HIV project seeks volunteers
HIV/AIDS support network the Ankali Project is calling for new volunteers to help provide emotional support and assistance to people living with HIV.
Founded in 1985, the Ankali Project was established to provide support to HIV-positive people and their loved ones, and to combat the social isolation, loneliness and stigma that often accompanies a HIV-positive diagnosis. Support is provided by roughly 130 volunteers, who are partnered with a HIV-positive person, partner or family member on a one-to-one basis for at least six months.
People interested in volunteering must complete Ankali’s training program over two weekends, where potential volunteers learn about the issues facing HIV-positive people and ways they might provide support. Once they start, volunteers provide up to five hours of support a week either in-person or by phone in order to give their client someone to socialise with and talk to. They are also required to attend weekly support meetings with other volunteers, in order to share experiences and advice with each other on taking care of clients.
Ankali’s next training sessions are the July 6/7 and 13/14 weekends.
