I was invited to attend a Community Home Based Care get-together yesterday which was held at a Silozwe Primary School – a local school in the community. About 100 enthusiastic HBC people attended as well as the primary school children. The event was organised by ACET – AIDS Care Education and Training.I thought the event would start late, which is pretty typical in the rural areas but, by the time I arrived, the programme was well under way, much to my embarrassment as a seat was reserved for me at the main table.
The MC – Mr Precious Ndlovu, did a brilliant job of keeping things moving. 5 HBC groups attended and a slot was allocated for each group to either sing a song on AIDS or a poem or do a skit. Unfortunately I missed the entertainment slot from the Silozwana group as the majority of HBC folk attend Crossroads Community Church. The two groups I did see sent out great messages: The group from Gwandaville village spoke on AIDS being no respector of persons….it doesn’t matter who you are, it kills….. and the group from Tombo (rock) did a drama on the use of male and female condoms. That was really hilarious as the drama involved showing a gogo (granny) who could barely see; how the condoms work in-case she was still sexually active. A “free for all” dance followed and that was such fun. Of course, I focused on the Crossroads ladies and had a good laugh. Some were bold enough to come to the main table where I was sitting and show their moves. Amazing! It was so good seeing them enjoying themselves.
A Field Monitor Mr Bhebhe, then addressed everyone and had an open Q & A time on the concerns and struggles faced by the HBC teams, some being that an HBC per
son cannot visit a homestead alone because they may be misquoted or get into trouble, some families hide the sick and say the a patient is sleeping. Mr Bhebhe said that in order to be effective and have an impact in the communities, HBC teams need to visit patients.
Competitive netball matches followed between the teams. That was really interesting as it brought out the competitive spirit in the teams.
It was a good morning and I enjoyed meeting the folk from ACET as well as local leaders.
By Molly Manhanga
A Field Monitor Mr Bhebhe, then addressed everyone and had an open Q & A time on the concerns and struggles faced by the HBC teams, some being that an HBC per
son cannot visit a homestead alone because they may be misquoted or get into trouble, some families hide the sick and say the a patient is sleeping. Mr Bhebhe said that in order to be effective and have an impact in the communities, HBC teams need to visit patients.Competitive netball matches followed between the teams. That was really interesting as it brought out the competitive spirit in the teams.
It was a good morning and I enjoyed meeting the folk from ACET as well as local leaders.
By Molly Manhanga
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