Concern's HIV&AIDS work in Mpigi District in Uganda
Friday, 1 December 2006
Uganda is a relatively small landlocked country in East-Central Africa with an estimated population of 22 million. Approximately one million of these are living with HIV/AIDS.
The estimated adult prevalence rate has shown a decline from 15% in the early 80's to 8% in the year 2000 and 6.1% in 2001.
Unfortunately recent statistics released from UNAids show that there is a resurgence in new infection rates.
Illness and death from HIV&AIDS have profoundly affected family well-being, including caregivers' ability to ensure adequate food and nutrition for the family.
HIV&AIDS orphans have become a growing and highly vulnerable group since the beginning of the epidemic it is estimated that more than 1.7 million children below the age of 15 have lost their mother or both parents.
Mpigi District
Mpigi District is located West of the capital city Kampala.
98% of its population live in rural areas, and subsistence agriculture is the major activity.
Low income, especially among people living with HIV&AIDS, youth and guardians is one of the main constraints people face in dealing with the effects of HIV&AIDS in this area.
The poverty experienced is not just a lack of money but also the inability to access basic needs, such as health care and health facilities, Voluntary Counselling and Testing services and education.
Gender inequity, human and legal rights, lack of access to drugs and education are among the problems that are a challenge to most communities.
Concern's HIV&AIDS work
Concern is working here to reduce the socio-economic effects of HIV&AIDS on the poorest community members in Mpigi District, by strengthening the capacity of Civil Society Organisations to address the needs of the poorest people infected and affected by HIV&AIDS.
This project provides training in organisational development to 10 partner Civil Society Organisations as well as resources, funds and materials to benefit the target group.
Concern Uganda has developed a community home based care model that will be adopted as a basis for home care training with partner organisations.
Legal education will be conducted and training will be given to para-legals to carry out legal awareness sessions within their respective areas.
Selected orphans and young people are being trained in vocational skills.
Vocational skills training will be offered in partnership with local artisans and this will enable trainees to be linked to these local artisans for support.
Affected people will be encouraged to form peer support and self help groups and 30 self-help groups of people living with AIDS, guardians and youth will receive support in form of training funds and materials.
Concern plans to target 141,020 people in five sub-counties with this project.
