9 March 2009

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate use

Alphen helps generously to promote HIV awareness
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The HIV/Aids awareness campaign in Oudtshoorn received a boost with a generous donation of R260 000 from its twin city, Alphen aan den Rijn, in the Netherlands. The Oudtshoorn Business Chamber and the Oudtshoorn Municipality presented the money to OHANET last Friday.

OHANET is an HIV/Aids support network operating in Oudtshoorn.  The organisation receives financial support to work, in particular, with Aids sufferers and their next of kin but also strives to inform the broader community of Oudtshoorn in a positive manner about the challenges posed by the disease.

The donation was facilitated by the Oudtshoorn Business Chamber.

According to the OHANET committee’s business plan, executive members with special skills will be divided into working groups.  They will be trained, after which they can, within their support groups, equip other people to help care for those infected with HIV/Aids and their loved ones.

High schools, youth groups and special days in the year will be targeted for the Aids prevention programme.  Shows, plays and information sessions, among others, will be presented according to a school’s unique needs.

Programme material will be developed specially for the project.  Campaigns in support of this will be run by selected media.  Funds will of course also be allocated to facilitate transport and other logistical arrangements.

PHOTO:

Jacobus Maloney of the Oudtshoorn Business Chamber presented the Alphen aan de Rijn donation of R260 000 to OHANET chairperson Ms Jane Mduma.  Present at the occasion were (from left): Melcus Nel, Business Chamber chair, Lizbeth Waarts, Jacobus Maloney, Jane Mduma, Vuyisa Forplay and Lwellyn Coetzee of the Oudtshoorn Municipality.

Compiled and issued by the Oudtshoorn Business Chamber
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Melcus Nel at 082 448 0356