Executive summary
KICOSET in an acronym for Kilimanjaro Community Services Trust Fund. The organization actively contribute to a process of Preventing HIV infection, restoring hope and improving the quality of life of persons infected by HIV, families and communities affected by its impacts in Moshi Municipality. We have a Catchment area of three wards namely Karanga Longuo and Rau, which still have high HIV/AIDS prevalence. The reasons amongst being a number of high learning institutions receiving students with different back grounds from different parts within the country and outside.
The project being reported, is being supported by the Southern African Aids Trust Fund (SAT) as per the Partnership Agreement (CDC) contract NO.1079- 2011 period from February 2011 to September 2011.The report covers the number of clients reached over the past six months, types of support offered, approaches used in collaboration with other stakeholders, lessons learnt, achievement, challenges and way forward. Photos are incorporated in between for verification. We have arranged quarterly Basic Needs/food support to PLHIVs- focusing children/ Youth. Conducted One day mobilization and sensitization meeting for ward /mitaa leaders in our Catchment area. Five days Peer Education training for “Out of school youth “in Moshi Municipality held on the outskirts of the Moshi town. We also organized a two days TOT Peer Education Training for Primary school pupils, board members meeting, conducted One day mobilization and Sensitization meeting for Primary and Secondary school teachers, matrons and patrons on school Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention project.
Introduction
KICOSETs narrative report covers the implemented activities from February 2011 to July 2011 with project NO. TZA 1079-2011. The reported activities reflect work plans, achievements, challenges and future plans which will enable us to complete the scheduled activities or the uncompleted be attended as per the Annual Work plan. With the collaboration with other stakeholders, we will be able to attain our goals. Notwithstanding, SAT being our pillar support for our initiative, supporting community responses to HIV and AIDS in our region, a sum amount of Tshs 17,338,000 (say seventeen million three hundred and thirty eight thousand shilings Only) was received in mid April and found only a number of activities like peer education training and HBCs going on in their volunteerism attitude. Activities which could not be implemented due to financial constrain resumed immediately on receipt of the funds. We wholeheartedly thank SAT for their tirelessly efforts supporting our initiatives.
Activities implemented
- Bi-monthly Basic need /food support to PLHIV-Focusing children/youth
- Home based care services
- Conducted one day mobilization and sensitization meeting to 60 ward/mitaa leaders in Longuo, Karanga and Rau on community HIV/AIDS Prevention .
- Five days peer education training for 40 “out of school youth “in Moshi Municipality held in Pasua on the outskirts of the town
- Organizing two days TOT Peer education training session (July) for in school youth
- Conducting one day mobilization and sensitization meeting for 60 primary and secondary school teachers, board members, matrons, patrons on school youth HIV/AIDS Prevention
BACKGROUND.
The HIV/AIDS Spread and its great impacts to victims, families and the community at large continue to threaten and claim lives of people in Kilimanjaro region. The Kilimanjaro people are so proactive searching for prosperous life. However, its geographical location, good infrastructures and less economic opportunities have increased the chances for men, women and youths movement to towns and cities. Young girls and boys (youths) have turned to sex workers and Men sex men respectively. Drug abusers have terribly increased threatening lives of many youths becoming criminals. Youths were mobilized to be given peer education on sexual reproductive health, counseling, voluntary counseling and treatment of STDs through referrals, basics of HIV/AIDS and life skills
The southern African AIDS Trust (SAT) Made it possible for KICOSET to reach communities including children and youths infected by HIV/AIDS and also the support to the most vulnerable groups. Home Based Care education to families with the infected so that discrimination and stigma are stopped forth with.
MOBILIZATION AND SENSITIZATION MEETING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS
KICOSET Conducted a mobilization and sensitization meeting to local government leaders (40) on activities to be implemented in the whole project cycle as well as their involvement on clients identification and verification in their specific areas of leadership. The meeting started by giving a brief introduction about KICOSET establishment and registration, legal status, area of operation, activities implemented, KICOSET profile and activities to be implemented during project cycle. Participants to the meeting Understood about all project activities and designed an implementation plan that indicated the roles and responsibilities of both parties. The stakeholders and KICOSET team agreed that the local government leaders will mobilize project beneficiaries targeted on various activities in their areas of leadership in collaboration with KICOSET project Team. The meeting was conducted at YMCA on June 2011.
Lesson learnt
Local leaders if empowered can play a big role in project sustainability
MOBILIZATION AND SENSITIZATION MEETING FOR SCHOOLS HEADTEACHERS, PATRONS, MATRONS AND SCHOOLS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
KICOSET Organization through a permit from the Area education officer DEO was permitted to conduct the In school youth health education program in primary and secondary schools including the teachers, patrons, matrons, and school committee members Mobilization and Sensitization meeting. This meeting was conducted on July 2011 where by 60 participants fully participated in the meeting. This meeting took place at YMCA venue as from 9.am and was conducted on the following procedures.
The meeting aimed at involving school staff in youth projects. Most of youth are found in schools where teachers, patrons and matrons have enough time with them. School heads, HIV/AIDS school committee members and board members were also involved. The meeting came up with a collaboration plan on how to implement in school youth activities. Members of the meeting agreed on the formation of Ant- AIDS school clubs where suggested the activities to be performed in these clubs. Some of these activities are sports and games, presentations on issues relating to HIV/AIDS o update youth relevant facts about the disease and all other issues relating to HIV and AIDS, Debates and dialogues, question and answer sessions with prize giving, drama and songs. They also proposed to have youth radio programs in the local radio station around and study visits to organizations and institutions working with HIV/AIDS which are available locally for more knowledge not only on the disease but also to understand efforts available so far to deal with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The members of the meeting also requested KICOSET to plan for activities after school sessions, a time where it contribute much to engage youth into acts which are vulnerable to HIV infections like drug abuse, unsafe sexual relations, etc.
CONDOMS DISRTIBUTION AND DEMONSRATION CAMPAINGN (PEER EDUCATION)
For the period six months KICOSET peer educators conducted condoms distribution and demonstration campaign in high risk Youth hangouts within Moshi Municipality two Local volunteers were allocated twice a week to provide condoms education, demonstration and to distribute information, Education and Communication materials (IEC) to out of school youth for the purpose of promoting self reading on issues regarding sexual reproductive health, drugs and alcohol abuse and basics of HIV/AIDS.
During this campaign 4200 male and female condoms were distributed as well as 1200 brochures, leaflets and posters were distributed during outreach. Condoms distributed were received from public services international (PSI) and medical stores department (MSD) through Health department at district level.
Challenges observed during condoms outreach
The demand of condoms in guest houses, youth hangouts and Night Clubs is very high more than the condoms KICOSET is receiving from various sources.
BI- MONTHLY FOOD PROVISION TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS
For this program, KICOSET collaborated with ward executive officers, community development officers and ward health officers to identify and verify children and youth living with HIV/AIDS in Karanga, Longuo, Rau and Soweto wards. Food given to this target group was Rice, Beans and cooking oil and it was divided in equal ratios (quantity) to a total of 40 PLHAs of both gender received this food support from funds obtained for the Southern African Trust – Tanzania. This food provision is Ongoing activity
SUCCESS
A businessman based in Moshi town donated some amount of Three hundred thousands 300 000 Tsh to boost up the food support program to PLHAs. This support reached twenty four children/ youth living in vulnerable condition in our catchment area. There for a total number of sixty four clients received food support for that duration. For this food support program KICOSET is seeking funds from other sources to ensure its sustainability
PEER EDUCATION TRAINING AND OUTREACH MEETINGS
KICOSET Conducted a five days intensive training for 40 out of school youth. This training mainly spear headed on SRH issues, BASICS of HIV/AIDS, family planning, STDS, life skills, peer education, drugs and alcohol abuse. This training started on 11th June 2011 and ended on 15th 2011 at blue cat restaurant. It also consisted a presentation on how condoms can be used correctly and consistently. Condoms demonstration was done and participants to the workshop well understood the necessary steps to be adhered to:
The following topics were presented during the five days intensive training workshop
*Workshop on lessons planning
*Communication skills for peer educators
*myths and facts about HIV/AIDS
*HIV, STDS and behavior change.
*Risk activities
*Decision making and teen pregnancies
*How HIV is transmitted
*The difference between HIV and AIDS.
*How HIV affects the immune system.
*HIV presentation and condoms usage
*The bridge model for behavior change
Outreach meetings were also conducted in different areas of our catchment area. In collaboration with the local leaderds, KICOSET volunteers have been using ward meetings opportunity to address issues of HIV and AIDS for community to take initiatives towards the impact of HIV and AIDS as well as awareness campaigns on lifestyles which spread the disease. Multiple concurrent sexual partnership, alcoholism, and intergeneration sex are among issues which were addressed.
TOT TRANING FOR INSCHOOL YOUTH
KICOSET conducted a two days TOT Training for in school youth. 60participants (primary school pupils )attended the training including 4 teachers from the specific school selected (Karanga ,Longuo,J K Nyerere,and Rau primary schools)
Before the starting of the training, the participants were informed that the main objective of the TOT training was to acquire peer educators in the specific schools who will establish ANTIAIDS Youth clubs and continue to teach other youth who didn’t get the opportunity attending the training.
Training took place at J K Nyerere primary school from 30th to 31st June 2011 a total of 60 youth of both gender fully participated.
During the training, the following topics were presented
*Basics of HIV/AIDS
*Sexual reproductive health
*Sexually transmitted diseases
*HIV/AIDS and immune system
*Drugs and alcohol abuse
TOT training way forward
Trainees to establish ANT-AIDS Youth clubs in their specific schools and to start teaching other in school youth on topics presented during the training under the supervision of the school health coordinators who also attended the training sessions.
KICOSET will make regular visits in the schools during training session to be conducted by previously trained peer educators in the two days TOT Training for in school youth.
Lesson learnt
Children have a lot of true and false information on HIV and AIDS to be shared if friendly environment is surrounding them. They need friendly environment to speak out so as to build from what they know and correct their false information.
HOME BASED CARE SERVICES
KICOSET, through two HBC service providers for the period of last six months (February –July 2011) Conducted home based care services on prevention, counseling and providing services to bed-ridden PLHIVs in 2 wards namely Rau and Karanga Moshi-Municipality.
For this program the following number of people was reached.
Karanga ward 101 PLHIVs were reached though the targeted clients was 120 PLHIVs.
|
adults |
youth |
children |
total |
grand total |
||||
|
male |
female |
male |
female |
male |
female |
male |
female |
|
|
17 |
32 |
7 |
19 |
11 |
15 |
35 |
66 |
101 |
Challenges observed
- Due to lack of adequate number of HBC Volunteers, we were not able to reach a high number of populations regarding HBC Services provision to PLHVs in our catchment area comparing with past years.
- Due to KICOSET limited resources on food provision, the demand of the services at community level is very high more than we can afford
KICOSET BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KICOSET has a governing board of six directors appointed by the trustees depending on their titles, professions and also taking care of their geographical locations. The board amongst other duties is the overseer of all programs and activities done in our organization. The board meets three times in the year to discuss and deliberate upon issues and challenges forwarded to them by the management team especially on “sustainability of the organization. Efforts to find other donors is over emphasized. The first board meeting for this calendar year was held on 25th July 2011 due to lack of funds as our CDC agreement was late signed and funds released.
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
In our organization the management team is comprised of project coordinator, Assistance project coordinator, Accounts officer and the secretary. The team is responsible in identifying needs, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating KICOSET day to day programs. The management team is also responsible for planning and organizing resource mobilization activities internally and externally. We hold management meeting every month so that we find solutions to any obstacles or conflicts and settlement. We have four volunteers after the other twelve volunteers have been rejected purportedly for lack of funds. This has hampered the HBC and peer educator’s services greatly.
The remaining are two volunteers for HBC and two for peer education. We pray for this situation to be revisited, as a catchment area of three wards namely Longuo, Rau and Karanga is too huge for this number of volunteers
DETAILS ON THE IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
The general objective of the implemented activities on these six months and the ongoing activities are to ensure strengthened community response in the HIV/AIDS Programs we implement in the three wards namely Longuo ‘B’,Karanga and Rau.The census conducted in the year 2002 showed that is a population of 32121 people in these three wards.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The project has been monitored throughout by the project staff, coordinator and the program officer. Meetings were held in monthly bases to evaluate the ongoing program, analyze and resolve challenges. Through these meetings, data were well compiled into a monthly report.
Challenges
Services provided by KICOSET at grassroots levels are highly needed more than we can afford due to funds limitation.
Delay of funds which regularly alter our plan of action. The plan of action is made together with the stakeholders especially the community people whom we are working together. If failed to be implemented accordingly, the organization lose trust to the community and hence weakens community participation.
Inability to attract funding from other organization due to low skills in resource mobilization. SAT has been trying to offer these skills through SWW but due to limited time of five days, we have been getting too limited skills in this very important area in organization growth. The organization is still imaging as per the last assessment results of SOCAT in this area.
Other areas which seem to be a challenge in our organization growth are advocacy and networking the underpinning values. Some of the other areas are worked on as per our improvement plan. SAT promised as a study visit for advocacy and networking in ANET to capacitate us in this ares.
Achievements
Many youth have received correct and accurate information about HIV/AIDS
PLHAs have received support and care
Youth have been empowered to Eliminate HIV/AIDS
Local government leaders have provided support in identifying and verifying project target groups to benefit from project activities.
Good link between community members, beneficiaries and program activities.
We have managed to train “out of school youth “and in school youth in Moshi Municipality as peer educators
We have managed to conduct mobilization and sensitization meetings to 60 ward/mitaa leaders in Longuo, Karanga and Rau and 60 primary and secondary school teachers, board members, matrons, patrons on school youth and community HIV/AIDS Prevention.
In Organization capacity, according to our last SOCAT held on September 2011, we are matured in four area namely planning, monitoring and reporting, Governance and leadership, finance management and learning and sharing.
APPRECIATION
KICOSET would like to express its sincere gratitude to SAT – Tanzania for providing funds to implement the project
Local government leaders at ward level for their mutual support (Identifying and verifying project beneficiaries in their areas of leadership)Health department through medical stores department for providing free condoms to KICOSETEducation department for providing the permit to KICOSET which enable smooth implementation of the school based programsOther NGOs and CBOs at District level for their effective Networking and Collaboration