Community approach to reducing HIV/AIDS impact

Community counselling and support in Ngarire, Kenya, is helping to reduce death rates and improve prospects for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Ngarire Hope Group used to give grim report of its members who were either bedridden, treating opportunistic infections or perpetually in and out of hospital.

But now the death rate has fallen considerably, many opportunistic infections can be treated at the village level and families are more skilled in home based care and support.

Gradual changes are taking root in Ngarire and neighbouring areas, including increased use of effective herbs to treat infections, quality nutrition, improved hygiene standards, counselling and community support.

The group, which has 41 member families and supports 82 clients, says the community used to bury up to three people in a week. During several months in the last three years they have not had any funerals, a change attributed to an improved way of living and collective efforts to slow down the spread of opportunistic infections.

The Hope Group was formed five years ago to improve health, promote home based care practices, strengthen community networking, impart farming and business skills and promote community solidarity.

They embarked on counselling, training and referral services, care and support, support group prayer meetings and promotion of theatre and drama to trigger behaviour change.

It has forged partnerships with the Ministries of Health, Livestock Development and Environment. The collaboration with the Ministry of Health saw rapid building of latrines. The livestock department introduced beekeeping, poultry and goat projects.

The community is now growing highly nutritious crops that were never known there before 2004 such as soya beans, watermelons, mangoes, bananas and paw paws.

Herbs have been grown in almost every household and the community says they are able to treat 75% of the common infections and sicknesses such as diarrhoea, coughs, chest and upper respiratory system infections and cold-related infections which are prevalent among people living with AIDS.

Ngarire Hope group now owns 300 chickens, 40 goats, 8 beehives, many Moringa herbal trees, several cows and rabbits. Says Achieng: "I was bedridden for six months. I now cultivate and grow my own foods and support my sister's two orphans."

The group has won praise from the Ministry of Health and it has on several occasions been invited to train other groups by the Kenya National AIDS Council. The members are discovering their potential and hope to go to other parts of the country to help communities to fight AIDS stigma and promote positive living.