Nutritional support in South Africa

Nutritional Support to HIV and AIDS Infected and Affected People in South Africa

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has increased its support to Temba House in South Africa by working with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  An annual grant of $56,000 will provide much needed nutritional services and care to 1,200 HIV and AIDs infected and affected people including nutritional and kitchen gardening training, a soup kitchen aimed at children and supplies of seeds and tools to ensure sustainability.

PWRDF partner Temba Community Development Services began in 2001 as a place for people affected by AIDs to find care and shelter and afford them dignified deaths. Opportunistic infections are treated first at Temba House, followed by nutrition, as many of the clients are malnourished. In 2003, it was discovered that 350 of 490 chronically ill people were improving and with the help of medication and care recovering and going on with their lives proving that good nutrition, proper shelter and loving care are vital parts of any support system. Today Temba House serves seven local municipalities, with a population of 1.7 million people.

Since 2005, PWRDF has been providing $30,000 annually in operating funds to Temba House. These funds have been used to build a facility that director Lulu Boxoza could only dream about. With this vision in mind and a $167,000 donation from the Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter, Ontario, through PWRDF, land was purchased, building started in January 2008 and the move to a larger, better equipped facility happened in September. Facilities such as a library with computers have become a welcome reality.

Through PWRDF, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a natural fit with Temba House and together will work towards ensuring that all continue to thrive.