UNAIDS: The First 10 Years

Chapter 479Lucky Mazibuko wasthe ‘star’ of a workplaceproject in South Africato place trained workersliving openly with HIVin various organizations.He still works on theSowetan newspaper.Lori Waseldiuk/The Sowetan.As the UNAIDS Case Study concluded, ‘these are eloquent examples of people living withHIV/AIDS standing up for themselves and their rights, educating themselves and makingmajor contributions to their communities. The fact that … two set up their own companiesis a strong indicator of success, reflecting also the fieldworkers’ enhanced self-esteem,self-confidence and self-affirmation’.Working with faith-based organizationsIn many countries, especially in Africa, from the start of the epidemic, churches andreligious organizations have provided the bulk of the care and support for people livingwith HIV. Calle Almedal came from the Norwegian Red Cross to UNAIDS in 1997 as SeniorAdviser on Partnerships Development, where he assumed responsibility for working withcivil society, including faith-based organizations. Almedal explained: “… there are millionsof extremely dedicated people out there, doing a good job, not being recognized byanyone … churches were the first to take care of people with AIDS, they were the first tocounsel people with AIDS”. At the same time, however, much of the stigma aimed at HIVcomes from religious people and bodies.Piot admitted that he was very critical of the church in the beginning. However, he also observed:“… they were one of the obstacles to be overcome and to turn into allies. I was convinced weneeded to develop this broad-based coalition and they are an essential part of that”.UNAIDS has worked consistently over the years to involve and collaborate with organizationsfrom a wide range of faiths, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. In1998, a UNAIDS Case Study produced with the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, AIDS