Little Seeds
White River, South Africa
Little Seeds is an organisation whose primary focus is Early Childhood Development and the training of pre-school teachers, but in this context they have developed expertise in HIV and AIDS and how it relates to families and the wider community.
In 2005, EngageHIV partnered with Little Seeds to run a programme for teenage heads-of-households. Many children, who may be suffering from HIV themselves, are left to look after younger siblings, coping with all the issues normally dealt with by the parents as well as the emotional, physical, psychological and educational issues normally experienced by teenagers. The workshops covered practical issues related to health, hygiene and managing money as well as offering counselling and emotional support as they learnt to cope with bereavement and the responsibility of bringing up younger brothers and sisters.
Over the last couple of years EngageHIV has worked with Little Seeds to mobilise local churches in the area around Sabie, a picturesque town in a beautiful mountainous area near the Kruger National Park. The programme started in two townships – Simile and Harmony Hill – where the number of orphans is very high and on the increase. It has now been extended to the areas of Leroro and Graskop, about 100km from Sabie. Training has been offered to church leaders, carers, teachers and the young people themselves. In 2008/2009 Little Seeds will also be equipping churches to respond to the needs of HIV-positive adults, and church leaders will receive specific training in how to run support groups for those who are HIV-positive.
As an example of how this training has helped, one Sabie church decided to show a DVD about HIV to the boarders at the local high school. The response was such that they were invited to return to show the same DVD to the whole school and local doctors visited to offer specific counselling and medical advice. Many children received help and support.
Pastors have traditionally been reluctant to talk about HIV, but “They have started to talk about HIV since the training”, says one church leader from Leroro. “Training has helped pastors to counsel people about HIV without doubt and without fear”, said another.
Little Seeds has also developed three sets of devotional materials – for teenagers, for care givers and for wider use in the church and community. They are designed to address spiritual as well as practical and emotional needs in a more systematic way. These valuable materials are also available to other EngageHIV partners.
> Update on church mobilisation
> More about prevention and education
> More about orphan care
> South Africa country profile
> Cynthia’s story – a friendly ear
