Isivivane Community Development Project (ICDP) - South Africa

Isivivane is a Zulu word meaning collective effort towards a common goal. The word is closely related to the Zulu proverb, "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" which when translated into English means, "a person is a person through other people," therefore what affects one must also affect others. In that way, the founder finds this name very appropriate in the light that it says exactly what she thinks of American people (through SAFA) who wish to contribute towards making better the lives of those children whose parents have been victims of HIV /AIDS. These children will depend on the help from the SAFA Campaign to get education in the absence of their parents. ‘Isivivane’ suggests that we care about and own the sufferings of these children as if they were our own. The SAFA Campaign through its concern for the needy and those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa fits in very well with the name. To date, the project has provided water to those villagers of KwaNdebeqheke, South Africa, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, who were without water and hence were susceptible to diseases from consuming unsafe water.

The project has South African poor people’s interest at heart. South Africa is one of the countries in the Sub Saharan Africa that is worst when it comes to HIV/AIDS infection. It is divided into 11 provinces. KwaZulu-Natal is one of the country’s provinces and has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS prevalence. As such, there are funerals literally every week. The situation is worse in the rural areas where there is no assistance of any kind whatsoever. People in those areas are mostly illiterate and cannot even find help from the scarce resources available. Poverty is a big contributor to the situation. Most people in these areas go without the essential basic needs. Having managed to provide water for the KwaNdebeqheke village through financial help from the SAFA Campaign and from other American groups, the ICDP project is now directly addressing the needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS. The project is not limited to KwaNdebeqheke children, but accommodates any child in the province of KwaZulu-Natal with immediate need, depending on the availability of funds.

Mission Statement

Isivivane Community Development Project respects the dignity of every human being; young or old. We strive to eliminate HIV/AIDS epidemic through educating children who have suffered the loss of their guardians, parent or parents through HIV/AIDS related death.

Objectives:

• Isivivane Community Development Project seeks to assist through education, those children whose parents have died of Aids. We are committed to providing continuous support to the children we identify as needing this kind of assistance. We hope to take the child up to high school after which it should be easier for themselves to stand on their feet.
• The number of children who can be assisted will be determined by funds available.
• January 2004, six children have been identified but only two have been guaranteed assistance, according to the priority of need.
• It is the duty of the committee members to liaise with the relevant schools on the progress of each child in the program; we are committed to providing continuous support to these children through home visits and monitoring their school work.
• The kind of financial assistance provided is such that it will cover the child's tuition fee, books, uniforms and food.

Project Coordinator: Nompumelelo Zondi

If you wish to contribute to this project, please contact SAFA's Co-Chairs:
Dr. Kwadwo Sarfoh or Dr. Marcia Sutherland
Phone: (518) 442-4248

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