Local community organisations receive funding
"The grant will fund operational expenses for two monthly support groups for people living with HIV in Xikukwani Village."
Two local community Non Profit Organisations are amongst 50 recipients of the United State President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (U.S. PEPFAR) grants.
Last week, the Tzaneen based Nhlayiso Community Health and Counseling Centre received R600 000 while Xikukwani Development Organization Drop-in Centre based in Giyani got R495 000.
According to the Alissa Dolan of the United State of America Embassy, the U.S PEPFAR HIV and AIDS Community Grants Programme provides direct funding to community based organizations in the districts with the highest HIV burden in South Africa, that are providing services within HIV testing and counseling, HIV prevention and/or community-based care and support for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
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The director of Nhlayiso, Meriam Mathye, said the grant will fund operational expenses to run HIV testing and counseling services, including daily mobile testing and same-day linkage to care for TB presumptive and HIV positive clients to the nearest Department of Health facility.
“It will also fund 20 bimonthly adherence clubs, for adults, children, and gender-based violence victims living with HIV. It will also create jobs for the community,” said Mathye.
She said they were unable to implement some of their programmes because of lack of funds to pay community health workers.
“Nhlayiso is available for you. Come and test and know your status. It is very important,” she said.
The manager of Xikukwani, Masingita Khosa, said the grant will fund operational expenses for two monthly support groups for people living with HIV in Xikukwani Village.
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The expenses include stipends for caregivers and a dietician responsible for teaching and promoting healthy living to people living with HIV, transport, and supplies.
“The grant will also fund an HIV world map project aimed at educating youth on the HIV epidemic,” said Khosa.
Dolan said the HIV and AIDS Community Grants programme is one portion of larger U.S. PEPFAR support and for South Africa’s HIV response, conducted in close partnership with the Department of Health.
“The program has an annual call for applications across the 27 PEPFAR priority districts, with organizations selected for funding through a competitive, multi-stage process. The programme will be providing support to 96 community organizations across South Africa from October 1,” said Dolan.
She added that the Community Grants Programme is a critical component of PEPFAR because it reaches local communities, builds the capacity of community-based and community-driven organisations, and makes a direct impact in the lives of those funded.
“Each of the organisations funded through the Community Grants Programme plays a significant role in addressing the challenges we face in controlling this epidemic. Community based organizations are on the ground every day and often are a person’s entry point into care and/or treatment services,” she said.
