Tumaini na Afya
In October 2004, ELI launched an HIV/AIDS Community Mobilization project, calling it Tumaini na Afya – Hope and Health. The Tumaini na Afya committee was formed, comprised of a coordinator, two registered nurses, a public health technician, a social worker, two pastors, a person living with HIV/AIDS, and a community leader. The initial goal of the program was to provide care and emotional support to those infected with HIV/AIDS as well as their families. In January 2005 the ministry expanded to focus on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, mobilizing those who are already infected with the virus for treatment, as well as continuing to provide follow-up and care within the community. The project now works toward its goals of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, replacing the fear and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS with hope and truth, and caring for those already infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. ELI is working to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through awareness campaigns and a focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of the disease. HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns have been held in five villages in Eastern Kenya, drawing crowds of 700-2,000 people and providing free testing to those in attendance. Three-day HIV/AIDS Caregiver Trainings have been completed by 204 individuals from 60 villages throughout the Rift Valley Province. One-day “Basics of HIV/AIDS” trainings have been offered to approximately 3,400 students at 17 primary and secondary schools throughout Uasin Gishu District, which include showing films and promoting discussion amongst the students. ELI also works to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS by training groups of traditional birth attendants (TBAs). TBAs meet
once a week for 18 weeks, covering a variety of topics such as facts about HIV/AIDS, mother-to-child transmission, nutrition, safe delivery practices, hygiene, and breastfeeding. Those who complete the course receive a certificate of achievement as well as an emergency delivery kit, which includes the basic supplies necessary for conducting a delivery. Mobile voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services are offered in rural villages where individuals do not have easy access to such services. Sustainability is built into each of the Tumaini na Afya projects as they are focused primarily on training—empowering individuals with knowledge which will lead to attitude and behavior change. The ELI project staff expects the programs to have a multiplication effect throughout other villages as those who are trained will continue to train others, leading by example.