Counsellor Training

Vukukhanye is in the process of partnering with the HIV Pathogenesis Program (HPP) (Doros Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson Mandela School of Medicine), WCF and Simunye Apostolic Ministries (SAM) in the implementation of an HIV/AIDS training and support programme, which is based on the manual ‘Quality Living with HIV – a toolkit for care providers’ (Coutsoudis & Thomas 2004). The programme to be implemented focuses on facilitating the empowerment and improved quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. It has been tested by HPP in two hospitals in KZN since 2002; has reached more than 2000 antenatal attendees and over 400 individuals; and outcomes reflect its effectiveness in facilitating positive behavior change. The manual was recently translated into and printed in Zulu, and the training of the first group of fourteen counsellors started on the 21st of October 2006. After completion of the training course, including practical experience; these trained counsellors will be able to facilitate training/support groups in their communities. The groups can then be multiplied within the target population through the training of previous group members to themselves become counsellors/group-leaders.

Chesterville High School

In August 2006 Vukukhanye, WCF and Crossroads collaborated in a one-week abstinence and character-based HIV/AIDS education programme in Chesterville High School. Following the positive feedback, and on request from the school, weekly training has since been provided; with the intention of starting the two-year Crossroads’ syllabus in this school in 2007.