[procaare] Reaching Out, Scaling Up: Track D Report

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Reaching Out, Scaling Up: Track D Report
- SA HCBC Conference, Rustenberg
********************

Track D:  Report :  Positive Living
Presented by Criselda Kananda: Track Chair

# Introduction
* Living positively focuses on personal welfare, well being & psycho-social aspects of
affected & infected individuals by HIV/AIDS
* Holistic approach vital
* Human rights in HCBC essential

# Nutrition
* Endemic poverty experienced by communities
* Nutrition initiatives target the client only/family not included
* Lobbying for extension of school feeding schemes
* Social grants extended to children > 6 years of age
* Promotion of community food gardens
* Encouraging food stokvels
* Strengthen interdepartmental & intersectoral co-operation

# Personal growth
* Disclosure as a healing mechanism
* Enabling  & supportive environment crucial
* Social prejudice & negative values remain barriers to personal growth
* Challenge prevailing mindset & encourage empathy & tolerance
* Strengthen link between disclosure & positive living
* Educate the community regarding :
- Disclosure & its benefits
- Critical issues of tolerance
- Confidentiality & rights of others

# Support groups
* Co-ordinated & widespread suppport groups needed for:
- PLHA's
- Volunteers
- Caregivers
- Families

# Factors that threaten support groups:
* Fear of discrimination
* Breeches of confidentiality
* Lack of communication
* Inadequate counselling

# Conclusion
* Challenges to positive living should not be regarded as stumbling blocks
* Make personal growth a reality
* Healthy living is a key to success

# We have the resources & the ability to solve our problems if only we had the political
will.

# It has to start somewhere, let us as Africans show them how to change this situation

Acknowledgements:
Rapporteur team: Andrea Meeson : Sibambene Development Communications
All participants that attended the group discussions in Track D.

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