God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

Young, gay, religious and the thread of HIV.. a deadly mix?

In one of the newsletters relating to HIV issues I found this email. I am touched because once again I am reminded how difficult it is for a young person from a religious background and family to be gay and when HIV is added as a concern – faith becomes a deadly threat. There is so much still to do to get it right and to bring faith to be the liberating factor, not the killing factor… The burden to carry seems for this young man, having life still in front of him, too heavy. The RC youth day in Madrid where so many young people gather now for prayers and to meet the pope – wouldn’t that not be a great opportunity to bring out this powerful message that God loves unconditional – no “but” added. Just love and acceptance.

 Young, depressed and confused – Aug 14, 2011

I am 16 year old gay teenager. My 20 year old boyfriend recently found out he may be HIV positive. The doctor told him his viral load is very low and that the virus is almost detectable in his blood and that he needs to revisit in 6 months again to do another hiv test to see if he is really positive. I am confused. We had unprotected sex before his results. I topped him but did not ejaculate inside of him. I am not circumcised and I am really worried about my chances of infection. I got a test done privately with my boyfriend by his doctor but it came back negative. It’s been eight weeks since that incident and I have noticed slight pains under my arms pits, on my legs near my groin areas and even under my chin, but the area is not swollen. I am very depressed because I was being very young and stupid.  My parents will surely kill me if they knew I have contracted this disease. There is the possibility of me being thrown out of the house because my father is a pastor. I have not been sleeping nor eating much and it’s really affecting my grades in school. I hate myself of being gay and wonder why this has happened to me. At the same time the pressure of all this is really overwhelming and I don’t want to make the wrong decision in killing myself. Nobody understands besides my boyfriend but this lifestyle is looked down upon from the church and many people in our society. Please sir, I need your advice. Thanks.

Source: http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Mental/Q216792.html?ic=700101

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , ,

South African HAART programme now open to all

All HIV patients with a CD4 count of 350 or less will now get government HAART treatment, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe announced today during a SANAC meeting. This is indeed good news for South African living with the virus. He also revealed that from 13,5 million newly tested South African, some two million people were tested positive.

More info:

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/arv-program-open-to-all-now-1.1116850

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Politics and Society, , , , , , ,

POZ Magazine: Angels Travel on Horseback in Southern Africa

In Lesotho, a Southern African country the size of Maryland, health workers on horseback are transporting blood tests, drugs and medical supplies between 
urban hospitals and rural mountain health clinics. More than four months of the year, bad weather washes out the roads, making them impassable by vehicle, so Horse Riding for Health, started by the United States Agency for International 
Development and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, allows patients to be treated year-round. One in four adults in Lesotho is living with HIV.

Source:

http://www.poz.com/articles/HIV_Horseback_HIV_2634_20643.shtml

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Networking, Society and living environment, , , ,

POZ Magazine: HIV-Positive? Get Screened for Anal Cancer

All positive people can—and should—be screened for anal cancer, says a recent VA study.
Testing their HIV-positive clients for anal cancer, the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Miami found a high rate of precancerous anal lesions (and two cases of cancer)—nearly 15 percent, whether or not the clients had a history of anal sex. Many providers and researchers believe early detection and treatment can cut down on complications and death.

Source:

http://www.poz.com/articles/Anal_Cancer_HIV_2634_20652.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, , , ,

Transformation and development…

After 10 years, it is always good and right to put an organisation to a stress test, as it is called today, meaning to review the strength and the weaknesses and to see which way leads to a good future.  The new director for HOPE Cape Town, the transformation from a management committee to a board, new research and government strategies ask for a good review of our work. After being 5 years in existence more in the shadow of the HOPE Cape Town Association, the HOPE Cape Town Trust is now also asked to define its new role as the guardian of the donations.  It is indeed an exciting time for HOPE Cape Town, even when it means more work then usual, more thinking and more discussion about the right way forward. It is good to have people in both boards who have HOPE Cape Town and its work at their hearts and minds. Mission statements and goals must be adjusted and redefined – there is still lots to do for this year to have this process finished until the next AGM’s are due in January 2012.
And there was today a great news that HOPE Cape Town got a donation which will enable us to start also to work in Manenberg, together with Fr Wim and the Catholic parish. They have already great success with afterschool care provided together with the Amy Biehl Foundation. Partnerships always means to get synergies and to use the resources as best as one can. Transformation is necessary, but the normal work at grass root level goes on as most of the portfolios which enables children and families being affected or infected with HIV to see a light at the end of the horizon.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , ,

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