The depth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa is at the same time palpable and hidden in the rural communities. People often die for unexplained reasons at too young of an age, and the signs and symptoms of the disease are visible even in friends and family members who refuse to acknowledge their presence. And yet those who conquer the stigma of the disease face long distances to even find a testing facility. The nearest treatment—after expensive transport and the unreliability of the country’s ARV supplies—seems unreachable. It is estimated that one in four people in Uta are HIV-positive, and there is not a single member of this community who is unaffected.

The South African government was not only slow to address the issue of HIV/AIDS, it led the way in perpetuating myths and feeding social stigma. Under political pressure in 2002, the government finally appointed a task team to address the epidemic and committed to improving the provision of antiretroviral treatment. While promise from the government is a sign of hope, it is difficult to recognize how this commitment translates into action in rural areas far out of sight from the minds of city officials. Much of the struggle against the epidemic in these areas, therefore, is committed to education and awareness. In a sad reality, testing, counseling, and treatment take a backseat.

With international recognition of the hold that HIV/AIDS has on this country, it seems now that only local commitment and action that will generate forward progress in the fight against the epidemic. As Think Impact Fellows, we have the opportunity to see this take root in rural communities. As we finalize the details of constructing a community hall, we are able to look to the future and see how this will be so much more than a physical structure. The members of the Project Steering Committee, directing the planning and development for the Uta Community Centre, see the affects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on their community, and are searching tirelessly for ways to reverse the damage and stop the spread. Excellent, Lucky, and Rames—local leaders all under the age of 25—have committed the past few months to attending community health worker courses in HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. They envision using the hall to share what they learn with their community. There is excitement surrounding conversations of future health workshops and testing opportunities. Furthermore, Angie and Forget—a single mother and a grade 12 student—share a vision of leading learners who will gather at the community hall to watch dramas and participate in after-school activities that will among their various benefits, serve to educate kids and teens about health issues vital to their growth and success.

We are completely inspired by the people we work with here in Uta. Everyday we see the goals of the struggle against HIV/AIDS in South Africa manifested in the visions of our committee members. Each conversation and every new idea are encouragement for the success of the Uta Centre and the immense of potential in the community for future.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Smart Global Health is seeking essay submissions that answer the following question in 500-800 words by midnight, November 20th 2009:

“What is the most important thing the U.S. can do to improve global health over the next 15 years?”

This is a great opportunity to get your voice heard on how to approach the issue of global health.  Students and professionals alike are encouraged to submit, running in two separate contests.  The author of the winning essay will receive a $1,000 scholarship with a chance to be published in the Commission’s final report.

The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy focuses on practical solutions that maximize efficiency, produce measurable results, and engage the American public. Help them expand the conversation to include the ideas and opinions of people who are passionate about global health issues, by submitting your own ideas to this essay contest.

Here are the details:
• Submissions will be accepted between October 12 and November 20, 2009.
• Entries must be at least 500 words and no longer than 800 words.
• The student who submits the winning response will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The student who submits the runner-up response will receive a $500 scholarship.
• The non-student who submits the winning response will receive a $1,000 prize. The non-student who submits the runner-up response will receive a $500 prize.
• The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health will be the sole arbiter of determining the winning entries.

For more information and to submit your own entry, go to: http://www.smartglobalhealth.org/pages/essay-signup

In 2007, SMRC hosted its first Global Development Internship. After the life changing and deeply rewarding summer of working with youth in Manyeleti, South Africa, the US students that had joined us had made close friendships across the globe. Among the biggest issues that the GDIs (then known as American Participating Students or “AMPS”) were exposed to and discussed at length was the rapidly spreading HIV/AIDS issues.

When we returned from South Africa that August, we saw a headline for a condom recall in the region where we had been working and continue to work. The recall stated that “Choice Brand” condoms were faulty. The idea of faulty condoms in a high-risk HIV/AIDS region looked like a human rights violation – and we were all devastated. As a response, SMRC sent around a petition for condoms to be donated from quality companies to the community.

This year the condom issue has taken a different, much more promising direction. This summer GDI Trae Watson and the Buffelshoek Trust organized for 60,000 condoms to be donated per month to the community in the effort to combat HIV/AIDS. We are grateful to him and Jasper Watson for their hard work. What an achievement for health!!!

Whether you are in the United States or live in rural Ghana, one thing is for sure, public health is the key to living a healthy life. What does public health really mean? In an impressive new campaign, “Healthiest Nation in 1 Generation,” American’s have the opportunity to engage in the questions of how public health efforts can improve our lives here in the US. The campaign aims to get American’s working  on improving our domestic health situation, but I think every nation should be part of this challenge. The most important measure of a society is whether its people are able to live a healthy, long life.

Watch the film: http://www.generationpublichealth.org/

Bill Gelfeld, recipient of a scholarship to join the Global Development Ambassadors trip to South Africa this month, put together an outstanding slideshow of photos and descriptions from the trip.

I got out to South Africa on Saturday with our team of Global Development Ambassadors. It’s been a whirlwind of exciting development and progress. The group arrive to the Uta community on Sunday where we saw a remarkable new structure, complete with a beautiful red roof at the site of the new health clinic that will serve 50,000 people! The clinic, built by our partner The Buffelshoek Trust, who is working closely with the Mpumalanga, Department of Health, have devised a plan that will ensure at least 160 people every day (likely much more!) will receive high quality medical care for their HIV/AIDS, bone fractures, diabetes and other need. Accompanied by the clinic will be an outstanding outreach program to educate the community on this new resource that they have been dreaming of for decades.On Monday we met with DreamFields director John Perlman and area Sports Coordintor, Ralph to visit sites for future soccer fields (picture to all of this are forthcoming) in Hluvukani and Welverdiend. We are delighted that are partners are answering the pressing need to build community spaces that provide pride and support to local youth.

We enjoyed visits that afternoon to Mahlathi Primary school, where we visited a well worn library and met with the acting principal there named Winnie. More action followed, when we went to Samson Sibuyi Primary School in Makrepeni and the Community Center in the village. We saw dozens of children in the courtyard, a tank full of water from the rainwater catchment system built by Michael Oyler during last year’s GDI, and an agriculture project on the grounds.

We visited Shiviti Primary School where children were, by the dozens, reading from books in the Jackie Craven Library SMRC helped build with the local community. We met with folks at the Bakery project and explored possible product diversification as well as discussed future market opportunities. Currently, hundreds of loafs of bread are made and sold in that bakery, but they are just getting started. The work here is remarkably exciting, and that is only a small taste of what is going on. We will share more when we are back in the states. Get ready to see pictures, videos, and more!

This month has been filled with new academic challenges that remind me of South Africa.  As I continue my education in Global Development, I come across information about challenges that impoverished communities face all over the world.  I’m working on my dissertation which is going to focus on traditional healing practices in South Africa.  So many people in Uta need healthcare but find it unaffordable or inaccessable.  There is a building project for a new health clinic that will benefit this community, but a focus still needs to be placed on prevention of disease.  This can be achieved using community health days and other advocacy programs to raise awareness and provide information about transmission.  The Uta Community Center will be able to provide a location for these awareness projects.  I can’t wait to finish fundraising and get started so that Uta can have a healthier future.

I just read “How Soccer Explains the World,” by Franklin Foer. I recommend it to people who enjoy international relations and folks interested in learning about culture and conflict in places near and far. The book uses soccer as an analogy for things local, including the Irish/British tensions, Serbian/Croatian conflict, Brazilian corruption and even American life. The book also offers a glimmer of hope for the work that we do here at SMRC with partners including FUNDaFIELD, Buffelshoek Trust and Dreamfields.

Photos courtesy of Josh Marks (www.joshmarks.com)

With those partners, we are busy building and developing soccer fields in rural South Africa. The question of the importance of soccer in children’s lives really cannot be overstated. Sports such as soccer are central to a child’s upbringing in most parts of the developing world, and can be a place for children to really gain discipline and connect with their community in the hope of building a brighter future.

Many creative organizations are leverage sports for social change, and SMRC along with our partners hopes to build on that vision. We have hosted tournaments, but in anticipation of the World Cup in South Africa next year, we also hope to work with the community on more local organizing. Young people can become great agents for exposing the truths about HIV/AIDS in the area, domestic violence and even employment opportunities if gathered around common interests. 

The mission remains the same, to empower young leaders to improve community health and education. The way to get there can be creative. If the book I just read tells me anything, the way soccer is perceived in the community and what it represents, can be a great place to work towards healthier living and increased collaboration. Do you have any success stories from your work in Sports and Social Change?

Congratulations to The Buffelshoek Trust our partners in Manyeleti, South Africa on their incredible progress building a health clinic in Uta village that will have HIV/AIDS resources. SMRC has been involved in developing relationships with the community and has worked on some fundraising initiatives to construct the clinic. We are excited to work in the clinic, bringing interns, medical students and most of all, working with the local population to ensure that the clinic is highly effective in providing health care. Here are some pictures of the clinic under construction. The roof is being built as I write this post!

School teachers, village elders, mamas and babas, the chief and four assistant chiefs, Rotarians, and hundreds of pupils clapped and whistled in festivity.  The Honorable Member of Parliament (equivalent to a US Senator), and the District Commissioner (equivalent to a state governor) and their entourages were in attendance.  A reporter from the local radio station captured the event on air.

One-hundred and sixty Community Health Trainers who completed our four-month workshop series graduated and were issued certificates and uniforms. These leaders are trained in issues such as waterborne diseases, first aid, and nutrition. They will take their knowledge back to their homes and train the rest of the community.

We celebrated the completion of fourteen ventilated improved pit latrines and twenty hand-washing stations which were constructed at schools and the health clinic.  We also recognized the two successful community-wide HIV/AIDS awareness and testing days we hosted.

In total the Student Movement for Real Change and Rotary International invested $50,000 in these health improvements.

Traditional performers shook feathers and danced to the beat of drums in between the many speeches.  The ceremony closed with the presentation to us of three chickens, traditional fabrics, and a basket of locally grown maize, oranges and coconuts. Now two chickens – one was stolen- are tied to the roof of my apartment in Mombasa and I am trying to figure out how to do the slaughter.

Following the ceremony we feasted on stewed beef and rice and continued the dance party in the shade of a tree.