About Ntwakgolo Support Group (People living with AIDS)

In Setswana (the official language in Botswana), “Ntwakgolo” means Great War. This is an appropriate name for this battle that is being waged against HIV/AIDS in Nata.  Ntwakgolo Support Group consists of 20 active members who are living openly with their HIV status.  They have come together to support each other and to educate others about HIV/AIDS.  HIV/AIDS continues to carry stigma and people fear discrimination.  The members of Ntwakgolo are true heroes as they are the first in the community to step out and live openly with the disease.  They are setting an example for others and encouraging others to live openly with their status.  Currently, about 50% of the members are taking ARV’s.  The other members have a CD4 (t-cell) count above 200 which makes them ineligible for ARV’s.

The mission of the group is to support one another, educate others, and to engage in income generating projects that will provide financial assistance to the members.  The group has written a constitution so that they may be registered as a Community Based Organization (CBO).  We are currently waiting for approval from the Registrar of Societies in Gabarone (capital of Botswana).  Once the group is registered as a CBO, then they will be eligible to apply for grants from the many funding agencies supporting HIV/AIDS.  It is an incredibly long process to receive funds from these donor organizations.  It is especially difficult for people in the rural areas, who often lack the education, to complete the forms and submit proposals.  So, at this point, the members are doing the best they can with the assistance of the local Social Worker and Peace Corps Volunteer to organize and to engage in small income generating projects. 

The Nata Clinic offered a small plot where members have grown vegetables for their own use and have sold the excess for a small profit.  The group also sells oranges, candies, and other items to make a small profit.  The group also recently held a raffle and earned $150.  The money that the group earns helps those on the ARV’s pay for their transportation to the ARV clinic (60 miles away in Gweta) as the Nata Clinic often cannot provide transport. The group currently has approximately $250 in their account.  They use this money to serve as a micro-lender.  Members can “borrow” $20 and pay back with a few percent interest.  This system is very useful as the current lending rate in Botswana is nearly 20% and most members would not qualify for any kind of loan no matter how small. 

The group has applied for a large plot with the land board. Once they are approved to be a CBO they will be granted the plot.  They would like to have a large garden and they hope to one day build a support and counseling center for those with HIV/AIDS.  We will continue to fundraise for fencing and building materials for the center.

UPDATE - MAY 2008

Pictured above are members of the group wearing the shirts you bought them.  To the far right is the social worker, Kennedy and our treasurer, Martha Ramaditse is 3rd from the right in the first row.  The members have received over $900 in transport money to reach Gweta and to also reach Francistown for other medical needs.  In the past 2 years, not one member of the group has died. 

They meet every Friday to support one another and to discuss their projects.  They proudly wear their shirts to all of their meetings and functions.  They received a plot of land and  fencing last year and now have a garden project.  They grow vegetables for themselves and sell the left overs for income generation.  The members would all like to thank our donors for their support.  Members are always on hand to speak at functions and to encourage others in the community to live openly with the disease.  The members of Ntwakgolo Support group are leading the way in making Nata a stigma free village.

Comments

[Raija]

I feel bad for people who have to wake up every morning in Africa knowin that they are HIV positive, and it hurts to see people disguted with themselves because whether you know it or not someone still is there and loves you dearly.

[Wabuya Khonou]

Hi! Melody i just wanted to thank you for the great job you are doing for my home village.Im currently attending medical school in New York. I was in Nata last month but i never knew about this great war you are fighting.I felt so bad to learn about this website while im back here.Anyway i still believe that i can contribute much while im still here. I have wrote an article about Aids that i sent to a local newspaper but it was never published, i think i can email it to you and we can take it from there. Being from africa and having been introduced to a western culture i have realized that for Us to win the fight agaist the epidemic one needs to take into account the culture and ethics of the subjects involved.For example in Botswana people believe in witchcraft and many deaths caused by Aids have been blamed to witchcraft.

[kakanyo masalila]

hi melody. would like to thank you for the great job u r doing, i just discovered about the site u have put up about nata its so great. im currently studying medicine in australia i wish to help with anything since nata is my home town. here in australia we got an organisation called bam-botswana aids melbourne in short, i was thinking of working in conjuction with u to bring the organisation home...thanks a lot

[Oarabile Ntshese]

Hie people there.i am so greatful for the work you are doing there.i just discovered about the website lately nand want to compliment you.i am currently in Gaborone and as a nata memberer wish to contribute any help you would like to have

I might be far but nata will alwys be my place to be.

[Margie Drlicka]

Hi Aunt Mel, It's me Margie. We meet on 4th of July when you were in the USA. It was so great to get to know you. I've been searching your website and trying to get people intrested in your website to donate some money. After looking at the pictures it's not what i had pictured. I've been reading the other blogs and i do believe your a hero to them. Please write back i would love to hear more stories.

[Chat]

theme site lince looks nice

[MARTY]

Hi MEL,ITS MARTILDA AGAIN!although i was unable to meet you because of some communucation problems and arriving late in nata,but i have seen the site its so great and nice but Mel i wanna to contribute in this type of projects especially for the orphans i do have clothes to give to these children but my time its against my will.please write back i would like to hear more stories i am reading these almost every day.you are star mel may god bless you thats great.ke a leboga{thank you}

[Gorata]

i have viewed with great interest the Nata Website.I am a Nata resident but born and raised in the mining town called Phikwe..i dont have money to offer but i would like to assist in anyway possible by being a member of the organisation which came up with this idea,...

regard

Ramontsho

[Etienne le Roux]

This is not a comment, rather a question. We are a missionary team from South Africa looking for accomodation in Nata. Can you please refer me to someone. We prefer to stay at a missionary set up if possible.

Regards
Etienne

[Melody Jenkins]

Dear Etienne,
Currently there are no missionaries in Nata. Accomodation is very difficult in Nata. Currently, the Nata Lodge is the only lodge in Nata and it runs at capacity during the busy season (May - October). The Northgate Lodge will be opening hopefully within the month. You can expect to pay anywhere from P400 to P600 per night at the lodges. There are four small rooms for rent at P275 per night from Mma Setimela and her cell number is 267 71806236. Sonny also has 3 places and his number is 267 71895952. These rooms have double beds, and bathrooms but no kitchens or other ammenities. I hope this helps. Melody

[chat]

very nice

[netlog]

very nice

[Botho]

Thats great. kip the spirit of helping others up.wud like to hear more frm u !

[k.ramaditse]

wow!neva thought of anything like this taking place in my home village. continue the good work, God bless u

[chat]

thenk youu natavilage aygulum raul

[sohbet]

thenk youu natavilage aygulum raul mcx

[sohbet]

Very Good topic. Can you please refer me to someone. We prefer to stay at a missionary set up if possible.
Regards