American Federation of Teachers and South African Teachers Unions
Launch HIV/AIDS Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The American Federation of Teachers and its union partners in South Africa—the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the National Professional Teachers’ Union of South Africa, the National Teachers’ Union and the South African Teachers’ Union—have launched a two-year project to address the alarmingly high rates of HIV/AIDS among that nation’s educators.  Almost 4,000 teachers in South Africa died of AIDS-related complications last year, and more than 12 percent of South African teachers are HIV positive. 

 "If this epidemic is to be halted, people must get the information they need to protect themselves, and those infected must have access to treatment.  Our project focuses on both aspects," said AFT President Edward J. McElroy. "The spread of HIV/AIDS is not an African problem, or an American problem.  It is a challenge to the entire human race." 

 Over the past three years, the AFT and its members have raised more than $185,000 to support union-led prevention and treatment efforts throughout sub-Saharan Africa.  More than 15,000 African teachers have participated in AFT-sponsored training courses.  Today, they have access to information and to a wide array of resources that will help them fight this deadly disease. 

 The project announced last week includes training on HIV/AIDS prevention by 7,500 representatives of South Africa’s teacher unions.  It aims to eliminate stigma in the workplace based on misinformation about the disease while promoting HIV prevention and healthy standards of living through education programs.  The project will encourage regular testing and treatment and provide anti-retroviral medications to 2,300 teachers and their spouses through private physicians who are members of the South Africa Medical Association.  The project is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and includes $1.9 million for training and $1.5 million to provide anti-retroviral treatments for those living with HIV. 

Those who participated in the announcement ceremony in South Africa earlier this month included Steven Coffman, U.S. Consul General in Johannesburg; Willie Madisha, President of the South Africa Democratic Teachers Union; Dr. Kgosi Letlape, President of the South Africa Medical Association; Marilyn Stewart, Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers; Renee Saunders of the Solidarity Center/South Africa; and Rose Mary Romano, Director of the Academy for Educational Development.

Tax-deductible contributions to the AFT-Africa AIDS Campaign should be sent to AFT Educational Foundation, 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC  20001.  Checks should be made out to the AFT Educational Foundation. 

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