Because FMC's resources tend to be highly skilled people who are available for a relatively short period of time (two years or less), FMC seeks to use these people to equip other local Christian organisations with the skills and resources they need to be effective in their area of ministry. These organisations are involved in many aspects of HIV and AIDS ministry including income generation projects for those who have lost their jobs because of illness, gardening programmes to provide nutritious food, and home based care services for the sick. There are many organisations that FMC supports through capacity building but without a formal long-term commitment, these organisations are called associates. Examples of the associates that FMC works with are:

 

Some ways FMC has been involved:

• Through the placement of our skilled short-termers: we place nurses, occupational therapists and social workers in several HBC groups to work side-by-side with the local volunteers in a form of hands-on training. This training can include practical care, attentive listening, proper handling of patients, and counseling from a Christian perspective.
• Through channeling the specific funding of international friends: food is provided to different HBC groups to ensure patients receive at least one nutritious meal each week.
• Through maximizing the use of resources: most HBC volunteers walk from house to house visiting the patients. Travel time can exceed an hour between houses. When a key resource – like a nurse or counsellor – works with the volunteers, FMC will equip a short-termer with a vehicle to drive the group around thus making the best use of skills and time.

Otse, Income Generation Group

People often lose their jobs when they become HIV positive because of absence from work and/or employer's misconceptions. This resulting lack of income means people live in poverty relying on government provision like food baskets. In order to supplement this provision, and in an attempt to meet the family's basic needs, people can even be lead to engage in risky behaviors. One support group of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWAs), acknowledging this problem, began to work together toward financial independence. This group held workshops to learn various types of crafts which could enable them to set up a small business. So far, the group has learned knitting, sewing, fabric painting, gardening, quilting, mosaics and card- , doll- and jewelry- making. This introduction to such a diverse range of crafting skills will allow each group member to find the skill they enjoy most and in which they excel. These new skills have done more than generate income, they have brought the group members new confidence and a sense of purpose and hope.

Some ways FMC has been involved:

• Facilitated each workshop by engaging an instructor, acquiring the craft materials, and taking care of logistics.
• Guided the group in business planning by helping to find markets for the products, and handling pricing.
• Assisted the group in finding a permanent workshop and sourcing materials for on-going projects.