New Programme

Isiolo Youth against Aids and Poverty(IYAP) is now ready to launch a new programme for Orphaned children in the central division, the project will be known as IYAP Early Child Development.
This will be a learning centre for children below six(6) yrs of age who are orpans and living their care givers. The organization has already selected the qualified children to start a project, six teachers will be employed to the project 3will start while other three are currently under orientation.. The children will also be provided with school uniform,bags, books,desks,lunch and neccessary needs if be.
The local community appreciated GRACE AFRICA through IYAP for effecting the course. ''waambieni tumeshukuru sana, huu ni usaidizi mkubwa kwetu'' said one of the caregivers. Meaning, tell them we have appreciated alot this is a great relief to us.
The center will take of in early january 2010. Hope to be updating you on this too.the photo beside shows the care givers meeting to bless IYAP and GRACE AFRICA for their support.

Still around!

To all our blog followers first we are sorry that its long since we updated our the blog, this due to many unavoidable circumstances. Anyway that doesn't mean that we've been doing nothing since our last report, we are back again....

THE HAND OF OUR GOVERMENT

Seven miles south of ISIOLO town is where we set our target on seeing 200-250 tested client in three days, the process was facilitated by IDASCO (Isiolo District AIDS & STI’s Coordinator).
It was on Friday morning when we made our usual morning rounds before setting off for the long awaited day. Most of the time IYAP tends to be taking the service without doing prior mobilization believing that every day is world AIDS day and any time with or without prior mobilization people should be ready to sacrifice their precious 30 to 35minutes for what will determine their future life.
We therefore arrived at “maili saba” well packed and ready for the day’s session, we were suddenly surrounded by curious wananchi who wanted to know what we are having for them, at first many associated the tent pitching with the famous polio campaign the onlookers were busy relating the government van we were using with the said campaign.
Compliments to our mobilizers whom within a very short period managed to pitch all the tents while others set the public address system despite the falling of rain. We then introduced our self to the village elder and area Chief who promised to support the course in mobilizing the community, little by little the clients then started booking in the flow then increased to be larger number despite our late coming and a short notice, this one of the interesting places with its style, it’s amazing since the clients were arguing on whom will be tested fast, such things are mostly seen when conducting Moon light services.
By the time of closure we have already attended 68 clients .This was good for the day’s target that was set to at least hit 70 and above clients per day, the second day we came a bit earlier than previous day but managed to test 62 clients, third day was the climax day where we counseled and tested 79 clients, bearing in mind that there are some counselors/counselor who is left to man the standalone site which was also performing at its best.

LESSON LEARNT
-With good cooperation you can achieve a lot.

CHALLENGES
-time extension due to the most of the community members whom mostly works as farmers who are busy preparing for this rainy season.

INTO THE HEART OF OUR VILLAGE!!

On 10/10/09 was a one special day when members of IYAP answered a call from a friend youth organization who are having a programme of initiating culture of peace in our society.
Thiz an ad-hock advantage and IYAP exactly knows how to utilize the opportunity.. Our few counselors and mobilizers arrived at the sight at 8:30 am and managed to erect all the tents and set the tents by 9:00am.
They didnt set tha public address system which are very powerful and may lead to disrupt the other ongoing proggramme, women groups, youths, and old guards were all there celebrating and chanting peace slogans.. In the proccess the mobilization team from IYAP did one to one mobilization. People started picking slowly gain confidence and after the test they also joined in mobilizing others. Thiz waz very encouraging since at tha end of the peace programme we set our public address system and people are still gathering along, dispite that we tested 42 new clients we also got an opportunity to give right and update information HIV and AIDS and collecting views from them.
All the 42 tested were negative this was very encouraging since we discussed on how to maintain that status and reffered for ongoing counseling. Bravo Bulla Bao village.

CHALLENGES:
-most of the married women didnt want to be tested there since it may create suspicious from their husbands.
-condom uptake was very low.
-loud music an curious people peeping through the tent as the session procceeds.

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE MONTH SEPTEMBER.

ISIOLO YOUTH AGAINST AIDS AND POVERTY In collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Health undertook the following activities:

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES WERE:-

• Taking counseling and testing services to three villages
• Community mobilization and sensitization.

Community mobilization;

The mobilization team visited the three villages to mobilize the locals to take advantage of mobile testing and counseling services which will be coming the following day to their village. This was done well and the outcome was satisfactory.

Mobilization;

This was carried out by use of different strategy such as :-

• Community involvement to air their views, questions and concerns which arose from stage drama.
• One to one.
• Use of public address system.


COUNSELLING AND TESTING.

The services of counseling and testing were taken to the different villages and the most important place was when we organized and took the service to the Administration police camp. This was done with the intention of targeting couples, here our timing wasn’t that successful since some minutes before our arrival the police were leaving the camp for an emergency duty caused by insecurity issue going on.

-In kambi juu we managed to test a convincing number of clients; this was so special since the women group that requested us to bring them the services tested 86%, while others promised to be tested later since they at that time claimed to be having an important duty to perform at home.
-At maendeleo and Total stage in town was so encouraging since the turn up was the highest number of clients realized after twice extending the mobile to moonlight service.

ACHIEVEMENT

• Majority of those reached were testing for the first time.
• For the client tested positive referrals were made to access early management of HIV.
• Some clients promised to completely change their behavior after knowledge of their status for the first time.
• 5 out of 6 mobiles process was supported by other donor on this month beside Liverpool.
• The service demand is rising up.

CHALLENGES

• Poor mode of transportation during outreach.
• Tension in community due to insecurity reason.
• Long chain of command in some learning institution.
• Unpredictable rain that sometimes fall suddenly cutting short the activity.




SUMMERY REPORT IN NUMBER.

Male counseled =314. Male tested =313(67%).
Female counseled =157. Female tested =157(33%).
Total clients counseled= 471. Total client Tested= 470(100%).
Total Client found positive =11. Total client tested negative=459.
Male tested positive = 4(0.85%).
Female tested positive =7(1.4%).
<25years =235 (49.8%).
>25years =236(50%)
Couples attended the service=13.
Discordant couples=0%
Clients given condoms= 46(9.7%), client referred =471(100%).
New clients=(100%).


OCTOBER WORKPLAN

DATE
9TH OCTOBER 2009 ACYIVITIES=COUNSELLING,TESTING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION RESPONSIBLE PERSON=AMINA ABDULLAHI,VENUE=COUNTY COUNCIL AREA
10TH OCTORBER 2009 ACYIVITIES=COUNSELLING AND TESTING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION RESPONSIBLE PERSON=KASSIM HASSAN,VENUE=TOWN
16TH OCTOBR 2009 ACYIVITIES=COUNSELLING AND TESTING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION RESPONSIBLE PERSON=HASSAN BORU, VENUE=SAFI ESTATE
17TH OCTOBER 2009 ACYIVITIES=COUNSELLING AND TESTING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION RESPONSIBLE PERSON=JAMAL IBRAHIM,VENUE=KIWANJANI
24TH OCTOBER 2009 ACYIVITIES=COUNSELLING AND TESTING AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION RESPONSIBLE PERSON=HUSSEIN MOHAMED,VENUE=BULA ARERA(shauri yako)

CHALLENGING THE CHALLENGE!

Since its inception IYAP has achieved alot, despite other challenges that went to an extent of threatening the organization and its programmes.
Some of the key challenges was first realised in the year 2003, three of our officials were arrested by police and spend two weeks in police custody charged with incitements,this was after mobilizing the local community in reclaiming back the public land namely "BARAZA PARK" swahili name meaning meeting bay.which was grabbed by the bigfish in town, for now the land has been given back to the community.
IYAP members have been working under the spirit of volunteerism for the good 7 and half years which made as vulnarable, after spending alot in training IYAP members were then poached away from us by other bigger organizations, this was abit confusing since as much as we wanted to count it blessing and strength to the organization, it also become an issue since they leave with all the capacity with them hence promotes some big gaps, other members travelled overseas in search of greener pastures.
The challenge never stop there IYAP has been Paying VCT rent for two years without donor funding using little cash got from hiring out public adress system during 2007 election campaign.
IYAP has extended its services to the nearest divisions, this was due to the request from the local community leaders residing there.
we then got an opportunity to perform an educative drama(play) touching on the issues affecting an AFRICAN youths, and young girls which moved her Excellency first lady LUCY KIBAKI,who in her speech ordered the area M.P and the District commisionner to provide us with a van to ease our activities and for the nobble course, which till today has been a beggers wish. eight and half now IYAP is still using donkeys and handcats as a means of transportation.. Which is not effective when focusing in best and fast services provision.

BACK ON TRACK!

It has been a very busy week for IYAP members whom, despite fasting and many other relegious responsibilities, achieved worthy things.

I think IYAP made great strides in reversing negative STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) indicators.

On the illicit businesses that were taking place in tha villages, they will soon be reduced, the area chief promised us.

During the past weeks the client turn up has been drastically rising,one of the influencing factors being great fear over condom safety. Most of the clients' fears are based on condoms, regardless of the type. This tells us how careful most people wants to be.

Up to now we have tested many but for more details you will need to check out our combined monthly summary report.

CHALLENGES
-clients have lost confidence in condoms.
-drug abuse and substance among the clients.
-heavy rain that cut our work short.
-weak tents unable to resist strong wind.
-using handcarts as means of transportation.