Rutayuga JB, Mutakyahwa CF, Kidza M; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 491 (abstract no. Pub.D.1346).
UKIMWI Orphans Assistance-International, Washington, DC. Fax: (202) 332-2132.
Objective: The number of AIDS orphans grows much faster than all the assistance available. Reports from Kagera, for example, show more than 12 community-based and international NGOs assist only 47 percent of the orphans. Many people are still waiting for foreign NGOs to come to their succor. A sample of empowered communities in Tanzania and Uganda working in self-reliant fashion raise their orphans under UKIWMI Orphans Assistance (UOA) is given. Method: A. 1) Established communication mechanism; 2) Facilitated meetings at the grassroots: subject: orphans; 3) Action: Select leadership, 3 every village. 4) Involve other families and communities. 5) A Needs Assessment Study. The NAS results show production of food to take priority over many needs. Communities in Tanzania and Uganda have concentrated on food production. A sample of two communities/villages in Tanzania, and two in Uganda is given. B. Ownership, management, and control belong to participating families and communities. Results: A significant level of self-reliance has been achieved: I. UOA-T, (1994-95) with the Banana/Coffee Farm Based Orphans Support Project funded by the African Development Foundation (ADF) in Washington, DC, has produced in food: a total of 64.06 tons of coffee, $58,236 worth; 67.2 tons of beans of $30,545; 1.75 tons of corn of $795.50. Distributed 100 heifers to increase banana/coffee production. Also, education: a total of 25 children have been placed in 8 Secondary Schools There is also a remedial program for orphans, and a kindergarten program; A=Izigo Village Community has divided itself into six neighborhoods of: Buheza with 13 members planted 10 acres of sweet potatoes; Kitoma, 7 members, 7 acres of been and nuts; Bujunangoma community with 3 cultivated 1/2 acre of vegetables; Kyahima, 9 members have 6 plots of maize and beans; Rushanje with 7 members have 7 plots of yams, beans and nuts; Ruzinga 12 members have 10 planting 20 plots of various products including sweet potatoes, beans and nuts. B=Katoma Village Community (Nine Months of UOA-T Membership) engage in various activities including 1/Food production: cultivated 15 acres of sweet potatoes, 9 acres of jams, and several acres of beans and nuts; 2/ Housing: have repaired orphans' houses; 3/ Income generating activities: women's groups engage in tailoring, needle work, and basketry, 4/ Health: provided: started a traditional medicine clinic. II UOA-U: A=Kitala Village Community in Mpigi: have several departments including: 1/ Food: secured two milk cows to raise nutrition and health levels, paltry farming to produce eggs and meat, and produce coffee mixtures, 2/ Health: expanded local clinic to include traditional remedies, produce of traditional medicine drugs, 3/ Education: paid school fees for a number of orphansB=Luwero has three departments of: 1/ Food: production of various kinds of fruits: papaw, mango, sweet banana, pineapple, raise pigs for meat, and cultivate maize; 2/ Income generation: tailoring, a group of young female orphans operate a small hotel specializing in local dishes; 3/ Housing: construct and repair of orphans' and widow's houses. Conclusion: Families and communities have resources to provide minimum assistance to the growing number of orphans impaired by AIDS pandemic. A culture-based program is likely to succeed because it is sustainable and cost effective, although the capacity of these communities still needs outside support.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Africa
- Behavior
- Child
- Culture
- Family
- Family Characteristics
- Female
- Foster Home Care
- Health Behavior
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Humans
- Income
- Residence Characteristics
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Washington
- education
- ethnology
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102221683
From Meeting Abstracts