Today, 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December 2012, bringing people together from around the world to raise awareness of the pandemic and encourage progress in prevention, treatment and care. Concern Worldwide are specialists in tackling hunger in the world’s poorest countries. As part of this work, it is vital that we simultaneously address life-threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS.
In 2011, Concern’s HIV and AIDS programmes had a positive impact on the lives of over 250,000 people directly and almost 1.2 million indirectly. We have three main approaches for our programme:
- Raising awareness to prevent the spread of HIV and supporting people living with HIV or AIDS, and educating community members and healthcare staff.
- Increasing access to effective care and treatment for people living with HIV or AIDS.
- Improving outcomes for people directly affected by HIV or AIDS by ensuring that they have adequate food and income.
Sauda’s Story:
Sauda Ntakiteye, 45, lives in Nyankwi village, West Tanzania. Nine years ago she was diagnosed with HIV, and just a few years ago, Sauda was close to dying – she was missing nutritious food to support the medicine she was taking.
Thanks to Concern Tanzania’s Integrated Livelihoods Programme, Sauda was trained on how to grow vegetables. Since then Sauda has been working hard on her farm and is food secure, as well as making income from selling the surplus of her vegetables and crops.
Instantly I started to feel better, and my medicine worked. I grew strong and within a short period I was able to start farming again. I live more comfortably now and I am no longer hungry.
An important part of the support and care that individuals living with HIV/AIDS need are simple items, which help to protect their health and livelihoods.
How you can help:
- £41 pays for a HIV Test and Counselling bringing confidential HIV testing, counselling and treatment to someone needing the chance to talk and get help.
- £48 pays for Farmer Field School which trains up to 25 farmers in simple techniques that can stop soil erosion, harvest rainwater, improve crop yields – and grow more food for their families.
If you would like to learn more about the amazing work of Concern Worldwide or would like to choosing from their range of special gifts, you can check out our dedicated charity page and become part of the solution.
