Introduction

Information regarding HIV-prevalence, distribution and service delivery information for municipal areas is scarce. This project has been initiated based on the philosophy that an effective response to the HIV epidemic requires a coordinated mobilization of all resources in a specific community. In order to better address the HIV and AIDS response within this municipal area, it is integral to have a coordinated approach that includes accurate mapping of all service providers, annual epidemiological quantification of the service delivery need, and accurate service provision information. This information can assist organisations; service providers, government and private sector to better address the HIV and AIDS issues within this community.

Visit Us: http://www.compassproject.co.za/

Goals of the Project

The primary reason for this mapping project to be launched is to ascertain:

1. What is the epidemiological situation of HIV and AIDS in the Tshwane municipal area at this time?
2. What are the service needs of the HIV and AIDS community in the Tshwane municipal area?
3. What is the current level of community services being provided by any service provider active in the Tshwane municipal area?

Key Elements of the Project

1. Creation of an HIV and AIDS Mapping Centre to achieve accurate epidemiological data for the municipal region, provide details on HIV and AIDS services/organisations and a GIS mapping component of the services/organisations.
   
2. Information and Resource Provision through a physical information centre for HIV and AIDS services/organisations, website, creation of a community service directory, an annual report on the status of HIV in Tshwane and an annual information session for all stakeholders.
   
3. An HIV in the Workplace Support Program will utilize the community service directory, provide HIV in the workplace workshops and potentially identify alternative user-friendly access routed to the community service directory.
   
4. Organisational Development and Capacity Building through organisational needs assessments and self-analysis toolkits for community organisations and service providers. Also opportunities to participate in organisational development programming to assist organisations to build their capacities in the longer term.
   
5. Sustainability and Strategic Planning will round out this project to ensure that the project will continue to deliver through building a clear ‘way forward’ based on lessons learned in this project, as well as delving into Corporate Social Responsibility.