As more children, families and communities across South Africa are affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there is an urgent need to implement community-based programs providing prevention information, care, and support--especially for children.

To assist in these efforts, USAID works with US faith-based partner Hope Worldwide [link to www.hopeww.org ] to implement a community-based model for support and prevention. The model, first launched in Soweto in 1993, includes establishment of support groups and inclusion of people living with AIDS (PWAs). Through this initiative, Hope and USAID/SAwork together to:

• Develop community child care programs.
• Provide multi-level care and support for children infected and affected by AIDS.
• Utilize PWAs for local child care and support.
• Mobilize community resources from private and public sectors to meet the needs of children.
• Train child care co-ordinators to supervise and train families and communities to assist with child care.

Through this partnership, Hope Worldwide also supports the Soweto Hospice of South Africa, which provides nursing care and support to AIDS-affected community members in their own homes as well as training and mentoring of community care workers.