Church Intervention Reduce HIV and AIDS Related Deaths in Umzimkhulu

Given this belief, Rev Zangwa and other pastors who have been enlightened through World Vision trainings, could not rest when the community of Ncambele, in Umzimkhulu was burying young people (especially) who lost their lives due to HIV and AIDS almost on a weekly basis. He attended World Vision training through the Channels of Hope programme, which aims to engage churches and faith based organisations in the response to HIV and AIDS. Through the training he was confronted with his responsibility as a pastor to embrace and provide hope to those affected and infected by HIV. “Before I attended the World Vision’s HIV and AIDS training, held in 2010, I felt helpless in this regard as I did not know how to intervene or what to do to curb the situation, ’’ he confessed. For him preaching to the youth about Christ who can save and keep a young person ‘free from trouble’ was the only solution, but the situation was rendering this elucidation powerless. For parents continued to bury their children and grandchildren in big numbers – a heart breaking feeling.
“I’m forever grateful to God for the HIV and AIDS training and mentorship programmes facilitated by World Vision here in Umzimkhulu, those sessions opened my eyes! exclaimed the 53 year old Christian Apostolic Church Pastor. It was during these trainings that he started to realize what it means for the church to be socially relevant. “I might have been a very ignorant Pastor, for I did not even know or think there was a possibility I could have HIV positive congregation members, I thought HIV was a non-believer’s disease,” he said.
Now that Rev Zangwa’s knows better, he together with other pastors from the local churches are working tirelessly to better the quality of other people’s lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally. The church has since established a committee of both women and men, who volunteered to spearhead issues related to HIV and AIDS to make sure women, men and children affected in different ways get the care and support they require. In the greater Umzimkhulu area, pastors are at the forefront of community development work in general. “For instance in my church I do not only encourage people to go and do HIV test so I can refer them to the relevant centres, I also organise sessions with the greater community where, we deliberate on issues affecting us as the community,” said Pastor Nomthandazo Zangwa.
HIV related death cases have now decreased in this area, for people now know they are free to talk to even their pastors about the HIV status. “I’m happy to say that since we started implementing the lessons from the Networks of Hope training, we have not buried any of our HIV positive church members,” said Rev Zangwa.
Together with World Vision in Umzimkhulu, the churches also encourage and educate HIV and AIDS patients the importance of planting fresh vegetables. Seedlings were distributed to the deserving individuals and the churches are there to provide an ongoing mentorship and coaching.
The surrounding churches have come together and formed an OVC (Orphans and vulnerable children) coaching programme. In partnership with WV and the Social Development Department, through this programme, children are empowered with skills and knowledge on how to deal with challenges they face.