A Special Jambo The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) African Team brings you its special seasonal Jambo greetings!!!!!!!.

Staff Corner The vibrant and energetic team is comprised of four dedicated individuals, all originally from the blessed continent of Africa. During the festive season, Rodney, will be visiting his family in Dallas, USA. Marian, will visit her family in Sydney, Australia. Carlos and Tuwe, will be local. We are pleased to share with you that Tuwe was one of the winners at the recent Auckland University of Technology 3-Minute Thesis speaking competition, for postgraduates students. He came third out of 11 contestants.

Community educationOne of the ways we disseminate HIV and AIDS information into our communities, in a simple and yet effective manner, is through holding Community Education sessions. The objective of these sessions is to provide information and educate community members on HIV/STI prevention and to raise awareness in ways that are culturally appropriate to our communities. Presentations are done by our trained community educators and some of the sessions are also conducted by our staff. To join our team please contact the coordinator in your respective region.

Youth WorkshopsYouth workshops are held throughout our main centres. These are vibrant and interesting. They are structured in a way that stimulates discussion and debate among the young people.

Religious WorkshopsWe have managed to build and maintain a healthy relation with our religious leaders in our communities. Workshops have been held in main cities to engage our religious leaders who also have their important views on HIV and AIDS. The most recent workshop was held on 18 November 2012 in Christchurch. We would like to sincerely thank our community leaders for their genuine support and encouragement.

AfricaNZ Health Project The NZAF has played a pivotal role in this current research which is being undertaken jointly by Massey and Otago Universities - both are leading institutions of higher learning in NZ. This will be the first comperehensive study on HIV in our communities yet. It is important to note that other communities in NZ have had HIV research done on them.

NEW ZEALAND AIDS FOUNDATION AFRICAN COMMUNITIES NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12- DEC 2012

Tuwe with some of the winners at AUT 3MT competition in August 2012

One of the Community Education sessions in Wellington

WellingtonRodney Tendekayi Mugadza rodney.mugadza@nzaf.org.nz04 381 6649

AucklandCarlos Abdelrahman carlos@nzaf.org.nz09 303 6956

Programme Manager AucklandKudakwashe Tuwek.tuwe@nzaf.org.nz09 300 6968

ChristchurchMarian Aden Hussenmarian.hussen@nzaf.org.nz03 353 6814

NZAF Contacts

Our staff member Carlos (far right) at one of the Youth Workshops in Auckland.

Our staff member, Rodney (far right) at a Community Education sessions in Wellington

HIV Today’s Story - the DVDWe recently released a DVD entitled “HIV Today’s Story”; a drama about how a new HIV diagnosis affects the average African family. This is a “must-view” piece of work, written by Stanley Makuwe, an internationally renowned play-writer and performed by some of our talented artists from our NZ-based African communities. The short film is on our website lovecoverprotect.co.nz

Community EngagementNZAF has attended and sponsored most of the key community events, such as National Independence Day celebrations and sport activities. This gives NZAF the opportunity to be part of the community and be able to disseminate and share information on HIV and AIDS.

Miss Africa Pageants NZAF is proud to be the main sponsor of Miss Africa in NZ. The Pageant is about displaying African talent, heritage, and cultures. It provides a platform for the contestants to showcase their talents and also to give back to their communities. The contestants benefit immensely by learning public speaking, presentation skills, become good role models, engage in charity work in their community and improve their confidence and self-esteem.

Burundians in Auckland celebrated the 50 years anniversary of independence in June 2012 with live performances and a taste of Burundian cuisine.

Special thank you to the awesome Miss Africa organisers! L to R- Rodney (Wellington), Mercy Matsheza (Hamilton) and Makanaka Tuwe (Auckland ).

A jovial and energetic dancer at Souls of Africa event in Christchurch October 2012

Community leader speaking at the 1st South Sudan Anniversary of independence July 2012

(L to R) Samantha Diverias 1st Princess, Nina August (Crown winner Wellington) and Martha Nguma 2nd Princess

L to R- Chantelle Peters (crowned Miss Africa- Hamilton), Tuwe and Chante Munroe (1st Princess)

MIss Africa Wellington 2012 contestants

The drama - HIV Today’s Story

Tapping the community Talent The African community is one of the fastest growing communities in New Zealand. It’s not just a numerical growth, but in talent as well. One of the talented persons is young Takudzwa Paradza, popularly known as TK. TK made History by becoming the first New Zealand (NZ) African Artist to hit the NZ top 40. TK and his band Titanium hit the Number 1 spot on the NZ Music Chart with their song “Come On Home” and won Gold and Platinum Award. TK, is our NZAF “Ambassador” and a trained community educator.

International ConnectionsNZAF African Team continues to network with other similar programmes and organisations internationally.In September 2012 Tuwe was invited to speak at the 4th International HIV conference in Gaborone, Botswana. Tuwe would like to sincerely thank the Botswana HIV Clinicians Society for the invitation and for sponsoring both the trip and conference. A big thank you also goes to NZAF management and staff for the support.

Logo and Banners NZAF recently revised our logo and programme banners. Love Cover Protect is our social marketing campaign aims at increasing condom use among African communities in NZ.

NZAF African Advisory BoardThe African team at the NZAF would like to sincerely thank African Advisory Board members for their unwavewring support given over the past eight years. The Board’s main role is to advise on the strategic direction of the NZAF African team.

God bless Africa!From the team at New Zealand AIDS Foundation

Community Engagement African Communitieswww.nzaf.org.nz

GET IT ON! “Love Cover Protect” logo 2012

NZAF senior management and the NZAF African Advisory Board

AUT-African Students Club organised a BBQ day at Mission Bay in Auckland.

TK (left) with Rodney (DJ Dozen) showing his award

Ladies from Kenya at the“Souls of Africa” function in Christchurch.