October 3, 2007

Innovative Tools Combat Scarce Resources in Zimbabwe

Shortages of electricity and water have forced HIV-positive people in Zimbabwe to adopt innovative methods of working through the hardships.

Zimbabwe has the sixth-highest HIV prevalence in the world, at 18.1 percent. Basic services in many regions of the country have become scarce due to a lack of funding for things like importing chemicals to treat drinking water.

"Because of the high cost of electricity, erratic power supplies and the high cost of firewood, a large number of our clients living…with HIV/AIDS were having problems accessing warm food, until recently," said Peter Kamusiya of the AIDS Counseling Trust (ACT), an HIV/AIDS service organization.

ACT and other organizations have been working with HIV-positive people to develop innovative ways to survive with the limited supply of water and electricity. These include the “hay basket,” a simple basket insulated with hay that can cook food and keep it warm, as well as various water-saving gardening skills.