HOPE Chibombo-Chisamba Year Report 2014

Transcription

1 Development Aid from People to People HOPE Chibombo-Chisamba Year Report 2014 January to December To U-landshjelp fra Folk til Folk Norge

2 Name of Project: HOPE Chibombo- Chisamba Implementing Organization: Development Aid from People to People in Zambia Report period: January to December, 2014 INTRODUCTION The project goals are to improve livelihood for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and to reduce the spread of HIV. The project focuses on building the capacity of community groups working with people living with HIV/AIDS and OVCs such as support groups, women groups, OVC committees and home based care organization and provide training to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The project mobilized 1007 caregivers who carried out home visits to households caring for OVC. The caregivers other than offering direct support and information to the families they also made referrals linking people to health facilities when needed and were the first point of contact with the benefiting households. The project reached a total of 8,651 OVC and 3,025 PLHIV representing estimated 4,000 households (24,000 people). The project worked in Chibombo and Chisamba districts. Part of the district was managed by 3 sub-grantees namely Anglican, YMCA and Kachima. These three sub-grantees carried out the same type of activities as DAPP and was supervised and supported as well as capacitated by DAPP. PROJECT ACTIVITIES Objective 1 - Improved health and welfare for PLHIV and their families: The project managed to mobilise and build capacity in community structures such as support groups which were able to support families and friends, giving knowledge on how to care and support the home based care clients. Other activities included, rolling out of extended support in nutrition, counseling, making referrals, economic strengthening, small livestock, gardening and crop productions/management. In addition, the project conducted awareness in healthy living and wellbeing, promotion of healthy life styles and positive living including advocacy actions to PLHIV and couples, focusing on correct and consistence condom use. The trainings carried out led to information sharing among the community groups as well as practical demonstrations of lessons learnt, a key example are the cooking demonstrations carried out by the various groups. Other trainings included nutritional counseling, promotion and growing of Moringa trees and use of Moringa leaves as a food supplment to get its high nutritional content and other processed Moringa products including Moringa powder. The project distributed vegetable and Moringa seeds to 750 OVC households. Savings clubs: The project worked with 20 savings groups with a membership of 308 (270 females, and 38 males). During the year 2014, 17 savings groups managed to save a total amount of K276,106 and shared the dividends amongst themselves. These will eventually go 2

3 towards boosting up their incomes in the households. This has really helped the households, especially during the farming season to procure inputs and to increase their small business enterprises. The income has increased production among households. Savings groups received motivation from fellow group members who were successful in their productions; some have secured improved homes for their families. The extra income helps in the purchase of education material for children. Training groups in nutrition and food security: During the period under review, support groups, OVC and PLHIV were trained in improved cooking methods, and gardening to enhance food security and improve the quality of life. Cooking demonstrations were conducted; groups also learnt the benefits of having a balanced diet and the sources of vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates (energy) from local available foodstuff. Many other topics related to health were also covered. They also learnt about the importance of drinking plenty of clean water, and infant and young children feeding practices. These trainings covered a total of 25 out of 27 groups during the year The groups were provided with small amounts of seeds for garden demonstration plots and group members were encouraged to increase/start their private gardens. The project also carried out field and support visit to other groups. Caregivers training of PLHIV households including Prevention with positives: Positive Living Courses and interventions were offered to the groups as a way to improve the health and well-being of the People Living with HIV and AIDS. In 2014, the project trained 109 new members who joined the Support Groups in Positive Living. Nutrition is prioritized within groups to keep healthy, 327 people have been trained in nutritional foods through cooking demonstrations. Other families were trained by the care givers reaching a total of 1,008 people trained. Economic strengthening: 828 goats were procured to support 276 households keeping orphans and vulnerable children. Each of the households received 3 goats. The beneficiaries were selected by community caregivers in different wards, namely Mashikili, Keembe and Kalola. Upon receiving the goats, the project carried out training of beneficiaries in basic animal husbandry. Later, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, trainings were conducted to all benefiting households in the goat pass-on project. The training was aimed at equipping the participants with technical skills in small livestock management. The trainings were carried out in 10 venues with a total 197 female and 126 male participants. Community leaders, churches, local leaders, partners, community/primary caregivers, project leaders, and coordinators were all involved as key players to ensure the goat pass- on loan continues and sustainably improve economy of OVC families. Objective 2 - Reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS Youth Clubs and Out of School Youth Clubs: The project conducted life skills training to 25 youth clubs. Out of school youth groups performed very well, after being trained in their respective schools, youths have become pro- active in mobilizing themselves, taking a 3

4 leading role in implementing and taking decisions and actions; saving money and running viable businesses like chicken and goat layering and vegetable productions. The resource materials distributed included books in business, agriculture etc. to enable the youths yield positive results. The project reached 749 youths with HIV/AIDS related messages. Similarly, sports and theatre activities were used as a mode of information dissemination, e.g. ball games, drama/sketches, and debates. Trained youths are still training others as trainers of trainers. The youths participated in many health campaigns like the role back malaria and counseling and testing actions. Life skills for young people and out of school youth club is important. Young people need to learn and to be trained in life skills, entrepreneurship to get fully involved in social and economic development activities. Many clubs started vegetable gardens which are flourishing and are an example in the community. School programme - Action AIDS clubs: The project integrated life skills training in school Action AIDS clubs. The trained members trained and shared with others information on issues relating to stigma, safe sex and many HIV preventive measures. They used drama, songs and speeches to disseminate their messages. The club members get inspiration from their teachers and the project staffs who monitor them frequently. HIV Counseling and Testing: The project carried out mobile VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) in Chibombo and Chisamba catchment areas with the help of community counselors and counselors from the health centre. Counselling and testing have increased the awareness among the community members and subsequently knowing their own HIV status and seek further medical assessment when tested HIV positive. Condom distribution: During the period under review, the project conducted several HIV prevention and sensitisation meetings to PLHIV in households, to older OVCs and support group members. Condom education was integral part of the meetings, 198,544 condoms were distributed around 85 established condom outlets. Objective 3 - Mobilizing volunteers to take active part in the fight against HIV/AIDS Community Review Meeting: During the period under review, the project carried out initiatives to ensure participating families are in the forefront in implementing all the activities and feel the full ownership of the program. The project leadership and Community Caregivers are passionate about the program, understanding goals for the project and subsequently carry out activities in line with the 3 elements of HOPE which are Health, Opinion Forming and Outreach. The main issues discussed during review meetings include among others: Challenges experienced by community caregiver groups, support groups and savings groups during implementation of the income generating activities; 4

5 Challenges experienced by community caregivers during home visits and service delivery to OVC households, and PLHIV; Progress attained in the program implementation versus planned goals and making of catch up plans; Discussion on common areas of importance in taking care of OVC and PLHIV; Programming of Youth clubs meeting. The project conducted several meetings within the operational area reaching participating communities and families, to sensitize them in different topics. Key messages included those on gender based violence among women and children - where women and young girl s rights are being violated by society. Condom use as a preventive measure in HIV prevention, and family planning among communities was encouraged and the importance of knowing their HIV status as individuals and as couples. Issues of stigma reduction and discrimination among people living with HIV were included in community meetings. The project was very influential in many fields concerning issues and challenges faced by the community such as mobilizing leaders in taking an active role in HIV/AIDS preventive measures and equally leading by example. During community actions, community caregivers, support groups, youths, and women clubs were mobilized to reach out to community with information. Because of the sensitization which was done in the community, families are able to care for their sick and support with information others. They are also contributing to stigma reduction in communities towards HIV/AIDS as well as encouraging people to seek early screening for cervical cancer and the importance of male circumcision. The project engaged 1007 community caregivers in Chibombo/Chisamba, 334 PLHIV in 5 support groups in Chisamba and 15 support groups in Chibombo to take active part in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The project mobilized activists through community meetings, review meetings, national commemorations and campaigns. The project carried out opinion forming meetings during ART days at clinics through caregivers, during community meetings on issues of early marriages and male involvement in PMTCT and gender based violence etc. The project leadership together with the community caregivers in the operational area implemented monthly review meetings, and refresher training in household dialogue, monitoring and evaluation tools and many other capacity building courses. During the year, 610 caregivers were trained in various trainings. The caregivers played a very important role, with main focus on home visitation and support, making referrals for different services and collection of information on the wellbeing of the beneficiaries. 5

6 EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT Improved income, nutrition and health for people living with HIV and their families: As a result of the formation of savings groups, they have been able to increase the income levels. Others in addition received some vegetable seeds and are growing vegetables for improving their own nutrition as well as for sale. They are able to raise extra income from the sale of vegetables thereby improving the quality of life for their families. Increased care and support to people living with HIV: The community caregivers carried out household visit to OVC and PLHIV households to offer prevention, care and support. This has resulted in the increase of the knowledge base for the families with OVCs and people living positively so that they correctly adhere to treatment, are able to access health care when need arises and have improved their life styles through healthy eating and exercise. Increased awareness of HIV/AIDS in the communities: As a result of the increased awareness among community members with regard to HIV, many families have joined community support groups, engaged in small income generating ventures to better their living and are knowledgeable about where to go for various services regarding HIV and related interventions. Increased uptake of HIV prevention services: The response from members of the community during mobile counselling and testing is overwhelming. The environment is conducive among the community than previous years thanks to reduction in stigma and discrimination. Many people have taken a positive stance to accept their status and take appropriate steps after the VCT. Reduced spread of HIV through behaviour change, PMTCT and increased condom use: PLHIV in support groups are leading in sensitizing others and all pregnant mothers are requested to go with husband to antenatal. There is increased demand for condoms. Increased uptake of counselling, testing and PMTCT services: Due to availability of the VCT services brought to their homes, many people have taken a stance to test for HIV. Pregnant mothers who test positive even take a further step to enrol for PMTCT. Increased number of activists taking part in fighting HIV/AIDS: The caregivers, community youth groups, local and traditional leaders are actively engaged in the promotions and events to create awareness about HIV/AIDS. 6

7 ANNEX 1: OUTPUT TABLE Chibombo - Chisamba OUTPUTS FOR HOPE ZAMBIA 2014 Achieved Goal for Achieved Balance in % of the year total goal # of staff % #of activists and volunteers % # of people directly reached with activities including family members (estimated) ,000 34% # of OVCs in the programme % Objective One-Improved health and welfare for PLHIV and their families # PLHIV taking part in the programme # PLHIV trained in positive Living ( prevention with positives ) % # of PLHIV trained in nutrition and food security % # of households receiving goats as pass on loans # of savings groups % # of households benefiting from micro-finance % Objective Two - Reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS # of people tested for HIV and counselled % # of schools reached % # of out of school youth clubs % # of people reached with opinion forming actions % # of males referred for MC % # of Condoms Distributed % Objective three mobilising activists to fight HIV # of CATFs trained and connected % # of Support Groups % # of care giver activists % # of other activists % # of Service providers % Comments: The number of people to reach was over estimated which is a reason for not achieving the number of people reached as well as the number of OVC. The positive living training was carried out by care givers and only counted when a full package of Prevention with Positives were completed. However most elements related to positive living was included in training carried out for the members. This is illustrated with the number inserted showing that 3024 PLHIV were supported in various ways including psycho social support and economic strengthening. The project did not train Community AIDS Task Forces (CATF) as these did not exist in the area. Instead it concentrated on working with the caregivers. 7

8 ANNEX 2: PICTURE PAGES Resource mobilization in rural health centers Beneficiaries in a group photo after receiving clothes as gifts in kind for the families 8

9 Goat pass on loans Promotion in Moringa and pigeon peas growing for nutrition 9

10 Protection-Reaching out to the under- 5 with a supply of mosquito nets A project support visit to community care givers and refresher trainings 10

11 ANNEX 3 - SUCCESS STORIES Success story 1 Makufa is a member of Kapalu Support Group. He is 44 years old and married. He joined the Support Group in 2012 after testing positive for HIV. He was in denial and had self-stigma. He did not open up to his family about his HIV status and this made him to be lonely. Here is his story;- When I just joined a support group where I was trained in positive living for three months, I got the information which is so beneficial to me and helpful, he says. From that time I no longer live in self-denial nor did I stigmatize myself, I shared my HIV status with my close friends. Makufa also says from the DAPP HOPE PROGRAM he benefited vegetable seeds and started a garden which enabled him to sustain his living. He says in the group the members are also saving money together as a group in a SAVINGS GROUP. He explains; we are saving, this has helped me and my colleagues to live like others and I am able to take my children to school and also provide food for the family, Makufa is happy with the project as it is working to support and uplift the people s lives in the operational area. 11

12 Success story 2 My name is Getrude Mundondo, I live in Keembe, Mashikili ward. I am a widow and a mother of four children. The death of my husband left me helpless and this was indeed a very big gap to fill, I was left with children, with no resources to support them in education and I wondered about how I was going to survive. I was grieving, worrying and wondering what to do. I joined a support group and I felt relieved and started interacting with support group members who had gone through the same experience as me, the only difference is I found my fellow members very open and I got good lessons from them and good ideas to live positively which I accepted and started a new life. I also came to learn of other things like information on how to manage small businesses and I decided to start gardening and also increase my farming productions which have helped me so much in affording 3 meals per day and also earn extra income. With the extra income I raise, my children are attending school with enough school supplies and I am doing a goat business of buying and selling. This is keeping me well and I continue running the businesses with the knowledge that I have acquired. Finally I would like to thank DAPP for facilitating in various trainings of capacity building and making the communities understand their individual problems and coming up with possible solutions through well informed positions. I m one example, I took a good path, 1 m here living healthy and supporting my children. If I had not heard of the good information I would have probably caused my children to be double orphans and no one to support them. 12

13 ANNEX 4 - Other Documentations 13

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