Helping HIV positive children access antiretroviral therapy and improve their quality of life

On Saturday, 18 August 2012, the Namibia Red Cross Society, with the support of the Netherlands Red Cross, will launch a campaign in Grootfontein to promote access for children to the HIV fighting treatment, antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Through this campaign we aim to help communities understand:

• what ART is;
• how HIV positive children can access this important treatment;
• the correct way to take ART medications; and
• how to access other support and care services provided by the Namibia Red Cross society.

You are invited to attend this event and learn more about how to help vulnerable and HIV positive children in your communities.

Where: Umulunga Sport Stadium, Otjozondjupa Region, Grootfontein

When: Saturday, 18 August 2012, guests should arrive by 8:50am

What is ART?

ART consists of a combination of medications that can help HIV positive children by:

• suppressing the HIV virus;
• improving their immunity systems;
• helping preserve normal growth and development; and
• improving the quality of life for affected children and their families.

The treatment is available throughout Namibia so the Namibia Red Cross Society wants to make sure the people who really need ART know about its benefits and how to access it.

We also educate children on how to take their medication correctly, as ART can require prescription of several bottles and children have to take large volumes of the medication, which can lead to confusion.

Helping communities help themselves

With the support of our dedicated volunteers we aim to build the capacity and resilience of children and their guardians to cope with the challenges they face in their lives.
We provide holistic care and support to orphans and vulnerable children throughout Namibia, and our services include:

Awareness campaigns

Our dedicated volunteers deliver health education workshops on HIV and AIDS, TB, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence issues, and other related health issues in community settings and people’s homes.

Care and support for people living with HIV

Our volunteers provide basic homecare, food and advice on nutrition and help establish food gardens to generate income. We aim to empower families and primary caregivers to manage the work themselves.

Psychosocial support

Through support groups, people living with HIV and caregivers receive psychosocial support from other community members.

Working with orphans and vulnerable children

Namibia Red Cross, with support from Netherland Red Cross, supports children by providing school uniforms and stationery, lobbying for the exemption of school fees, paying for exam fees, providing after school care and rehabilitating and constructing shelters.

Supporting access to testing and treatment

Volunteers give advice on increasing access to ART, helping people living with HIV to adhere to treatment and working with them to prevent further infection. We also promote HIV testing and mother-to-child transmission prevention programmes.

Promoting anti-stigma and discrimination

We are significantly increasing advocacy and championing the rights of people living with HIV, orphans and other vulnerable children, by helping them to access the support they need.

Youth peer education

Our peer educators promote life skills and positive living to other young people in their communities and schools, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS, and TB.