Understanding Diversity in Impact and Responses among HIV/AIDS-Affected Households: the Case of Msinga; South Africa

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural households in Msinga; South Africa; the sustainable livelihoods framework was adapted. An ethnographic perspective was employed to examine: 1) the impact of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses on people's mind and spirit (the internal environment); and 2) the influence of institutional structures and processes (the external environment); in order to better understand 3) the actions taken by individuals and households in response to HIV and AIDS. Members of three support groups at a local drop-in centre were consulted about the impact of HIV and AIDS on their lives through focus groups; a questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The study shows that the psychosocial impact and associated coping strategies; as well as prevailing gender-based power relations and exclusion from social- exchange networks - which are not (readily) available factors in the sustainable livelihoods framework - affect people's lives in different ways and depend on the specific situation of the individual or household concerned. The study confirms the need to restore a household's resource base and to address psychosocial issues. However; the variation in impact to different households requires a diversified and holistic programme of development interventions

The Farmer Life School: experience from an innovative approach to HIV education among farmers in South Africa

The Farmer Life School (FLS) is an innovative approach to integrating HIV education into life skills and technical training for farmers. This study aims to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this relatively new approach; through the implementation of an adapted version in South Africa. The results are presented of a pilot with three groups of community gardeners; predominantly women; attending weekly sessions. Impact was assessed in terms of three key elements: participation; learning; and empowerment. Data were collected through extensive session reports; follow-up interviews; and reflection exercises with facilitators and participating groups and individuals. The results suggest that a group-based discovery learning approach such as the FLS has great potential to improve food security and wellbeing; while allowing participants to explore issues around HIV/AIDS. However; the analysis also shows that HIV/AIDS-related illness and death; and the factors that drive the epidemic and its impact; undermine farmers' ability to participate; the safety and trust required for learning; and the empowerment process. Participatory approaches such as the FLS require a thoroughunderstanding of and adaptation to the context