Kate Leeming visits HIV/AIDS community project in Zambia

Vegetable plot at the Chadiza project site

Kate Leeming is now more than three-quarters of the way through her epic 20,000km bicycle ride across Africa called Breaking the Cycle.

During her recent visit to Zambia, Kate visited a community that is part of a project working to help people living with HIV/AIDS. The project was funded by AusAID through Plan Australia between 2005 to 2009.

Kate spent time with community members who shared their stories of diagnosis, symptoms, therapy and how they maintained their livelihoods. A tour of the community’s vegetable gardens showed how practical solutions such as nutritional education and gardening techniques have contributed to improved health and wellbeing.

In her blog, Kate reflects on the openness of the community members, their willingness to share stories of their illness, and the support they offer each other in dealing with the difficulties of HIV/AIDS. She also explores the immense difficulties faced by Zambia in treating victims of the AIDS epidemic.

Thanks to Kate for sharing her story and photos from the visit.

Kate is expected to finish her journey on the coast of Somalia sometime in late August/early September.

Read Kate Leeming’s diary entry about her visit to Plan Zambia.
 
Find out more about Plan’s work in Zambia.

Check out the Victorian Department of Education’s Breaking the Cycle website and get  your school involved.