All of us, together—working to prevent the spread of AIDS by helping vulnerable people build self-sustaining communities. We cultivate local leadership, educate those most at risk, and share resources from around the world.

Highlights From SVH-Ugenya

SVH-Ugenya serves Nyanza Province's Siaya County, which has at least 3,000 AIDS orphans. The prevalence of HIV in that part of western Kenya is about 20 percent among the population of 330,000, most of whom are members of the Luo tribal culture.

In this area, poverty is severe. Women have become vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection, and this has given rise to high numbers of OVC. Also, wife inheritance, which contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS, is a common practice in the area.

Few local institutions ease the burdens of AIDS orphans, who face the stigma of being associated with the deadly disease. Many people living with HIV/AIDS do not know their HIV status, due to lack of education and awareness.

The Kenyan government has recognized the Village, formed in 2004, as an official Community-Based Organization. Ugenya aims to counter the effects of HIV/AIDS by providing essential services to OVC, and to ensure that the children remain HIV-negative or live positively with HIV.

As with all SVHs, the key elements of Ugenya’s program are love, food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, income generation, love, psycho-social encouragement, and hope.

The SVH seeks to strengthen existing community networks and to link with other stakeholders in economic development and AIDS prevention. Sustainability of the services is based on grassroots contributions of material, human, and technical resources.

For example, a local landowner has contributed four acres to the Village for development. On that site, construction has begun on a nursery that will provide meals and day care for orphans from child-headed households.

A work plan has been developed to plant an acre of bananas at our Rambula Farm site to generate income, enhance food security, and expand the opportunities of local growers. SVH members have also sold beans and maize to local schools, which serve them to students. In another effort to sustain the Village, SVH-Ugenya has acquired 10 beehives and trained four residents in beekeeping.

As of April 2007, SK is seeking a grant to improve local services by extending its “AIDS Barefoot Doctors” program to SVH-Ugenya.

Sponsoring orphans

The SI Sponsorship program directly supports eleven children here (see Sponsorship section), and we would love to see that number expanded.

 

 

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