God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

08/14/2010 • 4:22 pm Comments Off on 14.08.2010 Whom will you meet…

14.08.2010 Whom will you meet…

…whom you encounter? This is a question I am always asking myself when going on travel, trying to tell the story of HOPE Cape Town and of the millions of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.

Will I be able to bridge the gaps of reality here and there? Can I touch their hearts and minds to make them understand where I am coming from and where most people will end without a helping hand, a meaningful consideration which might not change the world, but the world of one individual – or better: two worlds: the world of the person, who helped and the person, who received the help…

It is indeed always an adventure to make oneself heard and through all the talks, there should be visible the faces of those who are born on the disadvantaged side of life. Our world is not perfect, will never be, but I am sure we can make a difference to bring more balance to the living conditions of those walking the planet.

Filed under: General, Reflection, Uncategorized, , , ,

08/12/2010 • 10:00 pm Comments Off on 12.08.2010 Reflection

12.08.2010 Reflection

Today reflection of a different sort: I am presenting to my Rotary Club of Signal Hill a Powerpoint presentation highlighting the history and success of HOPE Cape Town. In 2001, Signal Hill was part of the launch and I remember well the ladies of the Rotary Club preparing the sandwiches and cool drinks after the official act.
For those present in those days in 2001 it was good to hear how the project developed and what has been achieved in the last years. Even if Rotary is sometimes very complicated in their way of donating and supporting in form of a matching grant there is no doubt that a lot of good comes out of the spirit of Rotary and all the activities of thousands of clubs around the world. I am glad to be part of such a great movement.

Also good news from Trier today. The book of Dr. Nebe of the University of Trier about Africa is in the final stages. I was glad to be able to contribute one chapter on HIV and AIDS in Africa. I personally like such contributions as they challenge me also to work in an academic way again.

Otherwise the day was a day of preparation for my next trip to Germany. The Lutheran Community in  Hamburg Blankenese and St. Gerold in the “Walzertal” in Austria will be two locations, where I will be able to talk about the work, HOPE Cape Town is doing. I am looking forward to meet people interested in our work and to exchange ideas and gain new ones as I always do when I engage with people through question and answers after such talks.

I am specially thrilled to participate – even only shortly- at the “Bundespositivenkonferenz 2010” in Bielefeld, the federal conference of people living with HIV in Germany and to contribute to a podiums discussions on the way, HIV is seen in the media and in the public eye.

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

08/11/2010 • 10:09 pm Comments Off on 11.08.2010 Time is flying again

11.08.2010 Time is flying again

Again and again I have the feeling that time is of no relevance as hours, days and weeks are floating at a breath-taking speed. Meetings coming and going in speedy way and sometimes one has the feeling to run behind oneself without being able to catch oneself.
Management meeting, senior management meeting, meetings with individuals, meeting with representative of the SOS Kinderdorf, meeting with staff, with HOPE community health workers – it is amazing how colourful life can be.
HOPE Cape Town will soon enter a phase of restructuring to  be able to live up in the usual professional way to all the demands of a developing portfolio. And of course it has consequences on the running of the HOPE Cape Town Trust.

This evening I also saw for the first time the video, the Romantic Hotel Group put together to advertise their safe house project. Very well and professional done – congratulations. Tomorrow morning I will meet with a representative of this hotel group, currently in Cape Town. I am looking forward to this exchange of ideas and news.

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

08/09/2010 • 10:55 pm Comments Off on POZ Magazine: Global Fund Seeks Contributions From China, India

POZ Magazine: Global Fund Seeks Contributions From China, India

China, India and other countries with fast-growing economies should begin contributing to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said the head of organization, Agence France Presse (AFP) reports. The Global Fund is gearing up to collect $20 billion from 2011 to 2013 and is fighting a cutback on donations from western countries. To fill the gaps in financing, the Global Fund is asking for innovative financing, but also for help from emerging economies.

Source: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/Global_Fund_Funding_1_18880.shtml

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

08/07/2010 • 10:53 pm Comments Off on POZ Magazine: Using Faith-Based Groups to Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa

POZ Magazine: Using Faith-Based Groups to Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa

Source: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/FBO_Fights_AIDS_1_18881.shtml

Since faith-based organizations (FBOs) provide an estimated 30 percent to 70 percent of health care in Africa, they should be used to help fight HIV/AIDS, according to a study of nongovernmental organizations reported by PlusNews. FBOs have established relationships and trust in their communities, according to the report, and they can quickly respond to situations, send messages and identify those most in need. Study authors recommend FBOs be used to address stigma, cultural practices (such as not taking meds to let God heal disease) and the distribution of services.

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

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