Marseille 2007
| Abstract #244 - GUIDING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS INFECTED/AFFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS USING PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS; LESSONS FROM TASO UGANDA LTD | ||||
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Session: 6.93: Posters A (Poster) on Monday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Badru Bukenya - The AIDS Support Organisation Uganda Limited, Uganda |
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| Aim: To share how HIV/AIDS service organisations can bring about economic empowerment to their clients in a fast and sustainable way. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Economic empowerment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is being recognized today as an essential element in enabling PLWHA have access and adhere to treatment programs, access adequate nutritious foods, take children to school and meeting other basic needs. However, due to the enormous numbers of PLWHA, bringing about economic empowerment is a huge challenge that many HIV/AIDS service organizations are facing. Activities implemented through sustainable livelihoods (SL) approaches bring about fast results and reach many beneficiaries compared to activities implemented in the conventional project style. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Although no formal evaluation has been conducted for the Exit Empowerment project, anecdotal evidence points to the following short term outcomes. There has been an increase in the amount of nutritious food crops in the beneficiaries homes, beneficiaries have testified improvement in income from the sell of crops, the project has created structures convenient for prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS in their communities (community groups), and there is a sense of confidence and independence among beneficiaries. | ||||
| Discussion: SL principles develop the capacity of poor people to take control of their lives and to create innovative interventions relevant to their circumstances. The approach strengthens social cohesion which helps in addressing the psychosocial issues of HIV/AIDS patients. The approach creates positive competition among beneficiaries in a group to work towards having better results in their individual households. | ||||
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