AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #368 - Strengthening capacities of communities to care: a case study of mainstreaming psychosocial support into Early Childhood Development programmes in Kenya
Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Kathleen Okatcha - Kenya Orphans Rural Development
Additional Authors: Mr Edwick Mapalala, Mr Peter Masessa,
Aim: Driven by passion, a group of dedicated individuals started the Kenya Orphans Rural Development Programme, as they repeatedly saw their community members getting sick and dying. In the late 1990s, as the epidemic was escalating, the most prevalent attitude was community acceptance of their lot as victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It was difficult for them to talk about their plight and impossible for them to perceive a way out of this quagmire. As one of REPSSI’s first partners, KORDP engaged first with Journey of Life. This methodology that emphasised community ownership and empowerment set these discussions apart from all others: after discussing their challenges, KORDP would ask the community how it planned to solve them. A key theme that has emerged from these discussions is the recognized importance of early childhood education. Communities lacking the most basic resources have managed to cobble together tin shacks and mud huts, and have identified and trained community volunteers to become ECD teachers. This presentation will describe the challenges and outcomes of this community-based initiative highlighting the attitudinal changes that have taken place from local leaders through to the elderly.
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