THE Emporium of Care caring for Aids patients at TC Newman Hospital in Paarl East, is going places.
This week they received a donation of R10 000 from Hanlu Kotze, Sanlam regional manager in Paarl.
The head of the Emporium, Dr Nelis Grobbelaar, plans to utilise the funds in furthering their work with the “My Story, My Life” project.
“HIV is not a death sentence, but the silence around it can make us feel that way,” says Dr Grobbelaar.
“We all live by the stories we tell, that everybody has a story and that every story is important.
“Every story can bring hope. We want to break through the fear and silence in this valley and find the stories that teach us how to live,” says dr Grobbelaar.
Feeling the same way as he and sharing in his enthusiasm, is Dr Gisela Winkler, an educationalist and writer.
Concerned about the challenges of HIV in African education, she has published a number of books, training manuals and learner materials that focus on HIV and Aids.
“I believe in the power of stories to change lives, and most of my materials are built on life stories told by people living with HIV,” says Winkler.
Everyone who participates in the “My Story, My Life” project, has a chance to tell their life story and have it recorded with the help of a professional writer.
“It is time to begin listening. That way we will find the stories that matter to people living with HIV,” she said.
“This money will go a long way to help us to achieve just that, and we thank Sanlam in helping us to promote this project,” concluded both Drs Grobbelaar and Winkler.
