NO SPACE FOR STIGMA NOW!

it's soo amazing that now the world has become a global village with this high technology and some of the story shared are so familiar. am also working with a Youth organization called IYAP in Kenya in a muslim dominated area working with alot of issue pertaining HIV and AIDS, some times the issues that an HIV person goes through can even affect you as a service provider/counselor or person concerned. anyway let bring the sense to the world that the years of stigma and discrimination is long gone bearing in mind that every one is HIV positive until Tested and proved otherwise! also the world should know that getting HIV don't need anyone's application and has nothing to do with immorality and promiscuity. thanks from Isiolo Kenya, lets fight HIV and NOT the people living with HIV.

AMREF Maanisha, REALY Means!

As usual IYAP- HCT PROVIDERS found them self in the middle of isiolo stadium carrying out the usual DAY LIGHT and MOON LIGHT services which was organised and facilitated by IYAP . The activities were carried out as per our work plan with AMREF (MAANISHA) fund which was clearly targeting COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS, LONG TRUCK DRIVERS,BAR MAIDS and MIRAA DWELLERS. As IYAP counsellors went on with HIV counselling and testing others decided to take responsibility and made mobilization by entertaining the crowd and also feeding them with vital information on HIV and AIDS.
The session was well despite some usual ups and downs e.g disturbance from, street children making alot of noise while the session goes on,drunkards who demands to be tested under influence, strong winds that almost carry away our small testing tents.

IYAP wants to acknowledge the support from maanisha which has been one of the leading and credible organizations in bringing the real change to this community..
The number of client seen and attended to were convincing hence declared the activity productive. Bravo! Maanisha bravo IYAP!

THE KITCHEN GARDEN

It is estimated that 100% of the land in the pastoral region of Kenya falls into the low production potential category with low population density. Coupled with this is climatic condition that is highly limiting on agricultural productions. Diseases and poor health conditions are prominent features of this region that is also regarded as to factors challenging IYAPs effort in reducing relief relience by the local communities living in Isiolo, indeed, there is HIV/AIDS prevalence among the pastoral communities and AIDS is one of the leading cause of death in the area.
Furthermore, caught in the endless food insecurity and poverty the entire population of Isiolo district is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. The families in the district are in poor health conditions and HIV/AIDS prevalence among the population is estimated at around 11% of the population. Who are HIV/AIDS clients? IYAP is trying to come up with some options for the school caregivers through a kitchen garden projects for the small farmer who have some portions of land along the river banks while others rent little lands on degraded soils, the pastoralist were neglected for many years,the urban poor lives with few livelihood options and opportunities.this projects which was pioneered by GRACE AFRICA was of great assistance for them before the drougt strikes the region, Also they are women who disproportionately produce food on substance level and the children for whom HIV/AIDS and hunger means lasting and permanent physical and cognitive damages.
the picture show the community practicing farming at IYAP ECD gardens before all their crops perished by the sudden drought.
IYAP is looking for the way forward to a longing solution.

THE BUSKET OF FRUITS!!!!

Special kids needs special attention, since the inception of the ECD-Programme IYAP has been lucky to attract local and international visitors, this is a blessings and a symbol of care and love according to most of the AFRICAN culture, dispite the great nutritional support from GRACE AFRICA the two volunteers from GERMANY one Rudolf Steiner institute Kassel , decided to put a smile on the face of this little kids by taking responsibility and stage a series of presentation about the school with the aim of mobilizing resources(funds) to add an extra step in supporting the purchase of the fruits for this little angels to grow healthy and take a lead in future, the fruits being enriched with many important vitamins, is indispensable for anumber of vital activities within the children’s body,beside being loved for their delightful tase. So this assistance will assures theres crutial growth and good development, again as an organization that is very sensitive on the health issues, the fruit provides vitamin A and B5 which not only help our bone and teeth grow strong but also stimulates immune system.. this is mostly found in oranges/water melons amongst other fruits, also banana for vitamin B1 which converse carbohydrates into energy and B3 for smooth growing and operation of digestive and nervous system, and healthy skin for children.
For this and more reasons IYAP want to acknowledge the organizers Magdalena Pfirrmann and Almut Slezak for this noble course with the school video set from Christian Slezak,also Klaus Ulex,Marcus stettner and many other citizens who joined their hands in support of this school.
May u live to achieve all your desired dreams....... feel loved.

IN ISIOLO SOUTH

it has been our dream and wish to be in this part of isiolo, if not thrice then twice every year,then we had a clear opportunity after our site incharge received a phone call that invited us for a four days mobile services by a very hard working GIRISA WOMEN GROUP who benifitted from TOWA,NACC FUND(Total War Against AIDS, the journey was abit tidious and scaring driving through bushy,dusty and rough road. most of all the road is prone to banditary attacks since kenya got its indipendence..
on our way we experienced,two punctures hence had to stop and relax as the driver and his crews fix the tires,
In the process me and my three coligues pauseD some questions to some old guards taravelling with us on their take on testing and counseling, this was so interesting since some guys thought that HIV is just a myth and no one ever died of it! this gave us un opportunity for debate which brought some sense after long discussion.. by arriving at our destination we visited a video place where the host had already organised for a meeting, we then converse on Behavior Change Communication with around 20 to 25 youths, the subject was so open that made the discussion so hot and informative, then here most of the people decided that its important for them to know their status and practice safer and safe sex with their partners..
the following day we pitched our tent and use also other room for testing and counseling,we received some clients after Friday prayers where the Imam(prayer leader) talked at long about HIV and AIDS in his preach. the number was convincing hence gave a room for sure change among the KULAMAWE community...bravo TOWA, bravo GIRISA, bravo IYAP and kulamawe community at large..

SUPPORT FROM MAANISHA..

SUCCESS STORY

It was on mid march when we were carrying out a community outreach(mobile CT) at BULLA PESA when one of our HCT PROVIDER came accross a poorly dressed man who claimed to be 29yrs old but acording to the his physical look the guy seemed to be in his late 30,s. The guy looked to be very confused and worried about the decision he was about to make, from the look of his face he was suffering from a weeks hungover... “every one is looking at me as if am a stranger from another planet, i mean the furthest one i dont know may be jupiter or pluto’’ the guy said.
Then as a counselor i just called the client in and asked him if i can assist where he noded as a sign of acceptance, ‘’I have been living with this virus for so long all my friends died but am still living, people are scared of me ,i have no families and friends! They believe that am a carrier, am just walking but I died some times back” and the tears started running over his cheeks while he was staring though the faded tent window. Have you ever been tasted before ? was my next question, the client told me that was not neccessary.
Then this touched me alot after realizing that this person who now happens to be my client was never tested his HIV status but now for at least two and a half years he lived knowing that he was HIV positive, Ithen decided to take the client though the normal counseling routine, where he accepted to be tested.
Waiting for the first result normally takes 15minutes and in this period i gave him all the time to aske questions and all the questions were evolving around living positively, which was so good meaning that the client is expecting any thing which will be easy to manage.. after this all his eyes are just sticked on the testing table and he couldnt listen nor hear anymore, after filling the data form the clock was on its 15th minutes and this means that i had to ask my client if his ready to take his result, this was another terrible thin that has ever happened to his life ang the guy became 100% sobber and was sweating and shiveriing as if suffering from a chronic malaria. “ yes am ready my result will say whom really I am’’. The client confidently walk to the table and stand beside the result as i was following closer, what did you see? I asked “ daktari hii ni chan’gaa siamini”. Thats true this your result an as i showed you earlier two lines means that you are HIV positive but this proves you to be HIV negative since this now only one line! The client didnt believe all this and really the result shows him to be HIV negative.
When comingup withe plan of action the client confessed that he just ruined his live and wasted alot of time for so long since he believed to be HIV infected. I promise you that this the end of my hard times, am like born again, no chang’aa in my life again and am going back to my family to tell them this good news and let all my village and neighbours should know that i know my status.. ‘’you saved my life i never get courage like this before, but its a new beginning i promise you again’’.
Believe me or not on tuersday june 22nd the client came to the our office with his wife and a three and a half years baby girl just to say thanks to what IYAP did to win back his lost HOPE! But we also thougt that most of the credit should go to AMREF MAANISHA for transforming this and many other lifes..
BRAVO AND LIVE LONG AMREFMAANISHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STILL UNDER RRI

the HIV Testing and Counseling this time round penetrated in to the heart of Kenya army barracks.. On 7th 7/10 IYAP in conjuction with 78Tank Battalion Counselors take the service to S.O.C.E (School of Combat Engeneers) an organised, well and highly discplined people in their normal and official duties.. After our arrival to the camp we were received by tha Top Ranked personels who warmly welcomed us and briefed us on our next move.. This a big special family have met in this country, BRAVO! We were invited to a well seated soldiers whom we estimated to be around 210 majority being men. We did an introduction and talked on HIV and AIDS basic facts and new developments, after this brief session we also give them chance to ask question. We were then entartained by a well talented young man who narrated not only interesting but informative ORAL NARATTIVE. After this we all set our things and went on with testing, the client were over whelming where we decided to back the following day widing up the process, the total no. Of tested and counseled were 173clients. Thenx to the top officials,middle and the juniors for their full support .