South Africa's AIDS epidemic
August 17, 2000

Objectives

Students will:

Examine the effects of AIDS on children in South Africa.

Research the AIDS epidemic in South Africa and its consequences.

Describe long-term social, political and economic consequences of widespread AIDS in South Africa.

Explain how the value system of a society exerts great influence on the attitudes and behavior of people.

Standards

At the high school level, students are able to think systematically about personal, national and global decisions and interactions and consequences, including addressing critical issues such as peace, human rights, trade and global ecology.

Civic Ideals and Practices

High school students increasingly recognize the rights and responsibilities of citizens in identifying societal needs, setting directions for public policies and working to support individual dignity and the common good. They learn by experience how to participate in community service and political activities and how to use democratic process to influence public policy.

Suggested time

One to two class periods

Materials

CNNfyi article, "A haven for AIDS homeless"
(scroll down on this page to view the article)

Materials for creating charts or multimedia presentations

Procedures

1. Survey the class to assess students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Discuss the AIDS epidemic in the United States and the world as well as prevention campaigns and social implications. Talk about the International AIDS Conference held in July in South Africa. Ask students if they are aware of the international attention on Africa since reports listed staggering numbers of AIDS cases there. Discuss what happens when parents die of the disease.

2. Have students read the CNNfyi article "A haven for AIDS homeless." Then ask the following:

Who is Nkosi Johnson? How did he meet Gail Johnson? Where is Nkosi's Haven? Why was it established? What happens to children of deceased parents in villages where there are no shelters? How many women live there with children? How would you describe Gail Johnson's vision for her project?

What do you think will happen to these orphans? Why do you believe AIDS-stricken people are being rejected? Do you agree or disagree that children with AIDS should not be allowed in schools? Explain.

Why do you think that Feroza Mohamed is an outcast in her home village? "I need to know that I am offering comfort and ... a life of substance to people who've been rejected," Gail Johnson said. Based on that statement, what motive is there for Johnson to initiate such a project? Explain why this type of humanitarian gesture and concern is necessary. Do you believe that people should feel obligated to help others in need around the world? If not, explain. If so, to what extent should people go to assist others?

3. Group students into three teams and have each team research either long-term social, political or economic consequences of widespread AIDS in South Africa. Direct students to online and media resources for their research. Groups may want to consider any of the following questions/issues: How will poor nations pay for vaccines or treatment? Who will assist these nations with funding? What government financial assistance is available, if any? What are AIDS patients' legal rights? How are AIDS patients' social lives changed because of this disease? What political implications are involved with AIDS? After researching consequences, direct each group to present its findings.

4. Have members of each group brainstorm for ways to educate their community and the world on their plan for action.

Assessment

Allow each group time to create a plan that would educate others and have them present their ideas to the class. Encourage students to create plans that would prompt people to become active in their local or global communities. Direct them to create media presentations or charts to illustrate their ideas.

A haven for AIDS homeless

Advocate establishes South African home
for mothers, children who are HIV-positive
August 17, 2000

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNN) -- From the moment of his birth, Nkosi Johnson has had to fight.

As one of Africa's millions of AIDS-stricken children, he had to battle those who didn't want to let him go to school. And when he is sick, his own body turns against him.

But Nkosi has a real advocate in Gail Johnson, the woman who adopted him from a care center where she once worked. Johnson has begun a project she calls Nkosi's Haven, a home for women and children with AIDS who have nowhere else to go.

Nkosi's mother had to give him up because she was dying of AIDS. Those are the types of women -- the abandoned and terminally ill -- that Johnson said she targets to help.

Women such as Feroza Mohamed are benefiting from Johnson's efforts. Mohamed is among 10 women living at Nkosi's Haven. They are able to keep their children with them during the little time they have left.

"The moment you ask her, she (Johnson) is there for you," Mohamed said. "I am dying of this disease, but I know she is making it better."

Mohamed's son, also HIV-positive, stays with her at Nkosi's Haven. Another son who was born just the week she arrived did not survive.

Mohamed is an outcast in her village, but she said she can now die in peace, knowing that Johnson will not turn her son out to fend for himself.

Johnson also has "adopted" other AIDS orphans by taking food to them in the townships and paying for their schooling.

Gail Johnson founded Nkosi's Haven, a home for women and children with AIDS who have nowhere else to go

"Yesterday, Nkosi was asking me what my dream was," Johnson said. "I'd love to see Nkosi's Haven Project caring for 15,000 women in two years' time."

Forty-four women are on the waiting list for moving into the home, and the need is growing.

"It's beg, borrow and steal at the moment," Johnson said. "I need to raise a lot."

Another dream Johnson has is to raise $2 million in the United States. With the favorable exchange rate, she said she believes she could easily open and fund three more care centers.

"I need to know that I am offering comfort and ... a life of substance to people who've been rejected," Johnson said. "I'd like to think I've given them some hope -- and a reason for just carrying on."

CNN Medical Correspondent Eileen O'Connor contributed to this report.