Public Health
South Africa: Fourteen years ago South Africa achieved a peaceful transition from a racist, apartheid state to its new identity as the “Rainbow Nation”, where genuine efforts at reconciliation and cooperation have led to a growing economy. Despite South Africa’s recent successes, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has overwhelmed many areas of the country. Acknowledging the need for action, South Africa has created and supported many different programs that focus on prevention – keeping the estimated 40 million South Africans who are not infected with HIV/AIDS healthy, and creating community programs that replace myths and stereotypes with facts.

Cape Town: The program begins with five days in South Africa’s “Mother City”, Cape Town. Our group lives in dormitories at the University of Cape Town, and uses this time to visit Robben Island (once the prison where Nelson Mandela was held), to learn about South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to meet with HIV/AIDS-focused NGOs. With this input students begin to put together a picture of contemporary South African society, culture, and history.

Amangwe Village: From Cape Town, the group flies to Durban and then drives approximately 160 km north to Amangwe Village in KwaZulu-Natal, the South African province with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection. Amangwe Village is located in the North Coast region, an area that is stricken not only by HIV/AIDS, but also by endemic poverty. This devastating combination has resulted in the continued rise in the number of orphans and households run by children. These orphaned children are the first to welcome our students to their Amangwe Village home. In addition to the residential orphanage, the facility also has an on-site day nursery where students volunteer their time and initiate several projects. Amangwe Village also supports community projects designed to teach useful skills and generate income. Ethembeni Care Centre, a 45-bed subacute facility for the care of HIV/AIDS related illnesses and other conditions, as well as an 18 bed pediatric ward, is also located in Amangwe, giving students the opportunity to learn more about HIV/AIDS treatment and enabling them to work alongside health care providers and patients.

Ukhahlamba-Drakensburg Park: Before returning to Yale, students head to nearby Swaziland and the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary for an active working “retreat”. The sanctuary is located in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, and the group participates in short safaris during the day to see giraffe, zebra, elephants, and other wildlife. They spend evenings discussing all they have done and learned in South Africa, preparing to present their plan for ongoing action and involvement to the other Global Action groups at Yale.