Simply getting people talking can lead to problem solving and community improvements. This is the intention behind the HIV and Aids Dialogues that take place very month, most recently held at the Vukani Crèche.
Simply getting people talking can lead to problem solving and community improvements. This is the intention behind the HIV and Aids Dialogues that take place very month, most recently held at the Vukani Crèche.
More than 30 Vukani Location residents gathered for the Dialogues, dealing mostly with health issues, but also a whole spectrum of burning issues in the community. At this meeting representatives were elected to raise challenges in their areas with ward councillors.
Managing Facilitator Thembela Magadla said, "We track the challenges affecting residents like service delivery, health and sometimes personal problems… We are more of a bridge between the community and leaders."
The Dialogues started in April last year, initiated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Institute of Health Programmes and Systems. Facilitators orchestrate the Dialogues in seven wards in the Grahamstown area. "People in our communities are traumatised and they have given up," said Ward 9 facilitator Phumla Honey Gagayi. "The youth also have so many problems because they drop out of school and expect things to happen."
Ward 6 facilitator Pamella Sandi said her dialogues have been successful. Young people come to the meetings, although she wishes more would come because the Dialogues cover all kinds of topics like education, unemployment and poverty.
Community member Thandeka Sandi says the Dialogues have taught her many things, particularly to be sensitive and non-judgemental towards people with Aids.
A first-timer at the Dialogues, Mfusi Sam, said he found the session very interesting and helpful.
For example, he said he know knows ways to lodge complaints and find people to talk to about community problems. "These dialogues help us know how to get our voices heard as the community," said Asanda Norongwana, "and they give us time to discuss the way forward".
