History
About Mpilonhle
Mpilonhle is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to helping one of South Africa's poorest communities, Umkhanyakude District in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Mpilonhle focuses on health promotion and social development of youth, sponsoring mobile health units that visit rural schools to provide health education and HIV prevention services, HIV testing, curative services, and computer training.
Mpilonhle was registered with the South Africa Department of Social Welfare as a non-profit organization on 22 November 2006 (registration # 051-766-NPO), and its first staff was hired 1 January 2007. Initial support for Mpilonhle has come from Oprah's Angels Network, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the United States President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and AMD and the 50x15 initiative.
Mpilonhle was founded by a group of persons who recognized that although much is now being done for persons infected with HIV who have AIDS, much less progress has been achieved in preventing HIV infections. Adolescents are particularly at risk for HIV infection, yet are woefully uninformed about the risks and management of infection. Youth growing up in Umkhanyakude District have an almost 50% chance of becoming infected with HIV during their lifetime.
Mpilonhle's first 10 months were used to design the mobile health units, hire and train staff, and to do community outreach to the schools that it will work in. The first mobile unit, serving four schools, began providing services 1 October 2007. Two additional mobile units, which will provide services to an additional eight schools, will start operating in February 2008, with more units to follow.
“We are delighted that so many groups have come together to support Mpilonhle in its efforts to work with adolescents and schools in one of the most impoverished parts of South Africa, and help ensure a brighter future for all in the new South Africa”
Michael Bennish
Executive Director
Mpilonhle