Since 1999, SisterLove has worked formally in South Africa to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Since that time we have expanded our efforts to support the courageous work of AIDS activists, organizations and institutions in South Africa and extended our outreach and support to others working within the continent of Africa.

Our work throughout the African Diaspora is motivated by the knowledge that AIDS is a disease that does not respect borders. Issues that help to create and sustain conditions that serve to perpetuate sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS are common among those living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of their nationality. The truth is that what we have learned from our partners and colleagues from around the world has fueled and enriched our efforts at home.

AIDS is a global challenge, a pandemic that one can not responsibly address in a vacuum. SisterLove believes that to be effective at home, we must consciously address the social, political and cultural influences around the world, and particularly in developing nations of color, that impact our ability to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and other threats to the reproductive and sexual health of all women.

In July, 2002 SisterLove established a satellite office in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa to provide day-to-day oversight and management of our work in this country. Themba Shabangu, Isaac Magapu Mampane and Jola Malanga staff SisterLove’s South Africa office and direct its programs and projects with the support of SisterLove’s U.S. based staff.

South Africa Projects:

Thembuhlelo HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Project (HCBP):

The goal of SisterLove’s Thembuhleo HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Project is to enhance local non-government organizations’ (NGOs) and community-based organizations’ (CBOs) capacity and leadership abilities to manage and promote sustainable mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) and youth-based HIV prevention activities in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Through the Initiative, SisterLove provides capacity building assistance to identified NGOs/CBOs in the Highveld district of Mpumalanga in South Africa, a rural province consisting of large mining operations.

Women’s HIV/AIDS Resources Project (WHARP):

For three years SisterLove collaborated with established South African AIDS service organizations, to provide training, technical assistance and resource development to HIV+ women and those working to combat the effects of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Beginning in October 2002, WHARP’s focus broadened to encourage and support partnerships and collaborations between American AIDS service organizations and organizations in South Africa. SisterLove is eager to share what we have learned from our partnerships with South African AIDS activists and are committed to addressing issues related to the AIDS pandemic across the Diaspora.

Training & Technical Assistance:

As part of our commitment to share resources, knowledge and experience with others throughout the world, SisterLove provides training and technical assistance to many AIDS activitsts on service delivery to HIV+ women and women at risk. SisterLove has been honored to work with AIDS activists, organizations and women affected by HIV/AIDS around the world.

  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Jamaica
  • Nigeria
  • Phillippines
  • South Africa
  • Uganda