Give a gift to support AngliCORD's overseas relief and development work.The challenge
Ignorance and lack of open discussion about the virus, along with discrimination and stigma against HIV positive people, is creating tremendous pressure in Nyeri. For this reason HIV positive people do not share their status, not even with 
their own family members.
HIV infection in men is mostly caused by extramarital sex, often during periods away from home for work, and through causes related to substance abuse. Plural marriage is practiced by some Kenyans heightening the potential for infection across wives. Women are at risk of infection for a variety of reasons both social and biological; wife inheritance and early marriage are known to increase risk.
The most recent Nyeri District data puts the HIV infection rate for pregnant women at 18%. This is much higher than the national average of 13.5%. Alarmingly around one in five of these women is under the age of 19.
As well as being at higher risk of infection, Nyeri women are also more responsible than their husbands, fathers and brothers for the care of sick family members.
Our united response
With Anglicord support, the Good Samaritan Clinic is working to provide quality HIV and AIDS preventative and health support services to the community. Addressing the vulnerability of young people is a priority.
Mobile clinics and community care teams provide outreach and support to remote villages where the incidence of HIV and AIDS is high. Parish Health Link People (PHLP) refer community members to voluntary testing facilities, health services and promote prevention. Self-help groups are encouraging independent living, better nutrition and opportunities to earn an income for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) and their guardians.
One important strategy being developed by the Good Samaritan Clinic is to engage young people with the HIV prevention message. The clinic provides High School teachers with up-to-date HIV resources and training in guidance and counselling. Peer-to-peer educators are also being supported to connect with youth both in and out of school.
Progress update
The program is progressing well:
- In early 2010, 290 people received counselling and testing, eight new people tested positive through the mobile clinic and are receiving support.
- Recently 68 students representing 24 schools were trained to discuss sexual and reproductive health, modes of HIV transmission and prevention, risky behaviours, care programs and the impact of the AIDS epidemic with their peers.
- Teachers’ counselling efforts have increased also and peer-to-peer support is being used to ensure risk behaviours are addressed and gaps bridged. The District Education Office reported no new school drop outs for girls, due to teen pregnancy, in the reporting period.
A ‘memory book’ project was piloted amongst families in Gititu Village. Memory books provide a gentle way for infected parents to ‘disclose’ their status to their children, address village rumours, and record family histories and children’s entitlements.
This is an extremely confronting exercise for many people who struggle with disclosure. While many found the exercise still too confronting, over 34 families participated. The intention is to expand and include three other villages, targeting around 150 families.
At a glance
| Project partner: | Anglican Diocese of Kenya West, Good Samaritan Clinic |
| Location: |
Nyeri District of Kenya |
| Target populations: | Approximately 660,000 |
| Partnership began: | 2000 |
| Start date (current phase): | October 2009 |
| Anglicord target (2010/11): | $ 31,021 |
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