The South African Red Cross (SARCS) salutes clients of its HIV/Aids community home‑based care project, who are living meaningful lives on treatment, with an exhibition of photographs , which will be held from Friday 2 December 2005 to Tuesday 10 January 2006 at the Iziko Good Hope Gallery, The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town. 

The exhibition will be opened by SARCS’s president, Ms Mandisa Kalako‑Williams, on World Aids Day, Thursday 1 December.
 
The idea to highlight their dignity, courage and the joy they still experience, just as we all do, originated in the mind of British photographer David Chancellor, when he came to South Africa in 2004. 

He met some of the SARCS staff members, volunteers and clients who are involved in the home-based care project.  He was so moved by this experience that on his return to the United Kingdom, he offered his expertise to the British Red Cross to put together this photographic exhibition.

The British Red Cross and SARCS have a long-term relationship as they provide donor support for SARCS’s community home‑based care project. The British Red Cross is following the situation with regard to the accessing of anti‑retroviral treatment in South Africa with interest.

David and his assistant, Lisa Thompson, came to Cape Town in March 2005.  They met with role‑players in the health field to gain insight into the complexities surrounding access to treatment. 

SARCS made its volunteer caregivers and clients of the project available to David, who spent three months talking to them in their environment, capturing glimpses of their lives through memorable photographic images.
 
Collaboration between the two national societies and David Chancellor’s formidable artistic talent has culminated in this unique exhibition. 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the British Red Cross, Iziko Museums, Kodak, Metro Imaging and have also provided highly appreciated financial support.

By Estelle Neethling, South African Red Cross