It has been recognised for some time that South Africa is experiencing a devastating HIV epidemic. South Africa has a population of 44.8 million. At least 5.3 million citizens have HIV which is is higher percentage than any other country. Nearly half the patients in state hospitals are HIV positive.
Around MTYU
As with the rest of the nation, the impact of the HIV / Aids epidemic in the Eastern Cape Province has started to make itself fully felt with the third highest rate of HIV amongst the regions of South Africa. It is estimated that around 100,000 of the 600,000 Aids orphans in South Africa are living in the province.
Few resources, eg. money, training and community health workers in HIV education and prevention, have reached the rural communities.
What can we do ?
A trained team of HIV and Aids educators from City Gate Churches are now visiting South Africa twice a year, building up relationships in the villages and educating the children and adults in the villages. Led by Andrea Mason, the team spends one week using a variety of teaching methods to show the children and adults how to keep themselves safe from HIV, and how to cope with being infected by the disease.
At the moment the team is only able to visit twice a year - the hope is that they will be able to raise enough funds to set up a permanent project which will provide this vital teaching all year round, and also create employment for the trainers, who will be local people.
If you would like to help with funding please contact us. 01323 439700 | 