African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF)
AMREF Uganda AIDS Orphans Project
Luwero/Nakasongola, Uganda
Background
AMREF is a non-governmental organization committed to improving the health of the people of Africa through African-led initiatives. Headquartered in Kenya for more than 40 years, AMREF operates over 90 health projects, including increased access to safe drinking water, health worker training, AIDS prevention and the Flying Doctors Service. AMREF Canada supports this vital work through resource development and public education.
The Project
The AMREF AIDS Orphans Project in Luwero/Nakasongola district assists the extended family to cope with the enormous number of orphans that have been affected by both HIV/AIDS and war. The project also supports people in the district to develop community-based solutions and acquire the ability to meet the basic needs of the orphans under their care adequately.
Luwero had a major HIV/AIDS problem brought about by the effects of the war, which ended in 1986. This effect had greatly strained the extended family's capacity to cope with the many orphans under their care. At the same time, the government efforts to establish nurturing institutions to care for the orphans had failed.
Started in 1991, AMREF's project assists orphans with primary education fee payments. It also helps their guardians by providing training and loans for income generating activities (IGAs), in order to boost their income levels and meet the needs of the orphans. Social services are also provided to the guardians and the community to help sustain a nurturing environment for the children's growth. The project has helped more than 3000 orphans attend school, provided assistance to guardians and guardian groups for income-generating projects, and arranged apprenticeships for older orphans.
The orphans have varying medical needs: many are HIV positive, some have full-blown AIDS. The project uses AMREF's expertise to provide medical assistance and counselling for these children and their extended families.
With support from the Stephen Lewis Foundation, AMREF's Aid Orphans Project will:
- Fund children's school fees, school supplies, and uniforms and better equip their schools. The infrastructure of 17 schools will be improved. This will allow the project to continue to provide 1,680 orphans (1,008 girls and 672 boys) with primary school education; 105 orphans (62 girls, 43 boys) with secondary schooling; and 105 orphans (60 girls, 45 boys) with technical and vocational training.
- Pay for school and home support by AMREF-trained social workers. This includes training and support of district leaders, relevant heads of departments, sub-county and parish leaders and partners. It will enable support and training to continue for 58 Village Orphans Representatives (VORs) and five Chairpersons of Parish Orphans Committees, all of whom are in place. POC/VOR leaders and guardians will acquire skills in credit management, bookkeeping and marketing, to initiate/manage micro enterprise.
- Training in children's rights will be included. Nine hundred and fifty leaders and pupils will be trained in child needs and rights, gender issues, land tenure and succession laws, with particular attention paid to girl's and women's rights. Negative cultural attitudes associated with HIV/AIDS will be proactively addressed in order to empower the target population.
- Ninety percent of targeted communities including orphans will be made aware of HIV/AIDS prevention and will be provided with other forms of reproductive health counselling.
SLF Ref#: AMREF.04.02