India - CCFC and SHAPP Bridging the AIDS Gap in India
Nearly 60 per cent of the people living with HIV/AIDS come from rural areas. However, most prevention programs take place in urban centres targeting those considered to be at "high risk".
To bridge this gap, SEDP (Socio-Economic Development Program) - with support from CCFC - has initiated an HIV/AIDS prevention program, SHAPP (Sunderban HIV/AIDS Prevention Project).
The program hopes to help one million people in 136 villages in rural parts of Sunderban, in West Bengal, India.
SHAPP's goal is to reduce transmission of HIV/AIDS by reaching out to a variety of vulnerable groups (e.g. migrants, students, women, adolescents, fishermen) through behaviour change communication, suggesting abstinence, early and effective treatment of STI (sexually transmitted infection), condom use and the creation of enabling environments.
The project has achieved some remarkable breakthroughs to date:
- Developing an innovative communication strategy to provide villagers with information about HIV/AIDS.
- Providing access to state-of-the-art preventative services including STI treatment and counselling.
- Conducting research to find appropriate ways to integrate local cultural values and HIV/AIDS prevention education with various religious groups, including Christians, Hindus and Muslims.
- Organizing 80 counselling camps where a professional counsellor meets with clients and trains local staff in abstinence, prevention, STI, pre-test and post-test.
- Psychological support and counselling were given to people living with HIV/AIDS to maximize their quality of life and ensure special attention is paid to children affected by, or living with HIV/AIDS.
CCFC has, through SHAPP, made significant progress and developed new and innovative ways to reach some of the most marginalized segments of the Indian population, with vital and potentially lifesaving information and treatment.
Ghana - Innovative methods educate families about the importance of AIDS awareness
A crucial part of our HIV/AIDS strategy is to ensure that education is implemented at the school level to help increase knowledge, shape attitudes and behaviour and reduce transmission rates.
Education is a preventative approach that promotes abstinence, awareness, understanding, advocacy and nurturing.
Workshops:
Workshops are an effective way to promote leadership, strengthen community relationships, open the lines of communication, and shape a child's understanding of the seriousness of AIDS.
Workshops use non-traditional methods to promote the message - such as peer education, poetry and theatrical performances.
People are free to talk at these workshops. Discussions often focus on abstinence, HIV transmission, obstacles children face in regards to HIV/AIDS, and how to help those living with the disease.
Video presentations:
Testimonials from people living with HIV/AIDS are heard, drawing attention to the repercussions of the disease.
Medicinal treatment:
In addition to education, CCFC also supports the Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Ghana. Patients are supplied with mineral supplements and anti-retroviral drugs that help patients prolong their lives.
Burkina Faso - CCFC STUDY: AIDS orphans at greater risk for violence and sexual exploitation
CCFC in Burkina Faso, in collaboration with The National Secretariat of Catholic Education (SNEC), conducted a psychological and socio-medical evaluation of AIDS orphans.
Entitled Preliminary Study on the Situation of Orphans in Communities in the Zone of Intervention of CCFC 2004, the study's purpose was to find better ways to serve this vulnerable target group.
The results are being used to assess the emotional vulnerability of children and to set priorities for local action. Observations confirmed that children who are deprived of the guidance and protection of their primary caregivers are most vulnerable to health risks, violence, exploitation and discrimination, often sexual in nature. After losing parents and caregivers, children have an even greater need for stability, care and protection.
"Children often end up being the primary caregivers to parents dying of AIDS," says Sebastien Yougbare, Clinical Psychologist/Consultant. "During this time and especially if they become orphans, they fall into a spiral of anxiety, depression, emotional regression, guilt and even violent behaviour."
Feeling powerless and alone, orphans see no future for themselves. Yet, CCFC does see a future for these children - a future that offers hope, health and emotional well-being. With the continued financial and moral commitment of its partners and supporters, CCFC aims to promote psychosocial programs in CCFC-sponsored schools, provide spiritual guidance, train teachers on HIV/AIDS for the benefit of both parents and children at these schools, reinforce family support and promote food distribution; helping to ensure that these children reach their God-given potential.