“My son, Kizza, dropped out of school a year and a half ago. He was sick and I spent sleepless nights nursing him. I didn’t know the cause of his sickness and expected him to die anytime.
A community health worker advised me to go for HIV testing. Kizza was HIV-positive. The health worker also encouraged me to join a family support group. I was so happy to meet other parents with children like Kizza. And he introduced me to a savings group. When it was my turn I bought a goat and some rabbits. They have had offspring, which really helps me financially. I feel much strengthened. Kizza is ten years old now. He is performing well at school. My son is still alive thanks to the community health worker.”
“If I had not been counselled by this community health worker my son would have died long ago.”
– Ms Mukansime
Invest in communities: health workers are the linking pin
Programmes are usually health facility-based which means they do not reach all children. Aidsfonds builds programmes on existing community structures. We train community health workers to be at the heart of the programmes. They link key figures like teachers, religious leaders, savings and support group members, and health facility staff. In this way, everyone works together to trace children with HIV and keep them in care. This approach connects to national-level strategies and partner initiatives, to ensure sustainability.
Communities trace children with HIV
Aidsfonds first introduced the Towards an AIDS Free Generation in Uganda (TAFU) programme in five districts of Uganda. Communities themselves trace HIV-exposed children. As a result, 1017 children and 1355 women accessed healthcare in the past two years, while 1008 people joined savings groups. The programme is now running in three more districts. In 2018, TAFU will be rolled-out to Zimbabwe and Kenia.
#Togetherwespeak
Friday November 16, activists and NGOs will be silent in solidarity with those who are silenced, as part of the ‘Together we speak’ campaign. In the run up Aidsfonds highlights stories of communities who fight for access to healthcare, including HIV treatment. This is the story of Kizza and his mum.
Our response to Dutch coalition agreement: reclaim leadership role in sexual health
Our response to Dutch coalition agreement: reclaim leadership role in sexual health
Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederland responds positively to the Dutch coalition agreement presented on Friday, January 30 by D66, VVD and CDA. In particular, the additional investments in international cooperation and the increased focus on prevention in healthcare are important steps forward. The organisation stresses that this is the moment for the government to reclaim the Netherlands’ leadership role in sexual health, both nationally and internationally.
Brussels Metro Campaign Calls on EU to Invest €800M in the Global Fund to Save Lives
Brussels Metro Campaign Calls on EU to Invest €800M in the Global Fund to Save Lives
This week, commuters across the Brussels metro are invited to reflect on the real-world impact of global health investment. A commitment from the European Commission of €800 million to the Global Fund could help save up to 1.2 million lives - roughly equivalent to the entire population of Brussels - making clear how vast and human the impact of this investment would be in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The campaign is led by Friends of the Global Fund Europe, ONE Campaign, Alliance for Public Health, Global Health Advocates, and Aidsfonds, as part of a broader joint appeal endorsed by 330 organisations across Europe and beyond. Together, they are calling on the European Commission to demonstrate leadership in global health by committing €800 million to the Global Fund ahead of its next Board meeting in February.
