The First Department
The Support Group was established as the first department at DAM for people affected and infected by HIV and Aids. At the present moment income-generating projects such as gardening and sewing are dominating. Especially the eleven gardens which are run by Support Group members are blooming.
The over-all aim is to support each mentally, physically, emotionally and otherwise. This includes education and empowerment workshops, but also spiritual upliftment, to spread faith that one day the cure will be found.
Farming
The Support Group called “Ko2la” was established as the first department at DAM. Today we are working on 16 gardens around Jabavu, planting the vegetables, and offering it to the schools. Some of the food is going to our kitchen where we are prepare meals for our orphans and vulnerable children.The garden project has created jobs for 16 people who are mostly women. Our garden managers are skilled farmers with certificates of various trainings.
Sewing
This program is most of all supporting the elderly from the community who do not want to sit and do nothing, but support their families. They have been creating blankets and bags. On Tuesdays they work in the garden as part of exercising to stay fit.This program is like a therapy for the elderly because they often go through the same problem that is taking greater responsibilities of their grandchildren with limited resources.By coming together, they are able to counsel each other because they are facing the same challenges.With these activities, they are able to deviate from taking care of their household.
