DECEMBER 01, 2003
World AIDS Day - Voices from the Front Lines
| Earlier this year, The Hunger Project launched its "HIV/AIDS and Gender Inequality" Workshop as the centerpiece of a campaign at all 61 epicenters across 6 nations of Africa designed to reach 100,000 people this year. Here is an update direct from the field. |
Message from Kataike Sarah Ndobole, Country Director, THP-Uganda
To realize development and steadfast growth of a nation requires healthy and highly motivated people.
Openness about HIV/AIDS and its relationship to gender inequality has been one of the virtues of the concerted efforts of The Hunger Project-Uganda. This has contributed to demystifying AIDS and given a face to AIDS. We have volunteer trainers who train communities at the grassroots level about HIV/AIDS and Gender inequality. There is mounting evidence that inroads are being made against the epidemic.
Our trainers have mobilized grassroots communities and have trained people with the guidance of the training manual which was translated in the local language.
Trainers are sensitizing the youth through school assemblies. They counsel the youth to change their behaviors in order to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Let's share the experience of Namusige Rashida, one of the trainers in Mpigi Epicenter. She says:
"Delivering
the message to the youth is not easy. You have to know how to package the whole
story in a simple language that will not scare the young ones. However, among
them, there are those students who are already in the age bracket of having
relationships, so we have to move and talk to them about the dangers of
HIV/AIDS. The children pose questions and they show understanding. They are
aware of the disease but ask so many questions about the spread of it. They are
happy to know how the condom is used though the young ones look irritated on the
face, but since it a crisis, I have to be firm and deliver the message. I am
confident that the trainings have helped them and I look forward to seeing
changes in their behaviors."
Our involvement in the health service delivery has an impact on HIV/AIDS and gender inequality because people access primary health care services through our Epicenter health units. All the people near our Epicenters have the privilege of walking shorter distances to get treatment. During the HIV/AIDS and Gender Inequality Workshops, we involve the health officers and give them copies of the training manual. They testify that the approach is good and has benefited the communities. Dickson Mason, the Officer in Charge of Mpigi Epicenter Health Unit, has this to share with us:
"The mobilized and sensitized people have come for treatment and always ask so many questions regarding the disease. Others have opened up to say they are sick and I give them special treatment. The youth and the old all come here and ask for free condoms, which I give them. Yet before, they have been shying away. I commend The Hunger Project to sensitize more people for awareness about the disease, treatment and prevention."
The Hunger Project Uganda has trained and given refresher courses to Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) since they are actively involved in health care in rural areas. We saw them at a high risk of being infected with HIV/AIDS plus they sensitize pregnant mothers about HIV/AIDS. One of the TBAs, Nassejje Sarah, confirmed this during the review workshop:
"Since
I got the training from The Hunger Project, I have insisted on conducting
deliveries with gloves to protect myself from fresh blood. I have also given
advice to mothers on how to care for themselves and their children and to feed
them well. I thank The Hunger Project for opening my eyes. I call upon my fellow
TBAs to follow whatever was taught to us in the trainings so that we save our
lives and other people's lives."
Ssebowa Cissy of Kiboga Epicenter is a talented trainer who composes songs and drama to deliver her message on HIV/AIDS. Her songs are so educative and the drama is informative. In every parish where she has staged this drama and the songs with the help of her group members, the message has been delivered. The local government chairperson commented this on one of her performances:
"I thank The Hunger Project for involving Cissy in the HIV program because who ever listens to her songs and watches the drama, she gets the message wholesomely. I encourage her to move to other areas and more especially in schools where the youth will also get the message about HIV/AIDS. Whoever has watched this drama has gotten something changed in his/her life. I believe no one will go back home the way she came here."
All in all, The Hunger Project-Uganda is witnessing a tremendous contribution towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are hopeful that with increased mobilization of our grassroots partners, they will definitely change their attitudes and make commitments that will lead to the end of oppression, marginalization and spread of HIV/AIDS at the grassroots.
Home