ElectricAid Project of the Month

Food, seed and hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa

The devastating impact of AIDS on both individuals and communities is very well known. The situation is particularly tragic in South Africa, where HIV/AIDS is one of the most critical health challenges facing the country. South Africa had an estimated 5.54 million people 18.8% of the then adult population living with HIV in 2005.

The Tzaneen, Limpopo Diocesan response to the pandemic of HIV/AIDS was to run a number of projects including ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) and HBC (Home-Based Care). Anti-Retroviral drugs inhibit the replication of the HIV virus. Immune system deterioration can thus be delayed with the result that the time between HIV infection and the onset of AIDS is prolonged. This can lengthen patients' active and productive life by years.

However the effectiveness of the therapy is dependant on diet. Once a person begins treatment it is crucial that their diet is maintained at as high a nutritional level as possible. The sisters of St. John of God wrote to ElectricAid asking for assistance in funding this essential component.

The aim is to provide access to a supply of good quality food by strengthening local production capacity and structures through providing seed and food parcels to those on the ART programme. Without these parcels, providing the vital nutritional input, the ART project would not succeed. ElectricAid, in September 2006, approved €5,000 towards this sub-project. The money has been used to provide seed and food parcels. These parcels have sufficient content to keep those suffering from HIV/AIDS, as well as their families, with enough food to last them one month. The money has also been used to support the Home Based Carers (HBC programme).

In responding to ElectricAid's donation Sr. Anita O'Leary from Sisters of St. John of God has said "To receive such funding is just great, you really cannot imagine how every bit of funding helps out here."

In June 2007, ElectricAid committee member Paul Smith visited the project with his EirGrid colleague Emma Fagan. They were deeply impressed by the effectiveness of this funding. ElectricAid is now in discussions with the Diocese of Tzaneen for an additional funding of their integrated response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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