History: The Choose to Care Initiative
Beginning in 2000, CMMB supported more than 100 projects in five countries across Southern Africa aimed at developing community-based solutions and best practices for palliative HIV care, orphan care and support, and HIV education. The innovative Choose to Care program provided hospice care for the dying, as well as housing, food and education for children who had lost parents from AIDS-related causes. During the six years of the program, CMMB supported projects in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho in collaboration with the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. In 2006, Choose to Care was featured in the UNAIDS Best Practice Collection: A Faith-Based Response to HIV in Southern Africa: the Choose to Care Initiative.
In Action: South Africa
In South Africa, there are more than 1.2 million orphaned children, and more than 10 percent of children suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition. CMMB’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program was implemented in 2007-2011, with funding by De Beers and Anglo-American Chairman’s Fund & Educational Trust, to address food insecurity amongst children and provide after-school care. Through the program, children in Musina, South Africa received a free hot meal and homework guidance and supervised playtime every day.
In Action: Haiti
CMMB works with the AIDSRelief consortium to ensure continuity of care for children affected by HIV/AIDS. CMMB created a referral and active case-finding system, so that children in need of HIV clinical services may receive care through AIDSRelief. CMMB works with community health workers and families to reduce stigma, and educate and train care-givers on the specific needs of children living with HIV.
By the Numbers: 2010
Children receiving care (South Africa): 390
