The roots of REds : a rationale for the support of educators affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic

The nature of educators’ work has changed dramatically, in part because of the challenges of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Despite these multiple and relentless challenges which educators contend with, and despite numerous calls for educator empowerment to cope with HIV -related challenges, little has been done up until now to support educators. By reviewing current literature, this article outlines the HIV-altered professional reality of South African educators and makes the argument that affected educators need support to cope. In conclusion, the support programme, Resilient Educators (REds), is introduced as one possible means of educator support.Die aard van onderwysers se werk het dramaties verander, deels as gevolg van die uitdagings van die MIV- en Vigspandemie. Ten spyte van hierdie veelvoudige en onverbiddelike uitdagings waarmee onderwysers gekonfronteer word, en ten spyte van die talle oproepe tot onderwyserbemagtiging om die MIV-verwante uitdagings die hoof te bied, is daar tot dusver min gedoen om onderwysers te ondersteun. Deur middel van ’n literatuuroorsig beskryf hierdie artikel die MIV-veranderde professionele werklikheid van Suid-Afrikaanse onderwysers en word daar geargumenteer dat geaffekteerde onderwysers ondersteuning nodig het om die situasie te hanteer. Gevolglik word die ondersteuningsprogram “Resilient Educators (REds)” voorgestel as moontlike wyse van onderwyserondersteuning