World AIDS Day, observed on 1
December every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic
caused by the spread of HIV infection
Mr.MlulekiZazini, the Secretary General of the National Association of
People Living with HIV and Aids (Napwa), spoke
to Eduloan and shared his experiences on the virus. He discussed the
following:
1. HIV testimony
2. Living a
positive lifestyle (Know your status, nutrition, treatment and positive living)
3. Rights of people
living with HIV and HIV/AIDS in the workplace
4. Latest
developments in research for HIV/AIDS Cure
Thereafter all
staff joined hands in prayer for those infected and affected. The prayer was
lead by Nkosinathi Kobo.
Below is the beaded
HIV/AIDS emblem that was handed out to employees, all proceeds went to the
Topsy Foundation to fund their HIV and AIDS projects.
The Topsy
Foundation partners with rural communities, empowering people infected with,
and affected by HIV and AIDS, through medical care, social support and skills
development.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
1. To offer relief,
care, medical and support services, to people living with HIV and AIDS and
families who are affected by HIV and AIDS, in rural communities.
2. To provide for
the needs and personal development of orphans and children made vulnerable by
HIV and AIDS.
3. Poverty
alleviation and the empowerment of rural women through skills training and job
creation.
The Shukushukuma
Beadwork Project is one of the many skills development projects that they
run whereby local women are taught different beading techniques by
Christine Fischer, a well-known Johannesburg artist who manages the beadwork
project, focusing not only on the training of the women but imparting essential
knowledge pertaining to the whole process. This includes guiding
the women through the production process, understanding the associated costing
and marketing, in a drive towards entrepreneurial independence for the women.
