Nombasa and Xoliswa, Sizophila ARV Counsellors
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation believes that our progress in treating, preventing, and researching HIV rests in the power and potential of the communities we serve.
Sizophila, meaning ‘We Shall Survive', is the name for a group of well-trained lay counsellors who provide education about HIV and tuberculosis and the treatments available for these infections. They support patients at Hannan Crusaid Treatment Centre in Gugulethu who are commencing antiretrovirals by helping to ensure adherence to their therapy.
Our Sizophila counsellors represent the possibilities of a long, healthy and happy life after testing HIV positive. They each have accepted their positive HIV statuses, received therapy and treatment, and now are employed by the Foundation to encourage and counsel others.
At present more than 2000 adults and children are receiving life-saving therapy. To Sizophila's credit, this antiretroviral programme is performing better than most in the world: very few of the patients have taken themselves off treatment and almost all are taking their full treatment doses, resulting in complete suppression of the virus according to laboratory blood-testing.
"Each of these young people, themselves living with HIV, is committed to helping others in the true spirit of ubuntu. These are the new struggle heroes - their battle is the new apartheid. AIDS has resulted in a lost generation and pain and suffering of immense proportions throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These young people show that despite their personal suffering they can be beautiful, they can have fun, they can appreciate and enjoy life. Their role in the successful therapy of fellow South Africans has ennobled them and enabled them to rise above their difficulties and live lives filled with hope, Sizophila."
-Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Not only are the patients living longer but they are feeling better. Quality of life data from this clinic show that all the aspects measured had improved to levels that are seen in similar populations without HIV infection.
There are many anecdotal stories that can be told of individuals, such as the weight gain and vitality of our first, seven-year-old orphan, who is now going on ten. Nobafundi, one of our very special counsellors said, "We are losing our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children. The teachers, the doctors, the politicians, the people we rely on to give us jobs - they are dying." Sizophila and the ARV programme have changed this for many in Gugulethu by providing new job opportunities in this time of need.
