South Africa: “Proud that I’ve made a difference”

Senzo’s life has been transformed thanks to support from people like you.

He is one of over 1,000 people living with HIV being supported by our partner, the Embo Clinic in South Africa. When the clinic’s Community Caregiver Team first started working with Senzo several years ago, he was so unwell he couldn’t get out of bed due to an opportunistic infection.

With continuing compassionate support from the caregivers, Senzo’s health has vastly improved, and he is able to manage his condition better.

But there was still a problem with Senzo’s nutrition. A healthy diet is a key part of any HIV treatment plan, and people living with HIV who regularly eat healthy food can better tolerate HIV drugs, maintain a healthy weight, and feel better overall.

However, it was impossible for Senzo to afford to buy simple vegetables. Senzo was unemployed, as are half of the people in Embo, and the cost-of-living crisis has also made food more expensive.

So the caregivers began supporting Senzo and others with the training and tools to start small vegetable gardens. This way they could grow their own nutritionally rich food.

But Senzo’s garden has not stayed small. He now grows so many vegetables that he has started a small business selling his produce, and employs two other men to help!

“I’m proud that I’ve made a difference to two others in my community,” he says.

And this is the difference that your support makes too – not only helping people like Senzo, but also rippling out to the community around them. Thank you!