Background
HIV/AIDS programs have been narrowly focused on the health in the refugee camps. Formal responses seldom reach or provide appropriate support to the refugee community, and communities are seldom able to access formal support. It is vital to establish direct access, so that communities can participate fully in prevention, care and mitigation.

Project
STOP SIDA “NKEBURE UWUNVA” is a refugee community based organization devoted to fight against HIV/AIDS. It was established in 2001 in Kanembwa Refugee camp Western Tanzania. It started as a group of 51 members with the mission of bridging the gaps in fighting against HIV/AIDS. The gaps included low refugee community involvement and participation, perception that fighting against HIV/AIDS is a concern of health sectors and health staff only. Today STOP SIDA is playing a great role in fighting against HIV/AIDS in four out of five camps in Kibondo. STOP SIDA is responsible for awareness rising, through peer parents, peer youth groups, and PLHAS. Some of the activities include Mass campaigns, Regular concert sessions, workshops/Training, and participatory community theatre choir and community mobilization through the support from TCRS. Moreover regular home visits to PLHAS and Orphans are conducted twice a week in every camp. All activities are conducted on voluntary basis.

Results
The number of STOP SIDA members has been increasing yearly and 80% of all camps have been reached. By December 2004, a total of 1,020 members have joined the organization. 460 peer educators have been trained. Furthermore a total of 48 PLHAS have come up openly and declare their HIV status publicly through STOP SIDA. A total of 47 Orphans have been identified and registered for assistance and support. Two mass campaigns using popular role models have been conducted and this resulted into increased number of PLWHAS coming up openly from 18 in 2003 up to 50 by December 2004. The number of people attending VCT services increased twice as much. Also the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge is at 80% (Ref. HIV/AIDS KAP survey Prof. Ngugi, January 2004)

Conclusion
The scale of HIV/AIDS crisis necessitates the widest possible community involvement. Only through the fullest possible community involvement can HIV/AIDS responses of sufficient intensity, scope and coverage be maintained.

By Herman. B. Tirwosha

This entry was posted on Friday, April 1st, 2005 at 6:08 pm and is filed under English, Stop Sida. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.