Aids Control Project (ACP)

The Aids Control Project (ACP) was established in 1991. Up to the year 2008 the project goal has been to reduce incidences of HIV and AIDS/STI’s (Sexually transmitted infections). Besides we tried to alleviate the negative social effects of HIV and AIDS/STI’s on marginalized groups and the general population in the project area.

Main objectives

Since 2010 the project's focus has changed into Rights Based Approach (RBA). The facilitation of the rendered services shall be more on Rights Based than Need Based where beneficiaries were waiting to receive packages from charity. HIV/AIDS is a social problem. In a community everyone has rights and duties and a role to play. Therefore we try to activate the community's responsibility and sensibility about this problem. Within seminars and meetings we talk, discuss and inform the people about the ways of infection. But as a Christian community we are also responsible to care about and support orphans, widows or widowers who are indigent.

Local sustainability

Talking with people and committing them responsibility requires to know their culture, their life conditions and their needs. To force this knowledge and to offer every community the best support, we work together with community leaders, local politicians and special groups like employers or Youths.

Primary Prevention

We started as IEC (Information Education & Communication) then Peer Education later turned into Community Education and now we are on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC). And this is the most important question: What do you have to dor that you do not get infected with the HIV? A question which answer everyone should know. Therefore we talk with teenagers, young adults and family members about the protection and importance of taking care. But all of these people have different experiences, knowledge and handlings and that is the reason why we divide the crowd into target groups:
  • Girls and Boys aged 10 – 14 and 15 – 19 in and out of School (Primary school drop outs)
  • Ages 20 – 24 (in and out of school also special groups of men and women)
  • Ages 25 – 29 Men and Women (in young marriages)
  • Ages 30 – 49 Special groups with special risky environment (gender sensitive).

Human Rights Advocacy and Legal Aid

Sensitization on the Rights of the infected and the affected community protection of the orphans,widows and widowers support to the claim holders to get their Right/Legal protection.

Target groups:
  • Infected and affected Community
  • Community Leaders
  • People living with HIV and AIDS
  • Duty bearers in the affected Community

HIV and AIDS Care/Counseling

Care of the sick AIDS cases including those living positively (not yet sick). Home visiting to the in bed cases where the project has community volunteers and households called Home Care Givers (HGC) Home Care Taker (HCT). The Home Based Care Units serve as consultation (Special Clinics), 7 units in the Diocese/Karagwe Government District.

Social Support

  • (Photo: Venant T. Mugenyi)
    Social Support Component dealing with economical instabilities where the vulnerability is affecting the whole social lives of the affected and infected community: School going orphans support (school fees, uniforms, books and stationary. This project takes care of 360 students per year
  • Housing and shelter if the family hasn’t any
  • Food support for the most vulnerable



To get an impression what the Aids Control Project is about, you may download and read a story of hope written by Anne Juel Katabaro.
ACP Story 2010
Karagwe Diocese – ACP Story 2010




Contact

Further information through Venant T. Mugenyi, ACP coordinator, by Email aids.control@kad.or.tz


Text: Venant T. Mugenyi