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, , , , , , , , , ,

Meetings and preparations… – HOPE Cape Town in action…

Friday, 12. August – Full board of trustee meeting in the afternoon. The process of restructuring of HOPE Cape Town is continuing. Now, 5 years into the existence of the HOPE Cape Town Trust, the envisaged future which led to the founding of the trust kicks finally in. The trust is assuming more and more the function it was thought for: looking after the association’s money and to ensure the financial stability and future of HOPE Cape Town Association. It is great to see that what you have dreamt of years ago suddenly comes into reality. So decisions have to be made to make the synchronise trust and association in a way beneficial for the work and people we care for. Exciting times but with two additional trustees duly elected and an expansion of the advisory board the work will bear the necessary fruits.
This week the board of the association is meeting, time is running for the welcome of the first ever director for HOPE Cape Town. This year, the 10th anniversary of the association sees hard work to put into place everything for the well-being of the organisation for the next years to come. It shows also how dedicated the board members are trying to achieve the best possible for the future of our work.

In October, the custom Germany trip is due again and preparations are also on the way for talks, encounters, workshops and all the rest ahead. Frankfurt, Munich, Aachen, Trier, Berlin, Dresden, Koblenz and maybe Hamburg are in the moment on the map, logistic is sometimes difficult, but at the end it will all come together to promote HOPE Cape Town again in Germany.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Reflection, , , , , , , , , , ,

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, , , , , , ,

Fundraisers for HOPE Cape Town

There are two major fundraiser events for HOPE Cape Town, which happen in Cape Town and Dresden. Every May the “Ball of HOPE” invites its guest for entertainment, live music, a good meal and much more – doing good and feeling good at the same time. This event is always in cooperation with the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Cape Town Office. Originated from a “dinner-dance” event at the Mount Nelson of the German-speaking Catholic Community Cape Town in 1998 it changed into one the highlights of the social calendar in Cape Town.
The other event is in the German autumn, always the last weekend in October: the HOPE Gala Dresden. Initiated by Saxonia Systems in Dresden, a sponsor of the first hour for HOPE Cape Town (thanks to Andreas and Kathrin Moench, who got married in Cape Town) and organised by Viola Klein the Gala is the major fundraiser event in the east of Germany and developed its own style, drawing guests from all over Germany to Dresden for this event.
HOPE Cape Town is grateful to all and everybody organising the events and those who attend and make the project work together with all the other unsung heroes who give money and energy to help those less fortune.

www.hopegala.de is the website for the HOPE Gala Dresden.

 

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, , , , , , ,

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, , , ,

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