World Aids Day 2024 - a reflection
Mbedza started working in Malawi for many reasons but one of the significant catalysts was a conversation over 20 years ago. In 2001 we met Peatry Ntodwa, acting as a translator for UK visitors. “What is the goal of your life”, we asked Peatry “We are in a war with HIV and we are going to beat it!”, came the response.
The journey that we have been on over the last 23 years to assist Peatry and his co-workers has been a challenging one. There have been significant step changes in that journey including the commitment from Manor Church of England Academy York in 2011 to support Mbedza’s HIV/AIDS work on a regular basis. In 2019 we were able to build and open a new centre with the help of Sue Bird. Sue has been another step change and the community of support that Sue has galvanised in Brussels has been truly remarkable. The advent of the new Songani centre has transformed Mbedza’s impact and you get a sense of that in this film - https://bit.ly/3CRbwdn
A third step change has been the 23 monthly sponsors whose donations enable us to pay a significant part of our HIV team’s wages.
(Photo - Fyson, Mbedza HIV counsellor)
We could add a fourth step change - just over a year ago Manor CE Academy were on a group visit to Malawi and sent us an unexpected gift of £1000. We used that to buy additional testing kits and the result has been spectacular. From January to October 2023 our counsellors were able to test 1804 people. For the same period in 2024 that has become 3156. We see the same increase in our condom distribution - 30,281 from January to October 2023 and 44,160 for the same period in 2024.
(photo Bainatu - Mbedza HIV counsellor)
A further step change has been the introduction of our sanitary kit programme and Hope Ambassador programme. 2024 has seen a renewed engagement in conversation and education with young people about sex and relationships. Our Malawi Director wrote a play titled ‘It’s time for change’ to challenge young minds about the myths and misconceptions that they have. Our strategic goal is to create a HIV free generation - a HIV free youth. The need to help young people with their myths and misconceptions is illustrated by the questions girls ask in our sanitary kit programme.
Earlier this week three of our Mbedza female staff - Daphney, Bainatu and Mphatso presented to 65 girls from a Primary School near Lilongwe. They distributed sanitary kits and spoke to the girls about sex and relationships. 14 girls came forward requesting counselling and a HIV test. Reflecting on those 14 brave Primary School girls tells us that there is much to do in helping young people navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood.
(photo Daphney - Mbedza Deputy Director, presenting to girls at a Primary School)
To Manor CE Academy, Sue and the community in Brussels, our 23 monthly donors and all those others who enable this work to continue Mbedza and the team in Malawi are very grateful.