THE MASS TESTING

This another special day and high opportunity for the community living in ISIOLO to go for HIV counseling and testing.. the programme started early last week, since then IYAP has been participating in this activity which was named RRI,this a joint activity done by PASCO,DASCO ISIOLO,LVCT,APHIA II EASTERN,IYAP,78 TANK BATTALION and other stake holders.
the activity is targeting to test 10,000, to realize this the activity will be both day and moon light VCT, since its beginning we have already managed to see a good number turning up for the services which include FP(Family Planning) service.

IT's OUR RESPONSIBILITY!

Always remember when the Tortoise is quite it doesn't mean that it's dead! But having a bigger plan for tha future..
IYAP then has been trying to come up with some new strategies in improving its services to the communities in ISIOLO in tha fight against HIV and POVERTY. after along consultation with the community in Otha sub-location, IYAP by the funds from G.R.A.C.E AFRICA initiated a nursery school which is now accomodating 88 children 90% being orphans. This initiative is meant to relief an already vulnarable families whom live with this children at home for lack of nursery school fees and levies which is not catered for by the goverment of Kenya, in this proccess IYAP has also managed to meet with the caregives and discussed more on their social life and their future plan of actions. By this IYAP believes that they can be able to come up with a positive change in our community.this are some of the school photos.

MARCHING FASTER!

IYAP will soon shake the whole of Isiolo district and become a champion organization in the fight against HIV and AID's. This the move that many wount believe since the organization has more plans and new strategies in reaching the most at risk population, namels long distance track drivers, Commercial Sex Workers, Muslims community, Miraa(Khat) dwellers, bar maids and most of all Street children.
IYAP has already done a survey and identified the issues to be tackled.
The month of December has been the tight month for us, the one special thing about this month was that since its inception for the first time we managed to Test and Counsel over five hundred and six(506) clients in the central vicinity of Isiolo district.
We actuall want to acknowledge Isiolo community for their great co-operation in easying penetration to our targets groups. Liverpool Vct Care and Treatment (LVCT) for the great financial and capacity support and for holding our spirit so high, Ministry Of Health (M.O.H) via District AIDS and STI Co-ordinator(DASCO) for the testing kits provision and other technical assistance. NACC , Amref Maanisha for keeping our school based activities running smoothly Not forgetting G.R.A.C.E africa whose hand has extended to orphaned children through our organization.
We wish all of our followers and friends a Merry X-mass and a happiest festive seaon.

IT'S OUR DAY!

IYAP has been taking alead in organizing and hosting most of the past world AID's day in Isiolo district.
We then today organised some activities though we had No financial support for this we then visited some orphans and vulnarable in bringing out the sense towards reducing stigma and discrimination, building partnerships and ensuring external support strengthens community initiatives and motivations.
We also meet with some relegious leaders who can also of great meaning towards giving hope and care that relates to spiritual/soul of a person and facilitates its expression.
We then took the part of the day in giving information on importance of knowing HIV status and for those who got the prevelage and know their status and found to be positive were encouraged to engage themselves in income generating activities which can be supported by various agencies.
IYAP then suggested that Policies should be in place in favour of orphans and vulnarable children to access the educational bursary funds. We also made every one remember that we are all HIV positive until proven otherwise. We then took our mobile service to tha Prison camp and managed to test over 38 warders and family, tommorrow IYAP is again taking the service there targeting the inmates/prisoner believing that with the kenyan situation right now everyday is WORLD AIDS DAY!

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.