THE AIDS RESOURCE CENTRE TEAM
Niki Bradshaw-Kuys (Director), on the left, works with various organisations and contributors to make the Aids Resource Centre an efficient public service.
In 2000 Niki became aware of the AIDS orphans in South Africa and knew she needed to do something to help. In 2001 she cycled across 5 countries of Africa to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and launched the ARC in 2002. It was Niki's involvement with many different organisations and people in 2001 which brought her to realise that although there were many non profit organisations with concerned individuals at the helm doing great work, there was very little the City of Cape Town or any City in South Africa was doing to enable those people who needed support to know where to go to get help.
She said "if I am struggling to find out which organisations are doing what then I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the man-in-the-street suffering with HIV or AIDS to get help”! She knew then that she wanted to help those people find the support, love and care they deserved. At the time there were 4 million people infected in SA and her goal was reach as many as possible by assiting them with referral support. Niki realised the numbers would be much greater than this knowing that if one member in the family is infected, it was likely many other family members were infected too!
The Cape Town map was launched in 2003, re-launched in 2005 with a database website and the Durban map launched in 2006.
The maps are currently seen in government clinics, hospitals, schools, social service offices, police stations, libraries, factories and businesses.
Past Achievements & Highlights
-Fundraising and upliftment of the Masikhulisane Creche in Philippi including building extensions, providing running costs and assisting with the process from relief/dependence to self-sustainability
-Tested, counselled and supported approx. 80 people per month at the Sea Point FREE testing centre from 2004-2009
- Launched of the I KNOW on site testing campaign in 2006 - tested 10 000 school-going adolescents and colleges students in a drive to challenge people to KNOW their HIV status
-Produced two Editions of the Cape Metro HIV/AIDS support referral wall map (2003 and 2005) indicating services for HIV positive people and those wanting to know where to go to be tested for HIV.
-Launched the Durban Metro HIV/AIDS support referral wall map in 2005. Both maps were distributed to all government clinics and other government departments as well as to businesses in the cities.
-Provided an information service linking the 'Man in the Street' suffering with HIV/AIDS with services they may need by means of a online database website www.askaidsmap.org.za
-Ran a Christmas Party of over 300 children and grannies affected by HIV in the Tafelsig area of Mitchells Plain
-Graveyard and Bush people projects - provided vulnerable and HIV positive people living in squatter conditions in the Maitland graveyard and bush in Mitchells Plain with food, clothing and prayer
In 2001 Niki participated in the World Vision cycle
relay through 5 countries to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS
