The faith based organization response to HIV/AIDS : a case study of the JL Zwane Memorial Church in Guguletu, Cape Town

Date
2005-04
Authors
Xapile, Nobis Bridget Zethu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is very common to talk about or refer to people as “People Living with HIV/AIDS” but never “A Church with Aids”. Responding to HIV/AIDS has earned the JL Zwane Memorial Church this name or rather this label. Members of the congregation, many of them young, were dying and remaining silent, not doing anything, would have meant contributing to the disaster that had struck. Something drastic had to be done to respond to the pandemic or else the whole community would have perished. This was not easy as it meant risking losing those already in the church. To many people, HIV/AIDS was seen as a punishment from God to those who have sinned. For this reason many did not want to have anything to do with People Living with HIV/AIDS. The whole response is driven by the needs of the community i.e. those infected and those affected. This means listening to people tell their stories and then respond accordingly. Listening is the key in the response as the whole response revolves around people and their experiences.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kerk, of geloofsgebaseerde organisasies , is dikwels die eerste om te weet dat iemand MIV positief is. Dit is ook die eerste persoon of organisasie wat deur die geïnfekteerde in vertroue geneem word. Die Kerk, as organisasie, kan dus 'n deurslaggewende rol vervul in die voorkoming, maar ook by die versorging van diegene wat MIV positief is of aan Vigsverwante siektes ly. Hierdie studie beskryf, in die vorm van 'n gevallestudie, die rol wat die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Guguleto in die voorkoming van MIV/Vigs vervul. Die gevallestudie bespreek die probleem; die ontleding van die probleem en die uiteindelike program(me) wat daargestel is. Riglyne vir die betrokkenheid van Kerke (en geloofsgebasserde organisasies) word uitgespel en voorstelle vir verdere studie word gemaak.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
Keywords
AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Church work with the sick -- South Africa -- Cape Town, HIV-positive persons -- Services for -- South Africa -- Cape Town, AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Services for -- South Africa -- Cape Town, AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- Religious aspects -- Christianity, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- Religious aspects -- Christianity, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation