KHUMBULANI OVC COMMUNITY INTERVETION & ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN
ABOUT KHUMBULANI OVC CENTRE
- In 2022, Khumbulani Centre was awarded a grant by NACOSA (Networking HIV, AIDS Community of South Africa) to implement the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Program. The program was rolled out in the Eastern and Western sub-districts with a target of reaching 9,072 beneficiaries infected and affected by HIV. A team of 43 dedicated staff members was deployed to deliver this vital program. However, due to a funding stop order implemented by the Donald Trump administration—which affected USAID grants—the program came to an end in January 2025.
- Despite the termination of external funding, Khumbulani Centre remains committed to continuing its essential work in supporting communities across sub-districts. The Centre continues to offer services that include tracing and re-linking individuals to care, treatment literacy sessions, adherence support, and psychosocial services through roving community-based teams.
- Khumbulani Centre is actively seeking further funding and donations to sustain and expand its impactful programming. The continuation of the OVC Program is crucial in restoring hope for individuals and families, particularly children who are unaware of their HIV status. Through ongoing support and structured disclosure processes within families, the Centre plays a key role in empowering communities and improving health outcomes.
- Furthermore, the Centre’s efforts directly contribute to the global 95-95-95 strategy by supporting HIVpositive individuals to remain in care and adhere to treatment. Sustaining this program will not only improve lives but also strengthen community resilience in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.
FOOD PARCEL DRIVE FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV
- The image below captures our Community Health Workers (CHWs) conducting a food parcel distribution drive targeted at children living with HIV, with a primary focus on those who have defaulted or disengaged from treatment due to food insecurity. Through this initiative, Khumbulani Centre aims to address one of the key barriers to treatment adherence—lack of adequate nutrition.
- In addition to supporting defaulting beneficiaries, the team also identified households where, despite consistent adherence to treatment, there is a critical lack of food security. These households were also included in the distribution to ensure sustained support for treatment adherence and overall wellbeing.
- This intervention forms part of our holistic approach to HIV care, recognising that medical treatment alone is not sufficient without addressing the socio-economic factors that impact health outcomes.
Linkage of Adolescent Girls to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
- The images below depict our Community Care Workers in the field, actively linking adolescent girls and young women to essential Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. These services include HIV
testing, TB screening, STI screening, and access to prevention methods such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and a variety of contraceptive options. This
initiative was designed to deliver services within safe, familiar, and accessible community spaces, allowing young people to engage comfortably and ask questions freely.
- For beneficiaries under the age of 18, informed consent was obtained from their legal guardians or caregivers. This process was closely monitored and verified by the team and supervising team leaders to ensure full compliance with legal and ethical standards. All procedures were conducted in line with
the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), ensuring that participants’ rights to privacy and confidentiality were fully respected.
- For individuals who tested positive for HIV, pre- and post-test counselling was provided on-site, followed by immediate linkage to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). In addition, ongoing psychosocial support is offered to beneficiaries to support adherence, emotional well-being, and retention in care.
Community Awareness Campaigns and Advocacy Initiatives
- The images below showcase Khumbulani Centre’s team actively engaged in conducting awareness and
advocacy programs in collaboration with various stakeholders operating within our service implementation areas. These initiatives specifically target vulnerable adolescents and young women, focusing on critical issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its connection to health outcomes, particularly the rising rate of new HIV infections within our communities.
- As part of these efforts, we partnered with local health facilities to facilitate awareness campaigns aimed at patients, with a particular focus on individuals who are newly diagnosed, have defaulted on treatment, missed clinic appointments, or are struggling with treatment adherence due to stigma or other personal challenges.
- These campaigns serve multiple important functions: they raise awareness, strengthen community
partnerships, and introduce key stakeholders and the services available at their respective institutions.
Moreover, they create a safe and supportive environment for young women to disclose incidents of
domestic violence, health neglect, and other forms of abuse. These engagements also provide vital
information on how to access emergency services within their communities, thereby improving both
awareness and access to care and protection.
Household Visits and Re-engagement of Beneficiaries
- Below are images documenting outreach efforts by the Khumbulani Centre team during household visits to beneficiaries who have missed their clinic appointments or have been classified as lost to follow-up by healthcare facilities. The team receives lists of such beneficiaries from the healthcare facilities, which are then shared with our internal Linkage Officers and the Project Manager. Based on
these referrals, the team initiates tracing activities with the goal of re-engaging beneficiaries and linking
them back to care.
- Once located, beneficiaries are immediately supported and reinitiated on treatment through the “Welcome Back” campaign. This approach ensures a compassionate and stigma-free reintegration into the healthcare system.
- In addition, our in-house social worker provides ongoing psychosocial support to these individuals. These sessions are conducted in the comfort and privacy of the beneficiaries’ homes, creating a safe
space for open dialogue. The social worker also facilitates case conferencing with relevant healthcare practitioners, sharing insights and jointly developing care plans to ensure consistent monitoring and follow-up for each beneficiary.
KHUMBULANI CENTRE SUPPORT GROUP
Khumbulani started with only a few members who worked alongside Mam Gloria to assist the community. Their focus has been on supporting individuals affected by infectious diseases, helping to improve health and well-being throughout the community.
The khumbulani HIV support group plays a crucial role in the well-being of individuals living with HIV and the broader community. These groups provide a safe, confidential space where members can share their experiences, challenges, and successes, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.
The benefits of having an HIV support group in a community are numerous:
- Emotional Support: Members find comfort knowing they are not alone in their journey. Shared experiences can reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, helping members build resilience.
- Access to Information: Support groups often invite health professionals or experienced members to share up-to-date information about HIV care, treatment options, and healthy living, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.
- Stigma Reduction: By providing a forum for open discussion, support groups help break down misconceptions and stigma associated with HIV, promoting acceptance and understanding within the broader community.
- Practical Assistance: Many groups offer guidance on navigating healthcare systems, accessing medication, and managing legal or employment challenges related to HIV status.
- Motivation and Hope: Witnessing others manage their health positively and lead fulfilling lives can inspire members to adhere to treatment and take proactive steps in their own care.
In summary, HIV support groups strengthen both individual and community health by offering emotional, informational, and practical support. They are a vital resource in building inclusive, resilient communities.
KHUMBULANI CENTRE OVC STAFF/TEAM
- Below is the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Program Team responsible for the care and
support of 1,980 children living with HIV (CLHIV) currently enrolled in the program. The team operates
in close collaboration with 11 health facilities, ensuring that beneficiaries receive comprehensive
support, including treatment adherence, psychosocial services, and regular follow-ups.
- Despite having a limited capacity of only 43 dedicated staff members, the team has demonstrated exceptional commitment and efficiency in delivering high-impact services across the program’s implementation areas.
BENEFICIARIES TESTIMONIALS AND MESSAGES TO KHUMBULANI
- Below are testimonial messages and screenshots from beneficiaries who have participated in our KIDZ Alive Sessions. These sessions are facilitated by our trained team and focus on treatment literacy and adherence support for children and adolescents living with HIV.
- As part of the program, beneficiaries also receive individualised, one-on-one sessions with our internal social worker. These sessions provide a safe and supportive space to address psychosocial challenges, emotional well-being, and disclosure-related issues, all of which are essential for long-term adherence and overall health outcomes.
- The testimonials reflect the positive impact of the KIDZ Alive initiative in equipping young beneficiaries
with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to manage their health effectively.
BENEFICIARY 1
I am a 20-year-old HIV Positive girl born on the 01/11/2005. I live in Khayelitsha Kuyasa with my
grandmother and little cousin. I do not know my parents as they passed away when I was young and my
grandmother took me. I was never told about my status as my grandmother said the pills I’m taking are
for seizures. Until is topped taking them and I became sick and landed in hospital. I was introduced to
khumbulani in that is when I was informed of my status and the importance of taking my medication. I
need the support of khumbulani as my grandmother is old and I don’t have any support from my family.
I can’t share this with my friends as there is stigma attached to this sickness. I am young and still afraid
to face the world alone.
PLEASE HELP
BENEFICIARY 2
My name is Thandokazi a 19 year old female living with HIV. I was born positive my mother died when I
was very young so my grandma is taking care of me now. I was defaulting to the point that i became sick
and was very weak every time I took my meds I was vomiting I just didn't want to take my medication at
all up until i got a visit from Khumbulani. We spoke and they made me realize that punishing myself is
not a way to go. They gave me encouragement and the support that i needed the most. After our long
talks, I decided to go back to care and unfortunately, I was diagnosed with TB, at the moment I am
treating the TB and immediately after I'm done with this process I will take my ARV's again
Thank you Khumbulani for your help and showing that you truly care for us people living with HIV and
thank you once again.
BENEFICIARY 3
My name is Okuhle l stay in Khayelitsha, l am m living with HIV. I was not born with the dieses but I got
it from my older boyfriend. I am writing to you with a heavy heart, struggling to make ends while
defaulting. Despite my best efforts to manage my condition now that Khumbulani is no longer
supporting with assistance of psychosocial support and helping me with the challenges I face daily I am
struggling to cope. I have attempted suicide more than 3 times because I don’t feel like I am normal. I
am also facing challenges in affording food so that l can take my medication accordingly which results to
me not taking my meds correctly. Khumbulani has helped me a lot.
BENEFICIARY 4
I am sinalo, I am 12 years old loving with HIV. I got HIV through rape, I was raped by different men and
therefore I wouldn’t be able to say which one of them infected me with HIV.I am living with my step
father and my mother passed away a few years back. None of my mothers family want to live with me
because I am sick. i used to not be able to hold my pee as it would just come up. I could feel anything
and I went to the clinic and I met khumbulani. Khumbulani helped me with my self confidence and the
social worker has regular sessions with me. They also asked if I feel safe at home and I told them for now
I do but I don’t get the support I need as I live with my stepfather and he is most of the time at work. I
cant speak to him about girl things because he is a man. I feel lonely at times and have no one to talk to ,
now that khumbulani is no longer working. I am also struggling at school now because I cant focus.
Please bring back khumbulani project back so that we can get help.
BENEFICIARY 5
Hi my name is Lorenzo I'm 16 years old and hiv positive male. I live with my 2 little bother and 2 sisters
also my grandmother, I was struggling with my treatment adherence due to my circumstances at home
not having food eat so that I would be able to take my medication I met Khumbulani and they supported
me emotionally and mentally, making sure I don't miss my appointment dates and bought food parcels
with porridge for me to have breakfast before taking my medication I even did well at school. Now that
Khumbulani is not working I'm struggling to go back to the facility for my medication it's very stressful
for me without Khumbulani support and dedication the last time I went for my appointment my
VIRALLOAD was high which is a big concern to me. They say I might die if I don’t take my treatment. My
grandmother is old and we are a lot, I also need to take care of my sisters and brothers because I am the
eldest. I have a lot to take care of at home that I can’t even take care of myself. If I die, who is going to
look after my siblings. I need all the support I can get.