These programmes help those affected by HIV and AIDS to deal with their diagnosis, or that of the people in their community, to manage living with HIV/AIDS, and to develop confidence in themselves and in their interactions with others. Sessions take place in an emotionally safe and confidential environment.

Statement of Need:

In mid-2013, according to Statistics South Africa, there were 5.26 million people living with HIV. In 2009, the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed the shocking statistics that from 1997-2008, the death rate due to AIDS-related illnesses had doubled (http://www.hokisa.co.za). The negative impact of HIV and AIDS on our society reaches all communities and people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. One of the worst consequences of HIV/AIDS is that the majority of deaths occur among adults aged 25-45 years. These are the people who work to support families; hence their deaths actually alter the very structure and dynamics of our economy (http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ad696e/ad696e04.htm#fn4). As a result of deaths in this age group, there are a large number of child-headed households and orphans in South Africa. According to a UNICEF report, there are “an estimated 3.7 million orphans in South Africa, about half of whom have lost one or both parents to AIDS; and 150,000 children are believed to be living in child-headed households” (http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/protection_6633.html). “There is nothing more traumatic for a child than to see a parent die. Children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused and exploited” (http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/protection_6631.html).

As a result of the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa, there are various populations in need of emotional support, from those directly affected by HIV/AIDS to others who are indirectly affected, such as family and community members. With enough support, people living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by it can learn to manage the emotional impact that this epidemic continues to have on millions of people worldwide. The Equinox programmes are an integral part of this support network.

Programme Goals:

• To assist those affected by HIV/AIDS to develop life skills and coping strategies, as well as stress management tools
• To promote emotional growth and learning opportunities through interactions with horses in an emotionally safe and supportive environment
• To assist those affected by HIV/AIDS to learn how to make choices in how they respond to the emotions that are a part of their life, enabling them to become more emotionally resilient
• To assist those affected by HIV/AIDS to develop a social support network

Programme Outcomes:

• Increase self awareness
• Improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Engage in a process of accepting their life situation which has been affected by HIV/AIDS and support them towards their future
• Improve problem solving and goal-setting skills
• Improve self management skills (for example, setting boundaries, learning to say no and dealing with conflict and anger)
• Improve self-esteem by helping them to feel good about themselves, develop their self-worth and increase their level of self-confidence
• Increase personal insights
• Development of practical life skills

Programme Detail:

• Weekly 1-hour session

• Maximum of 8 participants

Cost: