| Makro-Maokeng Kroonstad HIV/AIDS Support Group |
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 MAKRO is an organisation formed by the community of Maokeng to create awareness and educate its people about HIV/AIDS. Its founding members were made up of people already living with HIV/AIDS, who wanted to make a difference in their community.The name MAKRO comes from combining ‘Maokeng’ and ‘Kroonstad’. It was chosen in honour of their township – called the Maokeng Section – and to make each person feel welcome and free to voice their status. History MAKRO – short for Maokeng Kroonstad – is a non-profit organisation established in July 2006 by community members in Maokeng living with HIV/AIDS. They found that many people infected with the disease – mostly youths – would die due to lack of education. The organisation thus aimed to educate people about ARVs, and encourage them to get tested and know their statuses. Programmes 1. Counselling programme: the organisation informs and educates people living with HIV/AIDS on how to live longer by taking good care of themselves, especially regarding using protection when engaging in sexual activities. 2. Training programme: the organisation educates the community about HIV/AIDS and also encourages them to live life to the full despite being infected with the disease. 3. Home-based care programme: the organisation trains others to be care givers and educates those with little knowledge about HIV/AIDS. This helps them perform their tasks more efficiently. Staff The organisation employs twelve staff members, including a chairperson, all of whom are volunteers. They do not receive any form of payment. Funders Currently the organisation does not receive any form of funding. Expenses are paid from the volunteers’ pockets. Challenges The organisation’s members have found that people in the community still label and condemn them due to their HIV statuses. This discourages other people from revealing or talking about their statuses. Contact details Mr Lawrence Ramolutsi (Chairperson) Tel: 056 216 2600 Fax: 056 214 1003 Physical address: Maokeng Section, Mankie Street 8821, Constantia 9499 Bookmark this article:          |
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