Our HIV and AIDS wellness started in 1991. Our aim is to provide and develop a range of holistic services and training to reduce HIV prevalence and to support PWAs

Initially our centre answered the HIV toll-free line for the KZN area.  This was a result of our stronger isiZulu capacity and this very successful project was taken over by LifeLine Southern Africa when the number of call received in KZN reached 8000 per month and the system in the local centre was operating at full capacity.  The project forced the center to become HIV literate, to learn to talk about all aspects of sexual intercourse and lead to all our volunteers and staff becoming experienced HIV counselors.

Stories from the field
 
A 16 year old female wept on receiving a HIV- result.  She had been gang raped 2 years earlier and had assumed she was HIV+.  She was counseled by the rape crisis section and was helped to tell her family about the rape.  She is a happier and passed her school year better.  

A 13 year old boy tested HIV+.  He thought he was positive as he knew his mother had died of HIV.  He lives with his granny on a state pension.  He said:” I don’t need anything, my granny feeds me and takes me to the clinic and loves me – I have everything”.

A young couple asked to be tested.  They have been faithful to each other, were clearly in love and decided to test because of the school testing project.  They were both shattered when they were HIV+, and began accusing each other of deceit.  The couple was then counseled separately and it became apparent that the girl’s mother probably died of HIV.   She agreed that this was probable and said: “I remember that I was sad because my aunt said I must not touch my mother or sleep with her anymore.”   With permission the girl’s aunt was asked to join the session as soon as possible.  She confirmed the mother’s status and said she had been reluctant to tell the girl as she wanted her to have a care-free childhood.  While they were all shaken and tearful they left having agreed that no one was to blame and that they have the knowledge to support each other.  The girl’s CD4 was low and she is now on ARV’s.