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South Africa
The challenge of health and family is nowadays very high, especially in the rural areas. This is caused by the pandemic of HIV/AIDS and the refusal (in other areas) to accept the brutality of this disease to the people. In many rural areas, the stigma of being HIV-positive in the community is so high that people find it difficult to disclose their status. As a result, the virus easily infects old people who are usually home caregivers. The myth of being bewitched or poisoned is still a scapegoat.
In one area, an old woman (who worked lands and collected firewood in order to get money) cared for her granddaughter who was very sick. She washed her with charred hands without knowing her health status. Worse, she did not tell other people of the nature of the sickness (because of ignorance). She bathed her sores. It was very late when she disclosed her suspicions to the Sister of the Community of the Holy Name in Zululand. The Sister advised her to use gloves and provided her with some. The woman was later diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and died. She is not the only victim. The denial of the existence of this disease is causing people to visit traditional doctors who claim they can cure them by providing vomiting herbs.
Unemployment and retrenchment have caused a lot of havoc on health issues among families. They are no longer able to attain healthy and nutritious foods. Young mothers are too busy with their own lives to plant vegetables for their children. To make a difference in the people’s lives, the Sisters of the Community started a drop-in centre for orphans at Isandlwana. The Committee, which includes the local nursing sister, priest and the local chief together with the Sisters, does the selection of the needy children.
Teenagers’ and young adults’ pregnancy and divorce have caused many families to separate. The Christian Education Department and Sunday school have programmes such as parenting. These programmes help the young mothers and the grannies (who are hurt and angry because they find themselves playing the role of foster parents to their orphaned grandchildren).
While cases of incest and rape among families are so many and escalating, the Teaching Sisters are doing tremendous work in counselling children and parents. Some cases are referred to the Psychology and Guidance Services in Education. The pathetic part is that some parents prefer to deny everything, accuse their children of lying and rather side with the rapist. The Sisters also identify needy orphans in schools, to help provide basic needs as some are also HIV-positive.
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