Since the inception of the organization in 2000, the organization has been involved in HIV/AIDS programmes up till now. HIV/AIDS programmes are the organations main focus.
This project is currently implemented in Abura Asebu Kwamankese District (AAKD) and Cape Coast Municipality (CCM) and will be expanded to other district next based on funding we get next year. The project falls within the framework of Ghana National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan for 2006 – 2010.
The Passion for Life Project II started two years ago and has four main components.
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICE
People lack knowledge of exact VCT process and this makes them reluctant in taking the test. There is no health facility that offers VCT service in the district. This makes it difficult for people willing to know their sero-status.
The VCT is known to be the gateway to prevention and treatment and care services. Poverty has made it impossible for people within the District to have access to VCT services since they have to travel all the way to Cape Coast District/Regional Hospital for the test.
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an essential link between HIV prevention and HIV care and support. VCT promotes and sustains behavior change, and links with interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and prevent and treat tuberculosis (TB) and other opportunistic infections (OIs).
VCT also facilitates early referral to comprehensive clinical and community-based prevention, care and support services, including access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). VCT improves quality of life and may play a pivotal role in reducing stigma. The VCT will also help have database of PLWHA within the District.
Before we go to the community for testing, we go from community to community to educate/sensitise inhabitants on the importance of VCT. The role of the Education is to change people Behavior and Perceptions about the test. The role of the Behaviour Change Communication Education on VCT is to promote VCT services, and work on the underlying issues of stigma associated with voluntary counseling and testing.
Many people in Ghana understand that blood testing is involved in VCT, but they do not understand the specifics of what this test will prove. The project will also reduce peoples fear in taking the test. The test is free, there is no charge.
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CARE AND SUPPORT
Socio-cultural factors such as Stigma, Discrimination, and denial make the care and support for PLWHA a daunting challenge in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District. Prevailing belief systems about the causes of the epidemic also have complications for the reporting and management of the infection. For example people quickly associate HIV/AIDS infection with a promiscuous lifestyle but may not realise that their vulnerability is related to infidelities of their spouse or partner.
Stigma and Discrimination against people Living With HIV/AIDS prevent them to come out for any Care or Support. They also do not patronise MTCT programmes due to stigma and discrimination. They prefer seeking treatment from prayer camps, herbalist, and pharmacies or not at all. Because of this attitude they do not get any medical care. Those who are on the Antiretroviral drugs give up when the conditions improves. This has made it difficult to bring together the PLWHA’s for support
The project will train 20 Community Counselors and Care Givers to provide counseling and Home Based Care (HBC) for those who are Living With and Affected by HIV/AIDS. The introduction of the Home Based Care will also reduce isolation from family members and friends and help those infected to live positively With the virus.
Through the Care and Support, the project will bring PLWHA together as a support group. The project will help PLWHA’s to seek proper medical care for Opportunistic Infections (OI), disclose status to family members, Advocate for their rights, seek proper health care to prevent MTCT and to reduce stigma and self reliance. The project will also seek active involvement and participation of PLWHA in prevention outreach programmes.
The Care and Support for People Living With HIV/AIDS provides positive and enabling environment for PLWH’s.
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INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITY FOR PLWHA’s
The Care and support will provide a sustainable livelihood and Income Generating for PLWHA and those Affected by introducing them to mushroom farming. Mushroom production has been chosen as an income generating activity under this project because it very easy to cultivate and give rapid result. It also serves as a source of nutrients for those infected the family and the community as a whole. The market for mushroom is also ever-ready. The PLWHA’s will be given training and the mushroom production and basic equipment to start with. They will be group into three grouped and each groups will be given basic equipment like the mushroom structure, watering-can and 500 compost bag with the spowns.
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CONDOM PROMOTION
As part of the project, we want to make condom available in all the communities within the districts we work. The distribution points will be set-up in various vantage points like drinking bar and pubs, video centres, youth centres, markets places etc.
establishing Anti-AIDS and Reproductive clubs in Junior Secondary Schools and also in the communities.
GOALS / OBJECTIVES
The goal of this project is to build the capacity of youths in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District and Cape Coast Municipality through Behaviour Change Communication and Care and Support for People Living With and Affected by HIV/AIDS to reduce the further spread of HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVES:
- To mobilise the Youth to fully participate in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the Districts by establishing Anti-AIDS and Reproductive clubs in Junior Secondary Schools and also in the communities.
- To Train youth and health personals as Community Care Givers and Counselors to care for People Living and Affected by HIV/AIDS in their various communities.
- To make Voluntary Counseling and Testing services accessible in communities within the Districts
- To promote and make condoms available in the district.
- To provide sustainable Care and Support for People Living and Affected by HIV/AIDS
- To promote stigma reduction and advocacy efforts that build more enabling social environment for People Living With HIV/AIDS
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