Strength and Hope – The Grandmothers of Africa

Dr. Lorna Adams, Give a Day supporter writes…There is no doubt.  The grannies of sub-Saharan Africa are holding the continent up on their shoulders.  I have met so many grannies, and they are the glue that is keeping what is left of the families of this continent together.  They are making new families.  They incorporate the children of their next door neighbour into their new family group, and the children of their deceased sister’s friend’s daughter, and the children of their grandchildren’s teacher, into their family unit.  And then they look in on the children in the home down the street, where there is a 13 year old, raising her brothers and sisters.  They are utterly exhausted, at times, with the demands that they have accepted for themselves.  But they continue, because, who else will do it?  They know there are too many deaths; there is a coffin maker in every town, even if there are not many other businesses.  There is always need of a coffin during this pandemic that is HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.  And the grannies continue on, caring, loving, doing as best as they can, in a situation that does, at times feel overwhelming.

 

But, there is HOPE.  A recent report, prepared by the WHO with UNICEF and UNAIDS, states that there has been significant progress in care of people living with HIV since the beginning of this decade. This report states that 42% of people in the developing world who are infected, and should be on ARV medication are now on medication.  Just a few years ago, there was still debate among AIDS experts about the safety of offering a difficult treatment program to people in areas of the world most affected.  Dignitas International has proven that it is safe, feasible, affordable and completely doable.  As Jane Philpott has said, “AIDS is outrageous….and solvable”.  I’m not sure I entirely agreed with Jane before I went to work in Africa with Dignitas International, but I sure do now.

Published by: GiveADay on December 4th, 2009 | Filed under Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Recipient News, World AIDS Day 2009
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Markham Stouffville Hospital celebrates its 6th year of Give a Day to World AIDS!

The Markham Stouffville Hospital team enjoyed a fabulous Harambee on Friday November 20, 2009 at Bridges Restaurant in Markham.  The Harambee was hosted by Dr. Paddy Whelan, Chief of Surgery at the hospital.  A great group of hospital staff gathered to hear a report from Dr. Lorna Adams who recently worked at the Dignitas project in Malawi.  Over $9000 in donations was collected that evening to support both the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Dignitas International.  The evening was a great example of “collective efficacy” which has been described by Helen Epstein to be “present everywhere there is a spirit of collective action and mutual aid, a spirit that is impossible to measure or quantify, but that is rooted in a sense of compassion and common humanity”.

Published by: GiveADay on November 24th, 2009 | Filed under GAD Events, Give a Day 2009, Give a Day Harambees, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Workplace Campaigns
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News from Malawi – Dr. Lorna Adams

Dr. Lorna Adams, Give a Day supporter writes… I recently spent 3 months working in Malawi and Zimbabwe, in HIV/AIDS Clinics in both countries.  I was able to see, close up and personal, what your support of the Give a Day campaign is able to accomplish on the ground and in action.  I would like to tell you a little about my work in Malawi, with Dignitas International, and some personal stories from the field.  I have seen what a Difference a DAY can make, and it is incredible.

My first day at the Dignitas Tisungane (‘Let’s Work Together’ or ‘Hope’ in Chichewa, the local language) HIV/AIDS Clinic was quite overwhelming.  Dignitas, as a matter of principle, employs many local workers. From the Clinical Officers, who function almost as physicians, to the nurses, the lab technicians, the volunteers, the expert patients, the drivers, the cleaners, the lunch ladies, the IT staff and all the other support staff, I was exhausted just trying to remember the incredible number of names of the people I was introduced to. 

And then, the hundreds and hundreds of patients, waiting in lines for hours for either their first assessment, to find out if they are HIV positive or not, or their counseling session prior to starting antiretroviral therapy. Others were coming for their follow up appointment, to see if they are having any side effects or problems with their medicine, and then, receive their life saving medication for another 2 weeks, or month or longer.  It certainly took me a couple of weeks just to get oriented and find my way around the clinic since it is a very large area in order to service thousands of patients.

Next week, more stories from the Dignitas International HIV/AIDS Clinic in Zomba, Malawi.

Published by: GiveADay on November 6th, 2009 | Filed under Give a Day 2009, HIV/AIDS in Africa, Media, Recipient News
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