I am running this in memory of my aunt (Lizzie) who was affected and ultimately lost her life to AIDS after contracting it through a blood transfusion a few years ago. John is kindly running to help support this noteworthy cause.

There is still a massive stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in many cultures and Africa is no exception. The SHM Foundation started up Project Khuluma which focuses on tackling mental health is a major global health challenge. Nearly 75% of the 450 million people worldwide with a mental illness live in the developing world, and 85% of these people have no access to treatment[1]. The social and economic costs are enormous.

The Khuluma platform leverages the power of small groups to facilitate interactive, closed support groups of 10 to 15 participants who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Currently live with 99 HIV positive adolescents, participants are able to communicate amongst themselves and with a facilitator and a mentor (an HIV positive adolescent who has been through Khuluma) via mobile phone about any topic that they deem important to discuss.

Given the immense challenge that there exists when it comes to mental health, the SHM Foundation decided to look at how we could develop a low cost and sustainable solutions. Khuluma was launched in late 2013 in South Africa through clinics in Pretoria and Cape Town and was set up specifically to address the mental health and wellbeing needs of HIV positive adolescents.