Photographs bring KZN’s human stories of TB and HIV home

17 May 2010

Thando Cele points out one of his photographs and stories at the TB Photovoice launch in KZN

A young man in a tie and a smart school uniform looks out from a photograph. The story next to the photograph explains that he has lost a guardian from HIV/AIDS, but remains focussed on completing his education to secure a future for himself. This photograph and story were part of the launch of the Photovoice Project in the Sisonke District of KwaZulu-Natal on the 11th of May, that touched the hearts of Department of Health dignitaries and community members.

Thirty photographs taken by people involved in the fight against TB and HIV were exhibited at an evening reception held at King’s Grant Country Retreat in Ixopo to launch this photographic and story-telling project.
Since February this year, 10 volunteers from the Sisonke Health District issued with disposable cameras have been finding and recording stories that they felt best express important issues surrounding TB and HIV. The project aims to empower both the individuals involved as well as the communities they come from, by giving them a public platform to identify challenges and successes in their communities and propose solutions.

The photographs were displayed alongside written stories at the launch where decision-makers from the National, Provincial and District Departments of Health as well as representatives from the Centres of Disease Control (CDC) were present.

TB/HIV Care Association Sisonke Site Manager, Jenny McLaughlin welcomed all the guests and dignitaries who were there to witness the extraordinary exhibition. She also thanked the 10 participants for their commitment and courage in the project.

Prof. Harry Hausler, the Director of TB/HIV Care Association, explained why this project was undertaken, “One of the most powerful aspects of this project is the way it brings home the lived experience of these diseases and the real impacts they have on communities. TB Photovoice can be very effective at conveying issues right into the hearts of decision-makers.” It is also hoped that being faced with particular, local stories in familiar settings will have more of an impact in raising awareness of these diseases in the surrounding community than mere statistics and facts.

One of the participants Keswick Nyawose, shared his experience of going out to the community and involving them in the project. “It was easier for the community to talk about their experiences and stories to us because we are part of the same community”, said Nyawose. He also expressed his honour to be part of this project and to be able to stand in front of everybody to share the stories he had found.

Some of the invited dignitaries were so moved by the photographs and stories that they asked to take some of the photographs home, and the Sisonke District Department of Health requested that the photographs be exhibited at Lourdes at the launch of their local HIV counselling and testing campaign.

In June, the stories and photographs travelled to the 2nd TB Conference in Durban and will receive further exposure on the TB/HIV Care Association website. The KZN TB Photovoice Project has been launched successfully, and it is hoped that some of the positive changes it has already brought about in the lives of some of the people photographed will continue and grow.

Sources:
TB/HIV Care Association, tel: 021 425 0050, email: alison@tbhivcare.org