UBUNTU AFRICA: MY SUMMER 2011 EXPERIENCEJamie Joseph ’13: Health Grand Challenges
This township, about 30 minutes outside of Cape Town boasts a population of 1.5 million people, as well as high rates of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, unemployment, and violent crime.
Khayelitsha
About Ubuntu Africa
Ubuntu Africa Founded by Colorado
College graduate in 2006 Provides comprehensive,
holistic care for HIV-positive kids and teens
Of any country, South Africa contains the largest number of HIV-positive individuals: 5.6 million
Many of these individuals are children, 1.9 million of whom have been orphaned as a consequence of the epidemic
Lack of parental support
Holistic care: 5 Focus Areas Health Nutrition Education Social Work and
Counseling Confidence
Building Activities
How does UBA work?
Kids in S.A. receive little education about HIV/AIDS
NO counseling or emotional support
Insufficient food; lacking in nutritional value
Negative attitude about themselves and towards the fight against HIV/AIDS
UBA’s Youth Educator holds a weekly session discussing how the HIV virus affects the body, how infections are transmitted, and more.
Monday “Weekend Stories” Daily meal: whole grains,
protein, veggies Constant positive
reinforcement and confidence building leave Khayelitsha!
Specific Issues UBA’s response
Support Network
UBA works to not only educate and support children, but provide their families with the support network necessary to care for an HIV-positive child.
Parental support groups HIV-positive parents Foster parents
Grant tracking Doctor and clinic visits Home visits: weekly, yearly Personal counseling Food packages
What did I do?
Ubuntu Africa Chapter PacketHow To Start an Organization
Publicity Guide
Event Planning Guide
Letters
FAQ
…more?
Communication and Social Outreach
Twitter and Facebok
Connecting with other NGO’s
Great tool for small organization
Find/publish material that would attract more followers or friends
Grant research/Networking
Ubuntuintern.tumblr.com
Staff Interviews
Cultural Commentary
Daily triumphs and struggles
Photos
Tips about Cape Town
What will I take away?
NGO/Developing Country Experience
Occasionally dysfunctional
Cooperation between Western and South African staff
How to expand/strategies for outreach if you’re a small NGO
Future Policy Ideas Food for school and school for food Ease restrictions on ARV pickup Speak more openly and positively about
HIV/AIDS, especially in townships Increase prevalence/quality of HIV/AIDS
education Talk about sexual health
Personal Growth New, renowned
commitment to global health issues
Hope for this generation of HIV-positive children
Newfound passion for traveling
Thank you!