The purpose of the Healthcare and Hope for Children Living with HIV/AIDS project is to improve the quality of life of 100 Children Living with HIV/AIDS (CLHA) at Faraja Home Care Centre in Morogoro, Tanzania through implementing the following objectives:
- improving access to basic health care;
- providing psychological support;
- improving access to basic education.
Basic healthcare for CLHA will be improved by provision of prophylaxis and treatment for opportunistic infections, food and micronutrient supplements, and linkage to government hospitals to receive antiretroviral therapy.
Psychological support will be provided through play, counselling and physiotherapy at Faraja Community Centre.
Access to basic education will be enhanced by provision of training to 25 Primary School Teachers and Education Officers to create a conducive environment for CLHA in schools, and support enrolment of CLHA in local primary schools and vocational training centres.
There will be improved health and nutritional care for 100 CLHA, which will boost their immune systems and reduce opportunistic diseases. At least 70 children of school going age will have access to education and there will be increased psychological support activities for children and their carers.
ACTIVITIES
- Prevent opportunistic diseases through provision of prophylaxis;
- Treat opportunistic diseases;
- Provide respite care to children;
- Provide food and micronutrient supplements;
- Strengthen immune system through provision of antiretroviral therapy
- Build children’s self esteem through play, counselling and physiotherapy;
- Hold carers and committee workshops;
- Conduct home visits for 100 children;
- Hold teachers’ and Education Officers workshop; and
- Place and pay school fees of children living with HIV/AIDS in primary schools.
TARGET GROUP AND NEEDS
It is estimated that 110,000 children (ages 0-14) in Tanzania were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005. The vast majority of HIV infections in children are transmitted from mother to child during birth. Other cases are transmitted through breastfeeding. In Morogoro, CLHA lack access to education, nutritious food and basic health care. CLHA are taken care of by older carers, usually grandmothers, who experience poverty, stigma and lack of knowledge in caring for infected sick children. Infected children who are lucky enough to attend school are further stigmatised by teachers and fellow pupils and hardly participate in any social activities at school or in the community. The project will support 100 children per year at Faraja Home Based Care Centre to relieve suffering and ensure they enjoy their childhood. |
