Zimbabwe - Responsibility for children

The family strengthening programmes of SOS Children's Villages in Zimbabwe, where the 1.1 million children orphaned by AIDS make up 77% of the orphan population, work closely with the community and the local government and encourage community involvement and participation. The programmes provide long-term help through vocational skills training and entrepreneurial development both for teenagers and for guardians or parents with compromised health. Beneficiaries receive life skills training in topics such as career guidance, relationships, communication and dealing with HIV/AIDS. As a result, families and communities are increasingly able to understand the problems of children orphaned by AIDS and to take responsibility for solving the challenges that the children have to face.

Many of the programme activities that were organised initially by SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe are now primarily run by the community. The change in the lives of the youngsters who are beneficiaries of the programme has been heart-warming and encouraging. "We have seen increased self-confidence in children who were hopeless and depressed," said Gary Birditt, director of SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe. "They now have hope for the future; they plan and follow careers; they participate in discussions on children's needs and make decisions."

India - Breaking a taboo

The AIDS epidemic is growing rapidly in South and East Asia. According to the 2006 report on Global AIDS Epidemic, India had 5.7 million cases of HIV in 2005. In its own small way, SOS Children's Villages of India is trying to help, focussing on creating awareness and prevention through training programmes. A training programme on HIV/AIDS was held recently for the co-workers of SOS Children's Village Khajuri Kalan. It was organised by the Family Planning Association of India and conducted by two doctors and one counsellor.

During the four-day programme, participants were divided into two groups: SOS mothers and SOS co-workers. The purpose of the course was to equip SOS mothers and co-workers with the right information on HIV/AIDS transmission, prevention and control. The programme enabled the participants to apply the knowledge of HIV/AIDS in their work effectively so that they can provide quality services. "The programme was very useful. In our society, talking about sexual issues is a taboo. The counsellor gave demonstration on how to develop communication skills on HIV/AIDS," said SOS mother Geeta after the training.

South Africa - Developments in the SOS Children's Villages

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE ENNERDALE
SOS Youth visited St Francis HIV/Aids home where they received first-hand education on the effects of the deadly disease. At the follow-up session, the youth volunteered their services to the home.

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE MAMELODI
The SOS Social Centre, in partnership with Tateni, Vista University and Khaya Centre, has created a support group for people and children living with HIV/AIDS. A psychologist from Khaya Centre has volunteered to assist this group, helping many cope with the psychological and social issues attendant with HIV/AIDS.

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE NELSPRUIT
Khomanani, a government initiative to care for HIV/AIDS affected people, is a new programme with which SOS Children's Village Nelspruit is working in close co-operation. The relationship linked the children's village to the local radio station "ligwalagwala fm". Two representatives from SOS Children's Village Nelspruit were provided the opportunity to talk about their responsibilities and the contribution to HIV/AIDS programmes on "Khomanani Day".

England/Botswana - Football and Social Responsibility

In August, Paul Gascoigne and Ray Clemence, both former international football stars for England, visited SOS Children's Village Tlokweng, Botswana. SOS Children's Villages has a longstanding partnership with the English Football Association, and the visit was part of a programme to promote the association's international outreach programme to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS through football.

"I really enjoyed it," announced Gascoigne. "It was good to be out there, playing football, seeing kids enjoy themselves and getting the message across about HIV because a lot of the population have died or have been affected - and a lot of kids left homeless."