Introduction

The Kenosis Community Trust is planning to expand its facilities to meet the growing community needs caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We are requesting help to set up a facility to train women from the community in the skills of home-based care for people suffering HIV/AIDS and their families.

History

Kenosis was established in 1989 at the Lutheran Church in Bishopstowe, Pietermaritzburg, to train women volunteers in congregational work.

In 1998/99 an orphanage for vulnerable children and children orphaned by AIDS was started. A crèche for 50 children from the local community was built and a clinic was opened together with the City of Pietermaritzburg.

2003 saw the establishment of the Kenosis Retreat, a conference and guesthouse facility which donates all profits to the Kenosis Community Trust.

In 2004/5 a community care project was started which offers support to families caring for vulnerable and orphaned children in the vast rural area bordering on Bishopstowe and Table Mountain.

In 2005 a new project was started together with the Bishopstowe School offering children, during the first week of the winter and summer holidays, fun activities, games and other joint activities including meals. These "kids' weeks" are proving tremendously popular, attracting up to 160 children.

Training Project Plan

Based on this experience, expertise and existing infrastructure, we now want to create a project where we can offer comprehensive training for up to 24 women in all aspects of community HIV/AIDS care.

The plan will be implemented in three phases:

Phase 1: To employ an educator to plan the curriculum (March 2008) and to build and furnish two houses (starting in June 2008), one for the educator and a cook/caretaker, the other for the first eight students.
Cost: R680 000 for each house.

Phase 2: To build and furnish another two houses to accommodate a further 16 students. Building will start in February 2009.
Cost: R750 000 for each house

Phase 3: To expand the clinic facilities and staff to provide a more comprehensive service including the dispensing of ARV's.

Help Required

We are in the process of approaching all interested parties to obtain the required support for the project.

We need help in raising the funds for building and ongoing running costs (budget available on request).

A detailed development plan is available on request.