Projects we support

The Church of Scotland HIV Programme supports several projects throughout the world. This is only possible due to the funds raised by congregations throughout Scotland and beyond.

Scotland

Positive Help, Edinburgh

This is a small Edinburgh-based charity, offering practical help to people infected and affected by HIV. They have 678 clients on their books, and a team of 50 volunteers. Our grant will support their volunteer transport programme. This includes recruitment and training of volunteers and expenses incurred in transporting clients, for example, to and from clinics, hospitals and other social care centres.

Africa

Ekwendeni Hospital AIDS Programme – Orphan Care Project, Malawi

Ekwendeni has a long-standing partnership with the Church of Scotland. This project aims to provide, for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), good nutrition and educational support and access to health and social services on an equal basis with other children. It will help to pay school fees for 20 OVC and provide food supplements, children's corners and farm inputs (seeds and fertiliser) for 30 families. It will also support the training of volunteers.

United Church of Zambia, Mwandi Mission AIDS Relief, Zambia

AIDS Relief already has a comprehensive programme covering awareness-raising, female empowerment, care and support, and challenge of stigma and discrimination. More than 1500 people are accessing ART from the Mission and six satellite clinics. With our funding, they are able to supplement clients' diets with necessary protein, reduce the number of chronically malnourished children and decrease the number of clients who stop taking ART because of lack of food. With improved health, persons living with HIV will be better able to live and work productively at home.

UCZ Development Department, Zambia

In 2000 St Andrews Church in Lusaka began an HIV/AIDS outreach programme (St Andrews Millennium HIV and AIDS project (STAMP)). Mainly delivered by volunteers, the project includes HIV awareness and prevention sessions for young people, a voluntary counselling and testing centre, World AIDS Day vigils, quarterly HIV and AIDS services, education support for 50 orphans and vulnerable children, food supplements to same, livelihood training for guardians and micro-credit assistance.

Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ)

This is an ecumenical organisation of nine denominations spread across all ten provinces of Zambia. They plan to empower women and children through capacity development, sustainable care, support and prevention. It is also aimed at increasing education opportunities, awareness and providing comprehensive Christian education in church and community services.

United Church of Zambia University, Ministerial Formation in the Time of HIV/AIDS

The UCZ University trains ministers, evangelists and deaconesses for the United Church of Zambia country-wide. The project therefore enables graduates to apply their learning in HIV/AIDS country-wide through the communities they serve. The training in HIV/AIDS and Psycho-social Counselling is done in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and provides psycho-social counselling training, training of students in home-based care and Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Management and training in Psycho-social Counselling and Home-based Care and OVC Management.

Middle East

The High Council of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Egypt, Synod of the Nile, Council of Services and Development, Egypt

The CSD ran this project, Awareness Raising on Blood Transmitted Diseases (Hepatitis C & HIV/AIDS), from 2008 until 2012. They are hoping, if approved, to restart this initiative. This will be the first time we have been asked for funding. They plan to reach out to the community through the local church and Christian NGOs to raise awareness of blood-transmitted diseases and to educate and change negative attitudes and stigma against Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

Asia

Church of Christ in Thailand - AIDS Ministry (CAM), Baan Saabay, Thailand

This is an emergency shelter in Chiang Mai, providing holistic care for those temporarily homeless, or who need to be near medical services. It also provides respite care and is one of the few facilities providing care for men, particularly hill-tribe and migrant workers. The shelter also provides training for income-generation projects and works closely with the local church congregations.

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), Action Together in Combating HIV/AIDS in Asia, Thailand

HIV/AIDS has been a special focus of the Christian Conference of Asia and they want to improve their efforts to build an HIV-competent church and community. CCA aims to enhance solidarity and action among faith communities in Asia towards ending AIDS in the region.

Caribbean

Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, Campaign for Life Project, Cuba

This project intends to work with people living with HIV-AIDS, including their family and friends. They want to provide a space of socialisation and family and ecclesial integration where they can feel welcomed. They will also offer workshops provided by specialists on various relevant topics and offer, through different resources, supplies to improve their overall health.