This study describes the work of the Choose to Care initiative of the Catholic Church in Southern Africa which began in 2000. It shows that effective scaling-up of programmes in the response to HIV does not necessarily have to be the expansion of a single central service. Working through the diocesan and parish system, coordinated by the AIDS Office Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and originally funded by the Catholic Mission Medical Board and other Catholic funding agencies, the Catholic Church scaled up service provision by the replication of smaller scale programmes rooted in and responsive to the needs expressed by local communities in this five-country area. This study shows that such an approach is effective when undertaken within common guidelines and given central support.
Introduction -- Overview of HIV in southern Africa -- Values underlying the Choose to Care initiative and their expression in day-to-day action -- The Choose to Care initiative in action: prevention, care,treatment and services for orphans and vulnerable children -- The Choose to Care initiative in action; advocacy, capacity building, theological reflection, and interfaith involvement -- Evaluating the Choose to Care initiative -- Choose to Care—strategic preparation for the Universal Access initiative.

75 p. : ill., tables

9291735469