N E W Z E A L A N D A I D S FO U N DAT I O N A FR I CA N C O M M U N I T I E S N E W S L E T T E R
Jambo, Jambo to you all!
Auckland Rumishael Masanga rumishael.masanga@ nzaf.org.nz 09 303 6956
Wellington Fungisai Foto fungasi.foto@ nzaf.org.nz 04 381 6649
Christchurch Marian Aden Hussen marian.hussen@ nzaf.org.nz 03 353 6814
Programme Manager Auckland Kudakwashe Tuwe k.tuwe@nzaf.org.nz 09 300 6968
Jambo is the Swahili word for ‘hello’ and once again it is time to touch base and say Jambo to our supporters. This newsletter is designed to keep you in touch with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s (NZAF) work with African communities.
ISSUE 08 DEC 10
HIV Prevalence Rates
In New Zealand, African communities are the second population group most affected by HIV, after gay and bisexual men. In 2009, African communities accounted for 14% of HIV diagnoses.
NZAF African Team
We are pleased to report that our team is happy and forging ahead fulfilling our communities’ goals and aspirations. In 2010, Marian Hussen (Christchurch) visited her homeland Somalia; Fungisai Foto (Wellington) went to Perth and Kudakwashe Tuwe (Auckland) visited his home-country Zimbabwe. Some great news: Rumi (Auckland) has another beautiful baby girl named Eden. Congratulations Rumi and Robyn!
Celebrate Africa!
The NZAF joined the Nigerian community to celebrate Nigerian Independence Day in Wellington and enjoyed fabulous food and stirring speeches from special guests, including Chief Alphaeus Onyeke-Onyeke. New Zealand Africans joined others in welcoming Chris Gudu, a renowned Zimbabwean musician, to our shores as he toured with his sensational band. Hot African beats were enjoyed by all!
Meet the Team! Left to Right: Marian, Tuwe, Rumi and Fungi
World AIDS Day
Thank you to all the World AIDS Day volunteers who helped us raise money at our 26 November street collections around the country. So far, more than $32, 566 has been raised.
Above: Alphaeus Onyeke-Onyeke at Nigerian independence celebrations. Below: Tuwe with Chris Gudu
New Resources
We have recently developed a new resource: Preventing HIV. It’s culturally appropriate, professionally designed and targeted at all sexually active members of our communities. It features Vanessa Umugabekazi from Burundi and Brian Mathenga from Zimbabwe on the front cover. Vanessa and Brian are the two new NZAF African Champions, who are committed to the values and principles of our programme. We have also developed four different cards for young people, with contact information and relevent links to sexual health information websites. Contact Tuwe or another member of the team for copies of our resources (details on front).
Community Events
The relationship that NZAF staff have with NZ-based African communities continues to grow. We have been involved in many community events including soccer, youth groups and cultural events. Recently we attended the Zimbabwe Library Project launch in Hamilton, which was led by the Zimbabwean Victory Fellowship Church. It was officially opened by the Hamilton Deputy Mayor Hon Pippa Mahood (photo, above left). In September we joined the Ethiopian community in celebrating their New Year. The team were treated to lovely Ethiopian traditional music and dance (photo top right). Fungi and Tuwe facilitated workshops with African young people in Wellington (photo above, lower right). Thank you to our African Advisory Board for supporting all our activities (photo above, lower left).
Our Partners
We’re proud of the support our programme is shown by other service providers. We work closely with a range of partners in New Zealand including clinicians, universities, refugee services and faith-based organisations. The NZAF African Advisory Board continues to advice and direction to the NZAF and our work with African communities, especially on cultural issues. Without their wisdom and unwavering support, the NZAF African Communities team would not have smoothly sailed this far. NZAF Community Educators provide invaluable information about preventing HIV to African communities across New Zealand, and even more people are being trained up for this important role.
Tuwe with some of the key community leaders at a Refugee Services workshop in Auckland
Thank you!
Thank you to all those who continue to support us, both African communities and NZAF staff. The NZAF wishes you all a special Jambo Christmas! God bless you, and God bless Africa.
Keep in touch
We want to enhance the quality of our programme so please get in touch with us if you have anything to share. Email Tuwe on k.tuwe@nzaf.org.nz or call 09 303 3124.
www.nzaf.org.nz