Monday, 16 April 2012

' Sizanani' Unsung heroes of Love

Sizanani is a Zulu word meaning “to help one another.” This word not only expresses the mission of Sizanani Home Based Care Givers but also expresses the spirit of the organization’s founder, Elizabeth Rapuleng. 
Sizanani Home Based Care Givers is a community based organization that was founded and initiated by Elizabeth twelve years ago in South Africa.  Elizabeth, a former educator, rallied together women in her community to help her fight the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Soweto district and to combat stigma and discrimination against those affect or infected by the virus.
The women formed Sizanani to provide care to orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) impacted by HIV/AIDS, provide treatment and care for those who are HIV positive and equipping youth with life and work skills preparing them for the future.  It is one of the largest child care initiatives in the Soweto Township caring for over 380 children daily, half of which are living with HIV/AIDS.   They feed the children three times a day.

Sizanani also provides bed-ridden mothers whilst affording children a safe place and abuse free environment.  The organization also emphasizes the involvement of families in the fight against AIDs by ensuring that families especially children get information regarding about AIDS.

The program operates from mobile containers located on a church yard.  They run training programs for the community: computer literacy and sewing.  SAC is providing funds for the first phase of development in expanding income generating and training activities.
Elizabeth saw a need and set out to find a solution.  By reaching out to other women, Elizabeth not only demonstrates what can happen when one woman seeks to make a change in her community but also shows us that a group of women working to make a difference can make an even larger impact.  Sizanani has become one of Soweto’s premier OVC programs
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At Love's Den, we will continue to celebrate heroes like this, for with them, Life is made comfortable for the less privileged, traumatized ones in our society.

Long Live Siziani Foundation.

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