Community Advisory Boards (CAB), or volunteer representatives from each of the communities we operate in, provide a valuable communication link between local stakeholders and researchers.
DTHF's research and interventions rest upon the important principles of community involvement and ownership. CABs in Masiphumelele and Nyanga districts are comprised of between 12 and 25 members, each of whom represents various community-based organisations, non-profits, street committees, and development structures.
The role of each Community Advisory Board includes:
- Developing and maintaining strong communication and understanding between researchers and the community.
- Representing and voicing the interests of the community and rights of participants in the study.
- Informing their respective constituencies about the research to be done.
- Acting as resources on HIV information
- Providing advice on best recruitment practices to researchers.
Each CAB, including the adolescent CAB - the Future Fighters - meets regularly during the month to ensure that members are up-to-date on research studies. DTHF also conducts training workshops for CAB members so that all representatives are knowledgeable advocates of our work.
We rely on these partnerships to both inform and facilitate our work, and we are grateful for the contributions these volunteers make.
