According to a recent demographic survey, the Lake Victoria region of Kenya has some of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in the country.
AMREF believes that in order to reduce the number of infections and to effectively control HIV/AIDS, people have to be an active part of any health intervention targeting them. The name Maanisha, derived from the Kiswahili phrase ‘to give meaning to,’ here refers to the programme’s aim to add value to the communities’ own efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The activities are managed by community members who have come together to form community-based organisations (CBOs). Their activities include educating young people about prevention of HIV/AIDS and influencing their attitudes and behaviour. Some groups provide counselling and home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Others aim to encourage more people to know their HIV status by going for a test and changing people’s perceptions of the negative cultural beliefs and practices such as wife inheritance, which increase the risk of infection.
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has funded this programme since 2004.
Aims
- To increase the capacity of community based organisations which run HIV/AIDS projects in the region through providing them with grants and appropriate training and support
- To link local groups into strong networks of civil society organisations that share the same objectives.
Achievements
- Community-based organisations have improved the design and management of their HIV/AIDS activities
- The number of people using HIV/AIDS prevention and care services has increased
- There has been an improvement in the quality of care being given to people living with HIV/AIDS
- More people living with HIV/AIDS now have access to micro credit to enable them engage in small businesses to help increase their income and improve their livelihoods.