Change starts with awareness 

HIV is rapidly spreading within the population of Uganda. The people suffering from this disease need care and treatment. But to change this country’s fate, Uganda needs so much more than care, alone. 

Our HIV and AIDS programs provide three levels of support: care and treatment, psychosocial support and prevention education. Our volunteers go into homes in 50 communities throughout Uganda to care for bedridden patients. To date, we have provided basic care services to 824 patients. Our services also enable young patients living with HIV to remain in school throughout the year.

“My training allows me to write letters to specialized HIV and AIDS care centers to refer my patients who need additional assistance.” – Charles, who in addition to being a father to nine children and four of his nieces and nephews, volunteers to help people in his community suffering from AIDS.

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HIV/AIDS is not the only disease afflicting the people of Uganda. Malaria is also a major concern. Our malaria prevention program teaches children how to prevent and control the disease, including providing treated bed nets to families. The children who have participated in this program say they can now pass on the information they have acquired to their families.

Using our community-based structures, we help the Ministry of Health encourage families to immunize their children. In addition, we conduct water and sanitation campaigns to promote better sanitation in Uganda as well as the use of safe, clean water. We provide pit latrines to families. In communities such as Buwenge, the percentage of families with pit latrines has increased from 43 to 95 percent. And in select communities, new water systems have been implemented with community health workers and staff monitoring these systems.

Fulfilling more than basic needs

Our Early Childhood Care Development programs teach parents that children need more than shelter, food and clothing. We help parents learn how to stimulate their children’s development. While our seven childcare centers in the Wakiso and Kampala districts provide children with nutritious meals and monitor their growth, they also encourage parents to volunteer in the centers to reinforce healthy child care practices at home. Child care workers regularly check in with parents and children to ensure that children are receiving the best care and families living in urban areas are taught about the nutritional value of specific foods, including how to grow home gardens to feed their children.

To support sustainable livelihood development in this country, vocational apprenticeships are available to school dropouts, youth affected by HIV and AIDS, youth-headed families and disabled youth in the fields of carpentry, masonry, metal crafts and mechanics. Other courses include record and bookkeeping, business planning, budgeting, money management and marketing – all skills that will help youth support their families.

Help us help the people of Uganda – especially the children – escape the deadly clutches of HIV/AIDS and live healthy, happy lives.