$(document).ready(function() {
    var n = 1;
    var articlecount = $(".homeinitiatives article").length;
    function hideandshow() {
        if (n < articlecount - 1) {
            $('.homeinitiatives article#' + n).slideUp('slow');
            n++;
        } else {
            n = 1;
            $('.homeinitiatives article').fadeOut('fast');
            $('.homeinitiatives article').delay(200).fadeIn('slow');
        };
    };
    var timer;
    function repeat() {
        hideandshow();
        timer = setTimeout(repeat, 8000);
    };
    timer = setTimeout(repeat, 8000);
});