Thursday 4 December 2003

This site will be updated on 11 December  2003 at 17:00

Lifestyle - Leefstyl

• United against HIV/Aids
• Stop the violence in society

positiveness to look forward to.

"People try to look happy, but many are afraid, sad, depressed."

Rev Snyman encouraged people: "With God there is no fear, we know He is in control."

But, he added, it was a bit frustrating that the church in Paarl is still hiding, not moving on the issue.

"The church nowadays wants to be healthy and wealthy. It is time to realise the Church of God is in pain, in struggle, tattered."

Dr Sam Pick, author af a book on HIV/Aids and the challenge to churches, said it was the responsibility of Christians to reach out to people affected and infected by the virus.

"More than 43 million people are infected with HIV, in South Africa there are 4,2 million sufferers - one out of every five."

Dr Pick said 70% of infected people are women and 30% are still at school.

"Soon we will have more than two million orphans."

Patty Thomas, herself infected by HIV, spoke on the issues facing people living with HIV/Aids.

"Only you can challenge your fears," she said, adding that people living with HIV/Aids don't need social judgement.

"We do need all the love and care we can get.

"People must realise there is absolutely nothing wrong with my body or my intellect.

"So stop stigmatising us, respect and support us in the choices we make.

"My worth is in Christ Jesus, my strength is in my friends and loved ones."

Patty concluded with a passionate declaration: "I am loved, I am wanted and I am infected."

The Mayor of Drakenstein, Herman Bailey, said the whole world was united around the issue of HIV/Aids.

"We know the problem is growing at an alarming pace and the organisations in this field will have their work cut out for them."

He commended industries that have committed themselves to develop an aids policy and also to do awareness training among personnel.

The Mayor also presented certificates of recognition on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang, to ten people in the community for outstanding service in the spirit of Khumanani.

They are Lowna Liebenberg, Jackie Loubser, Freddy Lackay, Nicky Konzapi, Amanda Potgieter, Hester Veldsman, Priscilla Solomon, Patty Thomas and Marvin White.

The clergymen and councillors present also committed themselves to the pledge: "We, the priests, ministers and pastors of Drakenstein Municipal Region confirm and undertake that:

* the church is the Body of Christ, if one part suffers then the whole body does;

* we will through sermons, liturgies and prayers convey this message,

* in doing so, we will welcome all who are infected and affected by HIV/Aids as part of the Body of Christ, thus making everyone feel at home and accepted in our congregations;

* we pledge our support and involvement to those infected and affected as well as to support structures in our region and nationally to restore dignity, remove stigma and enhance self worth."

People who want to contact the Paarl CCAP or the Aids Action Group, can phone Rev Stephen Snyman (862-2747) or Jolanda Lerm (863-3072 work or 083-580-9501)

SILENTLY and solemnly they marched through the streets of Mbekweni on Friday.

Schoolchildren, some of them probably themselves victims, demonstrated against violence against women and children.

Their march was part of the Sixteen Days of Activism campaign of no violence towards women and children.

In a joint statement, the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children, Women Against Child Abuse, Childline, and the United Sanctuary Against Abuse drew attention to the problem of rape in South African schools.

The organisations quoted Medical Research Council (MRC) findings that about 15 percent of sexually abused children in the country were raped by teachers in schools.

They also claimed to have reported more than 200 such cases to provincial education authorities, with no response forthcoming.

Also quoting MRC research, the Women's Health Project said 54 000 rape cases were reported to South African police every year.

The Department of Social Development says in a press release common causes of violence and crime may be high levels of unemployment, cycle of revenge for old hurts and loss of loved ones and lack of social and sport facilities for youth, leading to alcohol and drug abuse.

They say most people involved in perpetrating violence were once victims of violence themselves.

Some ideas on how to address those underlying causes of violence:

* starting income generating projects with unemployed people;

* helping people access training or further education in relation to their dreams;

* trauma counselling for people exposed to violence, including ex-combatants and gang members;

* organising community cleansing ceremonies or peace events;

* organising entertainment and sports for all youth.

On Tuesday Dr Zola Skweyiya, Minister of Social Development, launched a resource directory for victims of crime.

This resource directory will go a long way to help counsellors, victims, other role players to have a ready reference guide that assists them in helping victims and it will serve as a comprehensive data base of what services are available in this country.