Nurture Africa’s Post

Did you know that Sanctum is Saskatchewan’s first and only HIV Hospice and transitional care home? Find out more about this crucial work and how you can help at sanctumcaregroup.com #donate #hospicecare #saskatoon #YXE #SanctumCareGroup

📣 FYI: This year's A Taste for Life theme is "Not Letting Our Stories Disappear." We asked our HIV Lived Experience Advisory why we should raise funds for HIV-STBBI care at Nine Circles on April 17. The HLEA answered: "Celebrating A Taste for Life’s 25th year, it prompts us to reflect on the importance of Nine Circles and its mission. Easy to support, Nine Circles plays a pivotal role in drawing attention to the rising rates of HIV in Manitoba, a consequence of chronic underfunding for HIV care. Supporting Nine Circles is not just an act of support; it's an investment in the health and well-being of oneself and one's family. The stark reality that HIV can affect anyone at any time underscores the importance of backing this cause. Beyond individual concerns, there exists a collective responsibility to get involved, as those who head out on April 17th are not only supporting care, but prevention of HIV-STBBIs." Support Nine Circles and our life-saving care when you order at a participating A Taste for Life location. ❤️ LOCATIONS 👉 atasteforlife.org/winnipeg DONATE 👉 ninecircles.ca/donate . . . #atasteforlife #atasteforlife2024 #atasteforlifewinnipeg #atfl #atfl2024 #atflwpg2024 #atflwpg #hivaids #nonprofit #hivawareness #aidsawareness #harmreduction

The desperate need of funding has become a reality, and this reality is needed urgently as vulnerable communities suffering from ignorance, stigmas, myths and HIV/AIDS are in desperate need of our services. We have devised a plan that is comprehensive and embraces 50 communities. Working alongside the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is an honour and our mandate is to share this knowledge with those who need it most, whilst uplifting and training our own staff, counsellors and volunteers. In this way they would be equipped and empowered to take on many more challenges. The ripples of upliftment would be felt within the communities and the economy as a whole. Upskilling would also play a role amongst those with HIV/AIDS to give them the opportunity of gainful employment, giving them a purpose and hope in a better tomorrow. Intense mentoring workshops, role plays and debates would be the order of the day as a form of catharsis to express the plethora of feelings that victims of this disease experience, often feeling unheard, misunderstood or just to ashamed to talk about it. Regular taking of ARVs would be monitored and encouraged whilst preventative methods would play a pivotal role. In summary, this project is multifaceted and all embracing. We are hoping that it will capture the donor’s imagination and collectively the funding will make these noble plans, a project that successfully embraces the needs of those suffering whilst preventing thousands more of the same fate. Join us now on the journey of light and hope – give now and collectively we can make changes in the lives of those most vulnerable, broken and hurting. Time is of the essence and to this end, a sense of urgency is required! To be apart of this cause, click on the below link to donate: https://lnkd.in/dE6jZpTn #RedCrossSocietyWC #AlwaysNeededAlwaysThere #Funding #CommunityUpliftment #DesmondTutuFoundation #HIVAwareness #EmpowerThroughKnowledge #ARVMonitoring #HopeForTomorrow #PreventativeCare #UrgencyInAction #MakeADifference #DesmondTutuHealthFoundation

Let's celebrate grantmakers who do things better! 🎉 AIDS United is currently seeking proposals for the Southern HIV Impact Fund. Here are just some of the grantmaking best practices found in their request for proposals (RFP): ✔️ (My personal favorite!) They offer three options to apply: 1) A live 60-minute Zoom call, 2) A written application, 3) A pre-recorded video. ✔️ They provide a clear timeline for funding decisions, payment, and project implementation. ✔️ The application questions are listed in the RFP. ✔️ They allow general operating requests. ✔️ The RFP includes staff email addresses for questions and technical assistance requests. ✔️ They are prioritizing organizations led and majority-staffed by individuals most impacted by HIV. Thank you, AIDS United, and all the agencies that have contributed to this effort! #Grantmaking #EquitableGrantmaking #HIVGrants #Philanthropy #Grants #Nonprofits

The Mercury Phoenix Trust was founded by Brian May, Roger Taylor and their manager Jim Beach in memory of rock band Queen's iconic lead #singer Freddie Mercury who died in 1991 from #AIDS related causes. ... For many years, the MPT has focused on #funding #Education and Awareness projects in the developing world, believing that knowledge and prevention are key to tackling this terrible #disease. The projects funded cover a breadth of education and awareness issues, ranging from educating grandparents looking after their grandchildren #orphaned by AIDS in #Cambodia, to preventing mother to child transmission in #SouthAfrica, to HIV awareness #theatre in #PapuaNewGuinea and educating sexually active youth globally. Although the MPT donates to the large #NGO's and well-known charities, the greater part of funding goes direct to small grassroots organisations, which the bigger charities tend to overlook. By doing so, the MPT makes a real difference. We are proud of the fact that more that 93p in each pound we raise goes to funding projects spread across the globe and in total the MPT has #funded well over 1,500 projects in 57 countries, giving away over £17m in the global battle against AIDS. HELP US to use Freddie’s memory and charisma to keep funding these desperately needed #HIV / AIDS global initiatives." https://lnkd.in/eAESPXsG #mercuryphoenixtrust

Time for a work and life update!   As many of you know, I left OSF in 2021, and moved into consulting with philanthropy and civil society. Through VAPA Consulting, I’ve had the immense pleasure to be in solidarity with movement organizations that have the power to make lasting impact, while bridging the (often too wide) gaps between movement and philanthropy.   My consulting work and previous jobs have given me an insider’s view of dozens of organizations. I’ve been lucky to witness these organizations’ work up close. And I’ve been even luckier to more deeply understand what values uphold their goals, and how those values impact their internal culture. (You can learn more about my consulting here: https://lnkd.in/exUVFcCK)   It’s common wisdom, but I find it bears repeating often and loudly: *The process is the outcome.* Organizations that have strong, human-centered, accountable work cultures have better outcomes. I’m excited and lucky to share that I now get to join one of those organizations. (Part time - I’m absolutely still consulting!)   As of July, in addition to my consulting work, I've joined Aidsfonds as a Strategic Advisor. As part of their International Team, I'll support Aidsfonds' strategy development, the deepening of their co-decision making processes with communities, and their philanthropic advocacy, among other things.   It's a challenging and exciting role. Progressive Northern and Western philanthropy – Aidsfonds included – is struggling with questions of power, privilege and what decolonial aid looks like. The HIV movement – Aidsfonds included – is struggling with increased compassion fatigue and government repression, coupled with decreased HIV funding. And activists and philanthropy alike are seeking ways to better link local, national, regional, and global advocacy. These are the questions I’ll be holding space for. They’re not questions any one person or organization can hold alone, and I’m looking forward to working through them with many of you all. For more information about Aidsfonds, you can check out the webite here: https://aidsfonds.org/     A final update: entirely unrelated to this new role, but in happy coincidence with it, I moved to The Netherlands earlier this year. If you happen to pass through, please do get in touch for a coffee or a walk along a scenic Dutch canal.

Cold, wet weather is hardest on our most vulnerable citizens. Scott Elliott, Executive Director of Dr. Peter Centre (a non-profit with a mission to support people with HIV, complex health and social needs), shared that "Love is #HarmReduction. Warm socks are harm reduction." Think of this as we support others; sometimes warm socks are more than just socks. Listen how Scott + team provide help + belonging: https://ow.ly/EP7M50Qc7J3 #WickedMindPod #GivingTuesday

“Though she is but little, she is fierce” - William Shakespeare. As I followed the conversations on the International Day of the Girl Child, I stumbled upon two remarkable organizations -Entito Sidai and Samburu Women Trust- that are a beacon of hope in solving the TRIPLE THREAT: HIV and AIDS, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and adolescent pregnancies. In sub-Saharan Africa, one in four young women gives birth before their 18th birthday, a rate much higher than the global average of 14%. Even more concerning, 17% of girls in SSA below 15 years old have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), while 35% of women in SSA are married before age 18. The impact of the triple threat on both the population and development is profound. Girls who don't complete their secondary education face higher vulnerabilities to HIV, health complications, and poor outcomes. Adolescent mothers diagnosed with HIV must bear the weight of unplanned pregnancies and a lifetime of treatment. They also have a tough time preventing mother-to-child transmission. As if that weren't enough, this cycle perpetuates poverty at multiple levels, burdening social services such as healthcare and education. Adolescent pregnancies disrupt education and economic opportunities limiting their participation in development. What’s being done? The National Aids Control Council and National Council for Population and Development have united with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), other government entities, and implementing partners to combat this triple threat. They're designing strategies to eliminate these challenges and make a real difference in the lives of young girls. Organizations like Entito Sidai, led by the dedicated Caroline Kamau are advocating to end child marriages and FGM. Similarly, Samburu Women Trust, an Indigenous women-led network under the leadership of Jane Meriwas, is working tirelessly to advance the rights of women and girls. The call to action is clear: we need to rally around these organizations and support their efforts. We can support them through #donations, #volunteering, or #spreadingawareness #Dayofthegirl #GirlChild #Kenya

There is no cure for HIV and prevention is key, if you are unsure about your status you can get tested at any time. #fighthiv&aids #prevention #spreadawareness #gettested #seekhelp #asksupport #support #donate #volunteertoday #nonprofit #wpsm

Ten years ago when I first entered philanthropy, the Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) Summit was one of the first conferences I attended. Now, I'm honored to be organizing their 2025 Summit, alongside so many wonderful activists and philanthropists, FCAA has always pushed to break the silos that so often interfere in an effective HIV response. It's asking the question: Why do we separate funding and programming for HIV, for human rights, for democracy, for gender justice, for climate resilience, when all of these issues are deeply intertwined? No HIV response will be effective unless there are democratic governments that prevent the gender violence which perpetuates HIV infections in women, adolescent girls, trans people, and the MSM community. No HIV response will be effective when human rights violations and extreme climate events prevent people from accessing prevention and treatment services. The 2025 Summit will happen a month after 2024's mass elections conclude. The conference offers us a place to assess the political reality that will make or break the HIV - and climate, and gender justice, and democratic, and human rights, and, and, and - responses going forward. Please consider helping me build a relevant and transformative conference by submitting a session. And please consider joining me in Washington, D.C. in January 2025 to chart a path forward for the years to come.