Harare, Zimbabwe - In a crowded slum on the outskirts of this vibrant capital city, major efforts are being made to provide affordable care for poor families and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. The cost of services for the poor in one community health clinic here increases so regularly that they are posted on paper taped to the windows.

People mill around outside the clinic while a few adults and children placidly wait their turn inside. On a small hill overlooking the clinic, a tiny one-room house serves as a hospice providing AIDS home-based care services. Isabel, the coordinator, shows a visitor the simple facilities where AIDS patients or family members are received. Their situation is explained to them and they are able to sign up for home-based care visits. The services are offered discreetly and Isabel coordinates the efforts of more than 30 community volunteers who provide the home care services.

Most of the volunteers are community women who despite the stresses of their own family situations find it in their hearts to extend a helping hand to neighbors who are struggling to survive with HIV/AIDS. The volunteers visit AIDS patients daily or weekly, depending on need. They provide basic medical care, compassionate nursing, food, clothing, blankets, housekeeping, childcare, help with wills, bereavement counseling and whatever pressing needs exist in the household. The women have only basic training, miniscule supplies, and minimal support. The needs are far outstripping the community’s means to meet them.

With support from Netaid and Pact, Isabel will be able to provide a more complete training program for the home caregivers in her charge. This training will include, small subsidies for expenses, and thank you gifts as tokens of appreciation for their priceless service. The program will include training for new trainers to meet increasing demand. Training programs will include: hygienic nursing for the protection of caregivers and family members; basic patient care using medical diagnostic and treatment protocols; counseling skills for patients and family members to ensure confidentiality; assessments of household needs; referral services for children and youth, and adult education.