Blog 4: December 2020

Last month our HIV counsellors were able to test 146 clients for HIV. Of these 146 people, 3 tested positive and were referred for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at the local hospital. Our counsellors will then be following them up to check if they were assisted accordingly at the clinics and to provide further support wherever possible. The rapport established between our counsellors and HIV positive clients is particularly important to help promote the good health of such clients.

Success of the HIV Support Group

Part of the centres ongoing support to the community involves our HIV support group. Some of the clients were not following procedures on how to take their medication, causing them all sorts of worries and anxieties. However, after joining the support group and being counselled on positive living and proper use of their medication, the health and wellbeing of most members have improved. Most support group members are testifying that the group is really helping them with the knowledge of how to live positively and how to take care of themselves. Some of our members have even helped their friends that are not in the group by advising and sharing with them what they are learning from the support group which is, indeed, a lifesaving group. It is good to see people living with HIV living normal and healthy lives.

The start of a new life

The video below beautifully illustrates why our HIV intervention programme at Songani is successful, important, good value for money and life changing.