Stephen Lewis Foundation

 

Since 2008, WOLREC has been implementing a project titled “Enhancing the capacity of people living with HIV/AIDS and community members in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in Salima District” targeting 310 beneficiaries (208 females, 102 males).

 

The project is guided by the following objectives:

• To support economic empowerment and financial literacy of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWAs) and community volunteers

• To improve the health and nutrition status of people living with AIDS through the production of nutritious food and provision of drugs.

• To empower PLWA and community volunteers in agricultural practices in order to create food security and sustainable income generating activities in Salima

Some of the achievements of the project are:

• PLWAs and community members have increased knowledge on HIV/AIDS such as transmission and treatment.

• PLWAs have been empowered to demand for services from duty bearers

• More recognition by community members of the rights that PLWAS have. PLWAs are now being involved in developmental work such as food for work or money for work. At the inception of the project, it had been reported that PLWAs would not be allowed to benefit from such programmes because they were being regarded as weak.

• Reduced risk to personal health since most people are now taking drugs after taking the porridge that we buy for them. It should be noted that most of the PLWAs we are working with, do not attain food sufficiency. As a result, they used to take ARV drugs even without eating food. This put their personal health at risk. This situation improved as they used to receive food supplements from the project. PLWAs have also been empowered to cultivate crops using modern agricultural practices. They use the produce to make nutritious food items for themselves. Furthermore, PLWAs have established individual kitchen gardens where they grow vegetables to supplement their daily nutritional intake.

• There is reduced stigma and discrimination towards PLWAs.

• More and more community members are going for VCT

• There are more linkages created with government health institutions that are able to provide advice and support where necessary.

More PLWAs are now participating in Village Savings and Loans where they save and lend to each other. With the loans they are getting from the groups, they are able to engage in small scale businesses like grocery shops etc.