In 2004, 5 million people become newly infected with HIV and more than 3 million people died from AIDS. By the end of 2004, an estimated 40 million people world and were living with HIV, close to 70 million People have been infected and it has become the fourth largest killer globally (UNAIDS, 2002, 2004) most people living with HIV/AIDS are believed to be between 15 – 24 years old and most of them are unaware that they carry the virus.
Support Organisation for Health and Development (SOHED) is a semi-urban project started by concern Ugandans to cater for the targeted slum children, mother and guardians, who are mostly widows with orphans residing in different slum around Kampala District.
Support Organisation for Health and Development (SOHED) come out with 3 major HIV/AIDS interventions
1. SOHED – Home Based Care programme.
Home Based Care Programme is mainly focusing on families affected by HIV/AIDS. The programme was initially developed for community based health services in Uganda and promoting effective compassionate care for persons living with HIV/ AIDS and the chronically ill. The principle of the training can has carried at home and within the community. SOHED has carried out various types of home care programmes that involve activities like;
Home missing and general health, supportive care counseling, maintaining good health and terminal care.
350 caretakers were trained in Home Based Care and the general Care given to the PLWA and chronically ill have greatly improved.
A social worker organizing food items for the affect and infected persons
2.HIV/AIDS Prevention through Music Dance and Drama competitions by primary school children.
On the 20th July 2006, SOHED held its first HIV/AIDS Music Dance and Drama competitions sponsored by inter religious council of Uganda. The ceremony was held at Church of God main Hall in Nakulabye Parish SOHED Project was presided over by the Executive Director Mr. Zimbe Moses. The theme of the competition was “HIV/AIDS Prevention and child Rights Protection”
The five schools that participated were led by Nakulabye Junior Schools which is headed by Mr. Zimbe Moses. The five schools were Nakulabye Junior School, Our Lady if Fatima P/S, Red Star Primary, Kasubi C/U and Church of Good P/S Dr. Makanga the District medical officer the chief guest appreciated the out standing performance of the children.
HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator Mr. Samuel Ssennyama urged the gathering take the serious messages portrayed by the children used to fight against HIV/AIDS, and STDs reducing the risks of their transmission.
With variety of programmes in place to address the diseases SOHED aims at having a society free of HIV / AIDS related infections.
Nakulabye Junior School on stage demonstration that a community had died of AIDS.
Nakulabye Junior School is located in Zone 5 of Nakulabye parish, one of the Kampala suburbs.
Nakulabye, one of the densely populated suburbs of Kampala City, is located 3Km North of Kampala City, and one of slums of Kampala. Administratively, Nakulabye is divided into 9 zones with a population of over 30,000 people distributed in the villages / zones.
The population of Nakulabye largely comprises of migrants that have moved from rural areas with the intention of increasing / improving their economic condition. Once achieved , the same group moves out of the community for better accommodation and socio-economic amenities. People come in search of employment and also displacement from civil wars etc. The main language of communication is Luganda, a local dialect in central Uganda.
Nakulabye has a relatively young population that is under employed and / or unemployed. Statistical data asserts that 51% of the population is less than 18 years.
The current situation of orphaned children in Nakulabye area is alarming and requires urgent attention . In Nakulabye Junior school, records for the past 2 years show that pupils who lost both parents to HIV / AIDS and are therefore total orphans are on the increase. Nakulabye Junior school is supporting about 200 orphans out of total of 512 children enrolled this year ( 2003)
Nakulabye Junior School has been supported by many generous friends and local community. The most out standing donors are Friends of ACET – Uganda and Support African Schools. So far they are supporting 160 orphans and vulnerable children in the school by providing with them with school fees, scholastic material and uniforms.
On top of that they bought a piece of land where they are going to construct a modern Primary school which will offer a quality and affordable education. The community is very appreciative with the Country Director ACET- Uganda.
3. Psychosocial Counseling.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has an enormous impact on SOHED project communities. The increasing rate of HIV infection affects the project children in nearly every aspect of lives.
The number of children living and affected with HIV/AIDS continues to grow daily.
SOHED Uganda trained psychosocial workers to back social workers in taking care of the social psychosocial needs such children and families.
E- MAIL : nakujus@yahoo.com
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