About this user
Isu Labasha (Youth Vision) is a South African nonprofit organization aimed at stopping the devastation caused by HIV/AIDs. We all know that HIV is a deadly virus. However, the damage of the epidemic far exceeds that of merely the death toll. Crime, poverty, drug abuse, prostitution and unemployment all are conditions under which HIV strives, but even worse is the fact that they are all exacerbated by the spread of the virus.
Isu Labasha was founded by members of the rural community in Marion Hill, South Africa. We believe that this grassroots approach is the most effective because since we are from the community, we know the community. That is why our workshop topics are tailored to the community's most critical needs. We also have a strong background and cultural tie with the community, thereby making us more credible and having a more realistic impact.
The rural community is especially vulnerable to HIV/AIDs. Not only do we have the worst shortages of health care infrastructure and personnel in the country, we also have non-existing communication and transportation networks that are so crucial to HIV prevention. That is why HIV now runs rampant in the rural areas and the conditions continue to deteriorate. We are the only organization that is functioning in HIV prevention in the Marion Hill area.
We are composed of entirely volunteers community members, social workers, medical students, and other caring people from around the world. Since we volunteer our time, there are no administrative costs or red tape. All funds go directly to educating the people with knowledge on how to protect themselves.
HIV is a very complicated issue. As history has shown, it cannot be treated as merely a disease, but also as a social problem. That is why we in Isu Labasha believe in a comprehensive approach to preventing HIV/AIDs. In our workshops, we cover topics ranging from teen pregnancy and drug abuse to tuberculosis and nutrition. These are all issues closely related to HIV prevention and caring for those already infected or affected.
Our hope is to educate the community so they can protect themselves. Our vision is a future free of HIV/AIDs.
