AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report – South Africa Oct. 22 – Oct. 25, 2012

The trip was undertaken by Ummuro Adano, a Senior Technical Advisor, Capacity Building, to support the development of a technical brief on Child and Youth Care Workers in South Africa. The brief aims to document the experience of South Africa in creating a new cadre of community-based social service workers, similar to community health workers, to address the needs of vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. The trip objectives included finalizing the inquiry tool, identifying key informants, and developing a list of potential reviewers. Ummuro met with Lucy Jamieson, a local consultant based at the Children's Institute, University of Cape Town, to discuss and agree on the inquiry tool and methodology for collecting data. The consultant also identified key informants, including Merle Alssop and Zeni Thomadoo, Director and Deputy Director of the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW), Alfred Harris, Child and Youth Care Workers Coordinator, Department of Social Development, and Francisco, Principal of LieleBlom House, a residential facility for troubled and neglected children. Ummuro assisted the consultant in meeting with and interviewing some of the key informants, including Merle Alssop and Zeni Thomadoo, Alfred Harris, and Francisco. The discussions focused on the inquiry tool, methodology, and approach for collecting data. A list of potential reviewers was also identified, including Merle and Zeni, as well as Dr. Tonya Thurman from Tulane University, who was proposed by Anita Sampson, USAID/Pretoria. The next steps following the trip included submitting a draft technical brief for review by Lucy Jamieson, the local consultant, by November 16, 2012, and circulating the draft brief to reviewers for comments by Ummuro on November 19, 2012. The report also lists key individuals contacted during the trip, including Lucy Jamieson, Alfred Harris, Francisco Cornelius, Eddie Thesen, Merle Alssop, and Zeni Thomadoo, along with their contact information and brief notes on interactions with each person. The AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report provides valuable insights into the development of a technical brief on Child and Youth Care Workers in South Africa, highlighting the importance of community-based social service workers in addressing the needs of vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. The report also underscores the need for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, including local consultants, key informants, and reviewers, to ensure the successful completion of the project.