HIV CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
Health Care and Education Programs: Rusinga Island is one of the poorest areas in Kenya with over 50% of the population in extreme poverty. Besides, it is estimated that 34% of the population on the island has HIV/AIDS, one of the highest affected areas in Kenya and many parents have lost their lives leaving behind children and youths. Higher percentage of deaths in Rusinga is caused by HIV and AIDs, STIs and water borne related diseases. This makes orphan-hood at 75%. Most orphans and vulnerable children who are left behind are gifted but are neglected and face isolation and discrimination both in schools and in the community at large. Rusinga is an Island on Lake Victoria where fishing is the MAIN economic activity. The Island records the highest percentage of deaths caused by HIV/AIDS and STIs, and as a result many orphans and widows are left without means to survive and thrive. These vulnerable families (orphans and their widowed mothers/caretakers) move from beach to beach around the Island in search for fish to sell. Because of this movement, these vulnerable orphans drop out from schools with severely negative consequences: many resort to delinquent or criminal activities; for girls, the result is early marriage or premarital sex; both circumstances increase rates of ignorance, poverty and socio-economic insecurity. Worse, widows and young orphan girls moving through different fishing villages to buy and sell fish may need to use sex with fishermen in exchange for getting part of the daily catch. This dramatically increases HIV/AIDS infections and unwanted pregnancies on the Island. Combined with an overall poor health status and sanitation among these vulnerable groups, the circumstances become inescapable for the widows and orphans.
We organize and conduct trainings, capacity building, facilitation and sensitization meetings for children, youths, women at the Center, schools and gatherings. We offer:
We organize and conduct trainings, capacity building, facilitation and sensitization meetings for children, youths, women at the Center, schools and gatherings. We offer:
- HIV services Education: here we have reach out youth and women groups, schools, and churches within the Island. We do sensitization and education services
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: which target vulnerable girls who are facing socio-economic challenges. Last year, this program received its first in-kind donation from Kelly Makino and our friends - the RIFT Faculty and Students who donated sanitary and hygiene materials. These donations plus some contribution from members, were provided to over 50 girls from various public schools which were the major beneficiaries. Most of these girls are from child-headed families where they are the bread winners of these orphan kids before us. It’s evident that this initiative has enabled these girls consistently concentrate in schools for learning and as a result, improved academic performance.
