Cederberg Matzikama Aids Network  (CMAN)

LED BY: Christiaan Oerson and Tanya Ludick

MAIN CHALLENGES FACED BY THE COMMUNITY: HIV/Aids, substance abuse, unemployment, poverty, teenage pregnancy.

MAIN ACTIVITIES: HIV/Aids programme; TB Dot programme, food security, community oriented care programme, labour, wellness centre, family support and child protection programmes.

The Cederberg Matzikama Aids Network is an established local development agency (LDA) with a health and wellbeing focus. The LDA changed its focus from being an Advice Office to focus on the Department of Health funded Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) Programme. The LDA has successfully managed to raise funds from Enel Green Power, the solar company operating in the area to establish a health clinic in Paleisheuwel. Paleisheuwel is about 48 km from Citrusdal and forms part of the surrounding area serviced by the LDA. This has come as a relief to the people from Paleisheuwel as they were forced to part with between R400.00-R500.00 to get to the nearest health services in Citrusdal. The LDA has also continued their work improving parenting skills in their community. They run fatherhood workshops for 15 fathers in Paleisheuwel. The LDA uses its expertise to support and mentor the Citrusdal Advice Office with paralegal services in the community.