The website (www.AIDSbuzz.org.za) aims to increase collaboration between the stakeholders, build capacity and support the organisations making a contribution to address the effects of Aids in their communities, said a joint press release from Investec and Metropolitan.
"Our research showed that many community organisations devoting time and energy to serving Aids patients or their families had little left to spare for the organisation itself. We wanted to support these organisations by providing a platform for networking as well as information about accessing resources and increasing effectiveness," said Simone Rawlings from Investec's Social Investment Division.
"The site will also provide opportunities for the lesser known community based organisations (CBOs) doing excellent work, but who find it difficult to access support in any form to raise their profiles," he said.
Challenged on many fronts
"Organisations are challenged by HIV and Aids on many fronts, said Desiree Daniels, Head of Metropolitan Aids Solutions. "The disease threatens the lives of employees, customer bases and labour union members. All of these stakeholders have different needs with regard to Aids management and we think this new website will give them appropriate tools".
AIDSbuzz will have information and advice on topics like securing NPO status, applying for tax exemption, accessing social grants and donor funds, training in HIV and Aids, Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), prevention of mother-to-child transmission, post-exposure prophylaxis, nutritional support, traditional medicine, and the role and use of volunteers. There will also be a comprehensive directory of over 1 000 NPOs working in the field of HIV and Aids.
The site will have a search engine to enable individuals who want to volunteer, or extend corporate sponsorship to HIV and Aids organisations in their communities, to find what is available by province, town or city. – (Health24)
Source: Joint press release from Investec Bank ltd and Metropolitan
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HIV/Aids Centre
Aids at the office
June 2006