"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Matthew 25 v 35-36

About Us

Support for those affected and infected by AIDS and HIV at Waterberg Welfare Society

HIV/AIDS in the Developing World and South Africa

In 2007, the estimated number of persons living with HIV worldwide was 33.2 million*. Everyday, over 6800 persons become infected with HIV and over 5700 persons die from AIDS, mostly because of inadequate access to HIV prevention and treatment services. As a result, the HIV pandemic remains the most serious of infectious disease challenges to public health. Sub-Saharan Africa is still the most affected region in the global AIDS epidemic, with more than two thirds (68%) of all HIV-positive people living in this region, and AIDS remaining the leading cause of death. However, unlike other regions, of the 22.5 million people living with the virus in sub-Saharan Africa, the majority (61%) are women.

The largest number of infections in the world occurs in South Africa, with an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV. In 2007 alone, approximately 350,000 deaths reported were due to AIDS, which on average equates to 950 AIDS-related deaths occurring daily. There are an estimated 460,000 HIV-infected individuals presently receiving antiretroviral treatment and a further 1.7 million needing antiretroviral therapy based on UNAIDS/WHO methodology. Thus despite there being some 362 reported sites that are providing antiretroviral treatment, there is only 28% coverage. As a result of the extraordinary high death rate amongst the adult population, there are an estimated 1.4 million children, who are alive and under the age of 17, and have lost their mother, father or both parents to AIDS. In addition, considering the figures for the number of HIV sero-positive adults and lack of treatment available, the number of orphans can be expected to rise dramatically in the future.

Preliminary evidence indicates that locally the HIV pandemic sweeping through the communities in the Waterberg, reflects the regional situation. Evidence also indicates that the HIV pandemic in the Waterberg mirrors that in the rest of the country. The establishment of the WWS and its programmes has been in response to this crisis.

* Statistics on HIV prevalence were taken from the UNAIDS global and regional reports for 2008.

History of Waterberg Welfare Society

The Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS) is a charity that was founded in 2000 primarily to provide help and support to those individuals infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Our target population of approximately 35,000 nestles within the Waterberg plateau, which is situated three hours north of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a rural population engaged in nature conservation, tourism and agriculture. Vaalwater is the only town in the region and has a fast growing township, Leseding.

Historically the WWS has always tried to address and support the changing needs relating to HIV/AIDS within the community and to work in collaboration with governmental structures and community stakeholders to ensure that an integrated and sustainable response to HIV/AIDS is maintained. Our major achievements to date include:

  • Providing HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness workshops for over 10,000 individuals within the community target group and VCT to 3106 individuals who requested testing
  • Running the only HIV/AIDS treatment and management centre in the area, which currently supports 600 patients with a default rate of only 1%
  • Acquiring, equipping and piloting a mobile clinic from which the WWS can operate a complete HIV treatment programme in rural areas
  • Providing a comprehensive care plan to 445 registered patients and 55 OVCSs, including palliative care, home-based care, counselling and support groups
  • Building a youth centre (Timothy House) on site in Vaalwater, from where our youth programmes and the Hlabologang pre-school operate

Click here for a pictoral journey map of our history, showing the key events in the growth of WWS and the services it provides.

Strategy for 2008-2011

For 2008-2011, WWS has set the following targets for provision of its services:

  • Provide effective HIV treatment and management services for up to 1500 patients with HIV/AIDS, including a strong and effective PMTCT programme for up to 250 pregnant women, and use of the mobile clinic to target rural communities
  • Create and implement HIV prevention campaigns (IEC and VCT) to reach 12 identified rural communities and to train and support 12 primary health care workers (mapopelos) in these communities to support work the campaigns
  • Provide effective programmes for up to 200 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and provide a pre-school to support 40 children
  • Encourage the Department of Health and Social Development to set up a treatemnt centre in Vaaalwater by 2011, with capacity to take over 50% of treatment provision in the Waterberg municipality

Message from the Chairman

"The strategy for 2008 - 2011 builds on the Waterberg Welfare Society's successful implementation of its strategies of 2001 - 2004 and 2004 - 2007. It takes a wide ranging and proactive view of the extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as it impacts on our community in the Waterberg. It therefore addresses issues of awareness, prevention and management of medical, social and educational matters. The strategy not only aims to assist all members of our community to become aware of and alert to the realities of the HIV pandemic but also to assist them to prevent the spread of the virus to themselves, their families and therefore within the community. There is a strong emphasis on support, treatment, provision of care at all levels and rehabilitation for those members of the community infected by the virus."

"The future will be built on the foundation of the present. We aim to assist this community to grow into a healthy, aware and compassionate one which embraces each member through understanding, love and acceptance, and where family values are respected, encouraged and upheld."    Dr. Peter Farrant

Board of Directors

  • Chairman - Dr. Peter Farrant (2004 - 2009)
  • Treasurer - Dr. Tanya D. Baber (2000 - 2009
  • Secretary - Mrs. Marion Frew (2007- 2009)
  • Board Member - Dr. Lebogang Simon Phahladira (2009)
  • Board Member - Mrs Wilhelmina Loudon-Barnaart (2007 - 2009)
  • Board of Reference Member - Ms. Trisha Wilson (2007 - 2009)

Staff Members

WWS currently employs 50 permanent local staff, over a third of whom are living with HIV. July Letsebe is Project Manager of our 'Stepping Forward is a Step Forward' Campaign which aims to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS by encouraging people to step forward and undergo voluntary councelling and testing to establish their HIV status. You can read his personal testimony by following the link below.

July Letsebe's Story.

Map showing location of Waterberg Welfare Society

Where We Are

The Waterberg Welfare Society is based on the outskirts of Leseding township, in Vaalwater, Northern Limpopo, where Bhoikotsung Hospice, the Wellness Centre and Timothy House (for youth and OVCs) are located.

Residential Address: Waterberg Welfare Society, 208/209 Waterberg Street, Vaalwater

Postal Address:  P.O. Box 1029, Vaalwater, 0530, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Contact Us

International Operations Director: Ms. Mary Stephenson

Project Manager: Ms. Joy Baber

'Stepping Forward is a Step Forward' Project Manager: July Letsebe

Youth Director/Boys 2 Men Project Manager: Zachariah Sekhu

Finance Officer: Pinkie Ditsela

OVC Co-ordinator: Christina Ramasodi

Email: 

Tel: +27 (0)14 755 3646

Tel: +27 (0)14 755 3633

Cell: +27 (0)72 420 8751