Since 2008, Trust has been working with the Umdoni and Vulamehlo HIV/Aids organisation (UVHAA) to support those affected by the disease in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, particularly those in the Umdoni North district, inland from Scottburgh.

At the core of their work is providing home based care through a network of nurses and care workers for rural communities who would otherwise have no access to healthcare services. In addition to home-based nursing care, counselling, education and advice, the programme also offers support to orphans and child-headed families and others affected by HIV/Aids and TB.

In order for their impact to be sustainable, UVHAA are now focusing their efforts on skills transfer and capacity building. At the heart of the Umdoni North operation has been the Amandawe Community Care Centre (ACCC) and with training and mentoring support from UVHAA, and funding from the Trust they have taken over the running of the programme. This will eventually mean that the community will be trained and organised to take care of themselves.

By making HIV testing available in homes it aims to encourage more people to know their HIV status and through increased education and knowledge, encouragement and support to improve community based responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This programme is quite simply a lifeline to communities in often desperate circumstances and one which we are proud to support.