A way forward on HIV/AIDS

The first time Violet Mofokeng approached other women to talk about sex and disease, it did not go well. "They used to call us names and say 'Those people have AIDS'," said the 28-year-old mother. But Mofokeng is persistent and articulate, and passionate about her work. Each week, she and 200 other volunteer educators canvas their town of Maputsoe, Lesotho, to inform people about HIV and how to protect themselves, to dispel myths and to offer support to those living with AIDS. "It is unusual. We just go everywhere," said Mofokeng. "People think 'You silly people out there talking about it.' But they get used to it." The volunteers wear bright coloured T-shirts saying "Ha Re Thibeleng HIV/AIDS Ha'Moho" (Let us prevent HIV/AIDS together, in Sesotho). They visit neighbourhoods, churches, schools and workplaces, such as the factories that are springing up with increasing frequency. Maputsoe is linked to the South African Free State town of Ficksburg by a bridge across the Mohokare river. This border post is the busiest crossing point between the two countries, with thousands of people passing through each day. For years, the Basotho streamed into South Africa to work in the mines. Now, the flow comes the other way. The US Africa Growth and Opportunity Act has brought dozens of factories to Lesotho, and Maputsoe is one of the towns that has benefited. Each day hundreds of people, mainly women, line up outside factories making garments for Kmart, the Gap, Timberland and Lee jeans, as well as lesser-known knitwear labels. The lucky ones get hired for short-term work. The rest linger outside the factories all day, hoping for an opportunity. The unemployment rate in Lesotho is roughly 51 percent, so even minimal pay (which can range from 180 to 800 maloti per month, roughly US $20 to US $100) is seen as better than nothing. Aid workers say if the women do not find work, prostitution can become an option to earn money and stay in town. In a country with an AIDS rate of 31 percent, the migration of people seeking work helps spread the HI virus. "AIDS exists and was killing us but we knew nothing about it," explained Mofokeng. "We didn't have enough information." "People see the funerals held on Saturdays and come to realise that many people are dying," said Martin Molapo, 29, another peer educator. "Now, each and every person seems to be understanding." One block from a large maize mill in Maputsoe is a small brick house that has been converted into a HIV/AIDS resource centre. This centre, with yellow walls covered in colourful AIDS awareness posters, is where Mofokeng and Molapo work, with the Sexual Health and Rights Promotion (SHARP) programme of CARE International. Upon entering the front door, visitors are greeted by a volunteer at a small table with condoms and pamphlets. They receive information on sexually transmitted diseases, counselling, schedules for centre activities, support groups, home-based care and referrals for AIDS testing. The centre is open every day, and its services are free and discreet. "We won't talk about the people who come here and tell their problems to others," said a volunteer named Tau, sitting at the front desk. "Your business is your business." In the living room a TV plays soap-opera style videos about safe sex. Bookcases hold magazines, books and games like Monopoly, checkers and chess create a relaxed atmosphere. Volunteer educators are grouped with their peers, such as migrant labourers, street vendors, fathers, mothers, children aged 10 to 14 and young people aged 15 to 25. Once a week, the groups meet to share their experiences and exchange ideas. At a June meeting, the 15 to 25-year-old group discussed their challenges: "Some churches don't want to talk about condoms. They only want to discuss abstinence." "We have to be practical. That is not happening." "More than two or three people are dying in each village, so what are we supposed to do? That means we really have to talk about the condoms." "We need to approach the clergy." Mofokeng and Molapo began as volunteers in 2000, the year the centre opened. Each has a high-school education, and no other job. Peer educators receive 180 maloti a month, to help with travel expenses. It is not much pay, but given the lack of jobs, they say, they are glad to be gaining skills that may help them acquire work. "We have a tremendous love for our country, and to see people dying here, it's not a game to us. We have to do something," said Molapo. "We see the massacre, people dying because of lack of knowledge. It touched us. We just want to support and do whatever we can do." The centre and its volunteers serve about 3,000 people each year in Maputsoe and surrounding villages. "When I arrived here, I said to myself 'I don't know if I can manage this'," said Mamokete Hlaele, the site manager. "People come from all over to work in the factories or near the border to sell something. The resource centre was quiet and I didn't know if people would come in. But I can say we are succeeding because people are coming to talk about their problems and to watch the videos. I can say we are getting there." A sister resource centre lies on the South African side of the border in Ficksburg. There is also a pair of resource centres at the Maseru-Ladybrand crossing. At busy times, like pay periods and holidays when people will be travelling, SHARP volunteers stand at the borders passing out pamphlets and talking about AIDS. "The community is so committed to this project," said Hlaele. "They are so devoted. We don't have the money to serve refreshments for the meetings, but they come every time. Some days volunteers just show up to help." The community members have plans to further their impact. They intend to form a community-based organisation to raise money. They have started a vegetable garden and a fish farm, whose profits will support AIDS orphans. They hope to develop an activity centre, where young people can play sports. "You feel you have to help solve someone's problems," said Molapo. "To me it's a pleasure to see someone who came to me with a problem, [and] then be out of the situation. It's a healing. I can see I am doing something for my community." Hlaele would like to expand the project in other districts. "This is the way forward," she said. "The government should support the efforts of the communities and the non-governmental organisations. The government has to join hands with us. We cannot make a difference alone."