Humana People to People in South Africa 15 Years in the Fight against Poverty and HIV and AIDS

The story of HPP South Africa is one of humble beginnings, starting out by selling 2nd hand clothes to raise the funds that were used to start Child Aid Doornkop. Today, the organisation operates 11 social projects in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape Provinces. The organisation employs 1,400 staff and reaches more than 2 million people.

As the sun rose over the crisp blue autumn skies on the morning of Wednesday, 12th May 2010, it was clear that this was no ordinary day for Humana People to People in South Africa (HPP South Africa).  What was the occasion?  On this day, HPP South Africa hosted a celebration event to commemorate its 15th Anniversary. The event was held at the Doornkop Community Hall, in the community where one of Humana People to People’s flagship projects – Child Aid Doornkop – is located and has been active for the last 12 years.

The efforts and hard work from the event organising team were reflected in the venue hall which was beautifully decorated in the Humana colours, setting the tone for the day ahead as guests arrived. As the Master of Ceremonies, Kilford Zimondi, the National TCE Coordinator, welcomed guests and coordinated the programme of the anniversary event.  Attended by community members, local leaders, government officials, donors and many other stakeholders the jovial celebration was marked by combination of speeches, songs and entertainment. These included representatives from SANAC, National Dept of Health, Gauteng Dept of Health, JICA, USAID, Johnson & Johnson, as well as University Research Council, Mindset, World Vision, Academy for Educational Development, and many other organisations. Project staff and volunteers came from all of the five provinces where Humana People to People in South Africa is operating to join the celebration.

The opening prayer was delivered by Reverend Khumalo from the Doornkop community. Following this, Anne Dorte Hoejrup, Humana People to People in South Africa’s National Director gave a short address about the history and progress of the organisation over the past 15 years. Ms. Hoejrup then introduced the 15 years Anniversary booklet which was launched to illustrate the results of the organisation and its visions for the future. The anniversary booklets were handed out to guests attending the event. Guests and staff also received a small gift – a branded anniversary mug – as a token of appreciation for their support, contribution and participation. 

Various donors and long standing partners participated in the event through presenting speeches on the experience of working together with HPP South Africa in the common goal of combating poverty, HIV and AIDS and working towards development. Cordial speeches were made by Mr Victor April from the Department of Social Development, Mr. Acton Khambule from Johnson and Johnson and Wendy Benzerga from USAID.

A heartfelt address was given by Mrs. Mokgadi Phokojoe, Director of Care and Support from the National Department of Health, who acknowledged TCE’s impressive achievement of involving youth in the fight against HIV and AIDS was Field Officers and volunteers, as well as the impact of TCE’s one-on-one door-to-door approach. Dr. Liz Floyd Director of Multi-Sectoral AIDS Unit in Gauteng delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Gauteng MEC of Health and Social Development.  She highlighted the long time collaboration with Humana People to People and the challenges which the department faced.

The speeches were intersected with entertainment performances from project staff, volunteers and youth groups. Performances were made by dance groups from Child Aid Tubatse and Child Aid Bakenberg, traditional dances from various TCE projects, as well as drama performances from Humana Youth in Action and KwaZulu Natal Experimental College (KNEC). Child Aid Tubatse Project Leader, Nondumiso Khethwa led the gathering in sing four common songs. The common songs are an important feature of the Humana People to People Africa culture,  and are often sung by project staff and volunteers as a symbol of solidarity, to motivate themselves and to mobilise community members in their field.

The final address was delivered from Mr. Bob Dzere, long standing Board Member at Humana People to People in South Africa. Mr.  Dzere presented Anne Dorte Hoejrup with a gift on behalf of the Board. The gift was a Zimbabwean sculpture called ‘The Thinking Lady’.

The event was closed with a Sarafina dance performance by a vibrant children’s dance group from Child Aid Doornkop, after which lunch was served.

This Anniversary is an important milestone for Humana People to People in South Africa and the communities that we work in. With the widespread problems of poverty and HIV and AIDS, we are determined to continue being part of bring solutions by empowering people to uplift themselves and their communities. Going forward we aim to continue forging our way in working with disadvantaged communities to secure improvements of their economic situation, education and social wellbeing, through implementing programmes that involve communities in fighting for their own development. Humana People to People in South Africa looks forward to continue forging strong relations and working together with the South African Government, partners and other stakeholders to better the lives of the people of South Africa, with the common goal of contributing to building our beautiful country.