Akharwaray at the launch of the Alfred Rens Child and Youth Care Centre,
Donkerhoek
16 October 2007
Introduction
Cameroonian novelist, Calixthe Beyala said that "A society that does not
care about the well being of its children is a society without a future."
The Alfred Rens Child and Youth Care Agency that we are launching today is
proof that government, the private sector and the civil society can work
together to care for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
HIV and AIDS have had a negative impact on the social well being of our
communities.
Over the past few years we witnessed how AIDS has negatively impacted on the
family at home, the workplace, threatening and compromising the economical
ability and security of all communities.
Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have
been orphaned as a result of AIDS.
More than 12 million of these children live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it
is currently estimated that 9% of all children have lost at least one parent to
AIDS. (UNAIDS, 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, Chapter 4: The impact
of AIDS on people and societies.)
The brunt of HIV-associated mortality is expected to occur within this
decade and as a result, millions of children will lose parents to AIDS.
In the Northern Cape the HIV and AIDS prevalence is standing at 18,5 %
according to ante-natal clinic survey of 2005 (Source: Statistics SA).
The number of orphans in some Sub-Saharan African countries exceeds half a
million, and, in some countries, children who have been orphaned by AIDS
comprise half or more of all orphans nationally. (United Nations Childrens Fund
(Unicef), 2006, 'Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children
Affected by AIDS)
The recorded number of orphans and vulnerable children stands at 3 330 in
the Northern Cape Province of which 1 800 are in Frances Baard alone. It is
estimated that there is close to 80 Child Headed Households in our
province.
It is with no doubt that the HIV and AIDS pandemic is in need of aggressive
preventative measures, treatment and care options.
In the absence of a cure, the mass mobilisation of every sector of society
remains our most effective weapon.
The emphasis must be placed on keeping the majority of the population
uninfected with special emphasis to the most affected and critical areas such
as the High Transmission Areas (HTA-sex workers, routes) through relentless
prevention and risk reduction strategies such as educational awareness and
support programs.
The Department of Social Services and Population Development implement home
and community based care programmes in partnership with non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), community based organisations (CBOs) and faith-based
organisations (FBOs) that render care and support services in the communities
through the use of volunteers working as caregivers.
The Department also runs a successful home community based programme with
570 voluntary caregivers (all of whom also receive a stipend of R1 000). This
service includes emotional support, material assistance and protection of
rights regarding access to services.
The Department has allocated R12,527 million which is used for Home
Community Based Care (HCBC), training and capacity building of NGOs as well as
awareness programmes. An additional R250 thousand is spent on each Isibindi
site which brings the allocation for this particular programme to R1,5
million.
On an interdepartmental and intersectoral front there are provincial and
district IIDS Councils which are made up of representatives from all sectors
including mining, business and civil society.
The Isibindi programme which is active in Donkerhoek, Greenpoint, Soul City
and Leratong Park will be rolled out to Platfontein in the near future. To date
the programme has benefited 124 families and 278 children.
The Alfred Rense Youth and Child Care Agency will strengthen the Isibindi
programme in Donkerhoek and in this way we will be able to extend the circle of
care to the greater Donkerhoek Community.
It is estimated that the department will allocate close too R 200 thousand
per annum for the running cost of the Alfred Rens Child and Youth Care Agency.
This amount will increase depending on the expansion of the programme in
future.
A basket of services including education on substance abuse, HIV and AIDS as
well as other life skills will be offered at the centre.
Partnerships are essential if we are to win the fight against HIV and
AIDS.
Since the launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, AIDS and STIs
2007-2011 in April this year by our Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a
strong emphasis was placed on "Partnerships".
This new plan underlines the importance of community participation and
sectoral involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa and is
also very clear in stating that the only way that the fight against HIV &
AIDS can be won is through partnerships.
The majority of government's programmes are implemented in partnership with
NGOs and CBOs, without whose support we would not achieve the successes we have
recorded in the improvement of the lives of orphans and vulnerable
children.
In conclusion
Thank you to De Beers, the National Association of Child Care Workers
(NACCW), Child Welfare, the facilitators of the Isibindi Programme and the
Community of Donkerhhoek for support this initiative.
Through your continued support the Alfred Rens Child and Youth Care Agency
will bring about an even more positive development to the community of
Donkerhoek.
Issued by: Northern Cape Provincial Government
16 October 2007
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)
