HIV/AIDs mitigation and prevention; Health and Hygeine projects
HIV/AIDS presents a major challenge to the individual and to the collective well-being and security of people in Malawi. Malawi’s review of the HIV/AIDS control programme led to the formulation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework for the period of 2000 to 2004, emphasising the need for an expanded and multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS and incorporating care, support and impact mitigation as integral parts of the response. Chimwemwe’s programmes reflect these priorities, working together with other stakeholders, to protect the vulnerable and marginalised, and to reduce the impact of the epidemic on their lives.
Chimwemwe will carry out the following activities in the eastern and southern part of Malawi in order to curb the impact of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable children.
HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
- Conduct HIV/AIDS awareness life-skills lessons at least once a month and invite other organizations with expertise to train the children
- Carry out sensitization/awareness campaigns though quarterly focus group discussions
- Conduct life skills training sessions for the youth including promotion of safe sex practices
- Conduct training sessions to 20 youth friendly service providers
- Carry out 2 sensitization meetings to 100 people in the regions where most children on the streets come from
- Provide individual and group counselling sessions on HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS and heath care
- Encourage youths and children though their parents’/guardians’ consent to undergo HIV testing
- Provide children with basic first-aid treatment
- Identify children suffering from serious sickness and accompany these children to hospital
- Supplement children and family diets through hunger periods with multi-vitamins
- Organize for a doctor to carry out a health clinic to provide all children with the opportunity for a check-up and identify recurring issues for attention, including dental services
Hygiene education support
- Carry out basic hygiene and health training both through everyday activities and life-skills sessions so that children are well versed with information on protection
- Help children to access adequate washing facilities for themselves and their clothes to have good healthy bodies and good fitness
- Counsel families of children who have been reintegrated to their family and/or community on health and hygiene issues to improve their well-being
Supplementary and life-skills education
- Carry out life-skills and basic literacy lessons at least twice a week, based on needs identified with the children such as child rights and responsibilities, HIV/AIDS awareness, health and hygiene, planning and time management
- Set a study room within the centre to contain books with information on life-skills, child-rights and advocacy