USPG: Anglicans in World Mission works in direct partnership with Anglican Churches in over 50 countries, helping to support vital church work, including healthcare, education, leadership training and action for social justice.

South African projects
Our member Michael Brunt has been closely involved in work in South Africa, and has spent a considerable time working there during the past several years. In the December 2012 issue of the Merton Priory Team Magazine, Michael wrote:

It seems amazing that it was a year ago that I last wrote for the Parish Magazine. I won't retell the tale of how I found myself working in the Eastern Cape – for that you would need to read my previous contribution. The result of my journey is that, three-and-a-half years after joining the Donald Wood Foundation, I am still here.
The work of the Foundation is focused on health, education, community development and heritage. I am the Training and Quality Manager for the Foundation and work in all our sites. These are centred on Madwaleni and Zithulele Hospitals in the former Transkei, Lady Grey and Barkly East Hospitals in the north of the Eastern Cape near the Lesotho border and Fort Grey TB Hospital in East London. In all of these sites we work with patients who are HIV+ and/or have TB.
To add some context, according to the mid-year population estimates for 2011 produced by the government agency, Statistics South Africa, the country has a population of 50.5 million. Over five million are HIV+, of which about one million adults and 100,000 children are on Anti-Retro Viral drugs (ARVs). More need to be on ARVs but the challenge is finding them and supporting them through their treatment.
Life expectancy has gradually increased over the last 10 years from 55.1 years to 57.1 years. The under-five mortality rate is a staggering 54.3 per cent. The infant mortality rate is exacerbated by the fact that, although the statistics I have just quoted describe an HIV prevalence of 10 per cent, this is the tip of the iceberg. Thirty per cent of pregnant women are HIV+. Add to this the fact that 94,000 schoolgirls became pregnant in 2011 and it is clear that a national disaster is around the corner unless these figures are turned around.
The situation seems hopeless at times. The Foundation works in an active and unique partnership with the Department of Health at the sites I have mentioned. Our 40+ staff work with our 70+ stipendiary volunteers to support over 7,000 patients on ARVs. Many of those in our team are themselves HIV+ and are role models within the community.
In the UK we are used to taking drugs that make us feel well and live longer, so it is hard to imagine taking medication that makes you feel sick and generally unwell knowing that to stop means certain death sooner rather than later. Motivating people to adhere to their medication is key and our volunteers are truly gifted when it comes to this. I struggle to come to terms with the fact that I am the Training Manager when every day I am learning from them.
I will talk more about the details of what we do and our plans for expanding to include other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension in future contributions to the Parish Magazine. In the meantime you can find out more about our work at www.donaldwoodsfoundation.org.
South Africa is taking very slow steps towards a National Health Service. I pray that it comes soon enough.

“God Bless Africa, guard her children, guide her leaders and give her peace, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.”