Dear HACT Friends, Donors & Partners We want to share with you some of the events and happenings at our Centre over the past couple months however these highlights are shared with the backdrop of the recent storm and flooding which has left much devastation in its wake. We are still hearing from our staff and beneficiaries in the Valley of 1000 Hills as to the extent of loss and damage. As you've likely seen from pictures, videos and news clips shared on social media and mainstream media channels, the rain and flooding has resulted in many families, especially in less-resourced communities, losing their homes and possessions. The disaster is widespread and
while families are reeling from the shock and grief there are rising concerns about food security, shelter, medication and blankets to keep warm. HACT is mobilising support to assist families recover from the devastation and clean up the deluge of mud, trees and debris that was created. We have put out an appeal for non-perishable food items, warm clothes, blankets and other necessities to help our communities recover and stabilise. Our HACT staff and youth interns were also badly affected and some have lost their homes, belongings, gardens as well as major structural damage to homes. It heartens us to see our team come together once again after another crisis, to assist our communities in need. We welcome any support from our partners, donors and stakeholders to help our community overcome the trauma, devastation and provide an emergency response. Your support is invaluable in impacting vulnerable communities and we at HACT value your partnership with us. The HACT team takes this opportunity to wish you a blessed and safe Easter. With thanks and appreciation, The HACT Team
Stories from our Teams on the Field to bring a Smile to You this Easter.
Grassroot Soccer Tournament HACT's Grassroot Soccer (GRS) Skills 4 Life programme hosted an exciting 1st term tournament and graduation on March 19th at the Hillside Church sport field. Four Grade 5 teams from Ukukhanya Kwe Afrika, Ukusakwabasha, St. Laurence and Umgeni Primary Schools participated in the 10 week, 10 session programmes which culminated in this tournament. We could see that our 62 young children were happy to be outside on a beautiful Saturday and tackled all the games with gusto. HIV testing services were made available on the day and the teams also took part in drama theatrics to demonstrate issues related to gender based violence, teacher-student communication, knowledge on HIV and general interpersonal skills. HACT's Skills 4 Life programme has proven to build children’s resilience and interpersonal skills as well as empowering them with knowledge about HIV and AIDS prevention, gender dynamics, healthy relationships and positive peer support.
Grassroot SKILLZ PLUS- Sne's* Story Navigating the teenage years is difficult but it is even more challenging when young people are living with HIV. HACT's newly launched Grassroot Soccer SKILLZ PLUS programme assists youth living with HIV (YLHIV) to take control of their self-care, to develop a positive body image, to build peer support and to learn how to deal with the realities of daily medication. When Sne*, a 14-year-old young woman, presented at the clinic after a suspected miscarriage, she was referred to the SKILLZ PLUS programme and she started attending the adherence support sessions co-facilitated by HACT's youth facilitator, Noluthando (pictured right). Noluthando was quick to identify that Sne was reserved and did not actively participate in group settings so Noluthando reached out to her “one-to-one”. She provided Sne with information regarding self-care, her HIV medication and its’ side effects. Realizing that Sne also had a negative self-image and her home life is not supportive, Noluthando also reached out to mentor her beyond the weekly meetings. She continues to check up on Sne to inquire how she is doing in her daily life at school and home, and to offer additional support and encouragement. We believe that the trusting relationship built as a result of SKILLZ PLUS will enable Sne not only to accept herself, but give her the confidence to form supportive relationships with others including trusted peers and to be better equipped to thrive in all areas of her life. (*Name has been changed for confidentiality)
Our Advanced Sewing Grannies Course Graduation There was jubilation and celebration as grandmothers from the advanced sewing course graduated on April 8th. The 20 talented ladies modelled their beautiful outfits; their joy and excitement were palpable as they danced their way to collect their certificates and gift bags. The past few years have been difficult due to the COVID epidemic, yet in the midst of hard times the gogos demonstrated great commitment and resilience making it impossible not to celebrate along with them. Ma Cwengi Myeni, who founded HACT's Grandmother Support Group Programme and is currently Chairperson of GMISA (Grandmother's Movement in South Africa), gave an inspiring speech explaining how the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
provided the impetus for the inception of the programme. At a time when HIV was associated when fear, stigma and denial an enormous burden of care was placed on grandmothers. While the understanding of HIV may have improved, grannies often remain primary care givers in families and find their limited resources stretched to the limit. Ma Cwengi expressed her thanks to the donors and partners highlighting the challenges faced by the programme and thanked them for their support and funding. She went on to challenge the graduates to share their skills and use them to uplift their communities. In the words of Ma Cwengi, “if you are given a gift, show you care and pass on the gift to others”. This advanced sewing course was made possible by funds from the Kloof Round Table 190 and Grindrod Logistics Africa's 'Goals for Gogos' Charity golf days, and is an extension to their support of the Beginners’ Sewing Course. Representatives of both organizations were on hand to celebrate with the gogos - thanks to Sandy and Sne from Grindrod Logistics Africa; and Matt and Jason from Kloof Round Table 190 for joining us! **A note to our local golfers, the 5th annual "Goals for Gogos" Charity Golf Day is coming up on 27 May 2022. Watch our social media for more details.
Artist of the Month Mxolisi Ngwane is the Artist of the month for April. He hails from KwaNyuswa where he lives with his wife and two children, and he heads up our Recycled Art division of Woza Moya.
Introducing a New Member to our Team Karen Pillay joined the HACT team in early April as the Fundraising and Operations Manager replacing Claire Hodgkinson. Karen is a qualified
Mxolisi has always been inspired by
Company Secretary and Governance
the colors and texture in nature. He
Practitioner having attained Board
started off his artistic journey drawing
level qualifications and comes with a
cartoons and doing fine pencil work. It
wealth of experience having been in
was at Woza Moya that he was first
the corporate sector for over 10 years
introduced to using recycled materials.
and in the NPO sector for over 20
Initially he made practical items such
years. Her experience spans a broad
as lights and bags but once he had
spectrum of development and social
grasped the techniques of working
issues including Healthcare,
with the materials, he began creating
Healthcare research, HIV Vaccine
decorative fine art.
Trials, Water Sanitation and Hygiene,
His art work titled Natures Beauty, is an upcycled piece and is made from
ECD, Youth Development, Gender Equality and Income Generation programmes. Karen has worked with
an assortment of plastic lids, sequins,
both international and national NGOs
yogurt containers and fabric.
focused on business development and
The artwork is for sale with bids being
resource mobilization.
made online. Bidding starts at R1500
HACT warmly welcomes Karen to our
and will end at the end of April. More
team and looks forward to working
information is available at
with her to build and expand strong
https://www.wozamoya.co.za/auctions/
partnerships with our donors and stakeholders, and to ensure quality programmes are maintained to our communities in the Valley of 1000 Hills. Karen can be reached at: fundraising@hillaids.org.za
Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust DEDICATED TO SAVING & TRANSFORMING LIVES... A registered Non Profit and Public Benefit organisation (NPO No. 005-800 & PBO No.13 000 1231) 26 Old Main Road Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa Tel: +27 (0)31 765 5866 Email: info@hillaids.org.za Website: www.hillaids.org.za