SHARE

It has been over decades in South Africa since the first democratic election at 1994, after the dismantling of notorious apartheid (policy of segregation). However, the state of the Black poverty hasn't improved while equality is recognized politically. Current situation of HIV spread is not completely unrelated to this poverty.

South Africa base

Area	122 sq km (3.2 times as Japan)
Population	4,483 million (2003)
Racial makeup	Black (79%), White (9.6%), Mixed (8.9%), Asian (2.5%)
Official language	English, Afrikaans, Isi Ndebele, Isi Xhosa, Isi Zulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Si Swati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga
Religion	Christianity (80%), Hinduism, Islamism
Average life expectancy from birth※1	47 YRS
HIV-infection rate※2	21.5% (15-49 YRS)
Maternity HIV-infection rate※3	29.5%
Infant mortality rate	153 / birth 1,000 (2003)
Mortality rate of children under the age of 5	166 / birth 1,000 (2003)
Maternal mortality rate	1,230 / birth 100,000 (2003)

Sources:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Website
※ 1 The State of The World's Children 2005 (UNICEF)
※ 2 2004 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic (UNAIDS/WHO)
※ 3 2005 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic (UNAIDS/WHO)

Project now

• Providing Appropriate Care for those living with HIV/AIDS
• HIV/AIDS Prevention
• Prevention Efforts Directed by HIV-Positive Patients
• Providing Care to Children Affected By HIV/AIDS
• Promote Home Garden

Project past

HIV/AIDS has a serious effect on especially the poverty and local society in South Africa, where one out of five people are infected with HIV virus. In Limpopo, one of the poor states, strong bias and discrimination generate an isolated circumstance for HIV patients with delay in taking action by government, especially at rural areas having less information and support.

In such a situation, it is necessary to advance a support system to remain health of HIV patients and raise effects of infection spreading prevention in rural areas. In particular, the circumstance to accept HIV patients is needed, by correct knowledge and information about HIV/AIDS. And prevention activities are desired, not only for knowledge dissemination but also consisting mainly of the local people including patients themselves.