 children have been orphaned. Approximately 719 000 children live in child-headed households.

Background to the Diocesan HIV/AIDS Response
Bishop David Beetge established the Diocesan AIDS Co-ordinating Committee (DACC) in 1993. Since its inception, this committee has been responsible for:

raising awareness and educating people in parishes in the Diocese, other church denominations and communities on HIV/AIDS and related issues; setting up structures of care and support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Highveld Anglican Board of Social Responsibility (HABSR) was established in 2003.

Purpose of the Board To provide assistance in terms of social responsibility and pastoral care to people in need within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese of the Highveld irrespective of gender, race or religious affiliation.

Functions of the Board
To assess the social and pastoral needs of the communities within the geographical boundaries of the Diocese and to create the means whereby these needs may be alleviated through:

• Skills training
• Capacity building
• Financial assistance
• Pastoral care
• Utilising the structures and resources available at parochial, archdeaconry, diocesan and community levels

To co-ordinate facilities within the Diocese at its different levels (e.g. parish, archdeaconry and diocesan) with those available within the communities. The aim of the Board is not to duplicate facilities already being offered but to create opportunities for co-operation.

While the Board is part of the Anglican Diocese of the Highveld, it will seek to co-operate with community projects as well as projects established by other denominations and faiths.

The Board will seek to network with local, provincial, and government structures in its work and to co-operate and assist these structures where possible.

All projects involving the Diocese financially or in terms of a monitoring role need to be assessed and approved by the Board.

All funding proposals in support of the agreed projects will need the approval of either the Board or of the executive. In the case of the executive giving approval such approval must be ratified at the next Board meeting.

The Board will monitor and evaluate all projects that have been approved by the Board and all expenditure on such projects.

The Board may seek financial assistance in order to carry out its duties and to support the work and programmes it approves.

Composition
The Board consists of the Bishop and 12 members.

Accountability
The Board will be accountable to the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the Highveld.

Administration
The administration will be carried out by the Administrator of the Diocese of the Highveld and the audit by the auditors of the Diocese of the Highveld.

HIV/AIDS WORK OF THE DIOCESE TO DATE

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The Diocese has established or completed the following:

• Raising Awareness and Education
• Home-based Care - Eastern Highveld Region - Mpumalaga
• Home-based Care - East Rand - Gauteng
• Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Creches/Preschools
• Other Projects in the Diocese involving Orphans and Vulnerable Children
• Project management
• Care of the Caregivers
• The Wellness Management Programme
• HIV/AIDS Education and Counselling
• Project in the rural area Albert Luthuli Municipality
• Funders

All contributions to further the HIV/AIDS work of the Diocese are greatly appreciated. Any contribution can be made payable to the Diocese of the Highveld Social Projects Account and addressed to:

The Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of the Highveld
P.O. Box 563
BRAKPAN
1540
South Africa