by dapp | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog, News
The Total Control of the Epidemic (TCE) one on one approach proved to be popular among the visitors that stopped by the Humana People to People stand which featured DAPP Zimbabwe activities. DAPP Zimbabwe’s response to the UNAIDS’ 90 90 90 target was the major selling point, with TCE being the vehicle to achieving the goals.
TCE starts with testing the individual for HIV in the areas where DAPP works.
Each person is engaged in dialogue where issues about HIV/AIDS are discussed in depth, addressing fears and concerns of each individual until a clear understanding with the person regarding why HIV testing is important as the entry point to HIV prevention, care support and treatment. The individual is offered HIV testing in the comfort of their homes by trained TCE Field Officers who conduct door to door visits. Each individual is tested for HIV based on their consent. The door to door approach also gives a chance to the individuals to engage their sexual partners so they are tested as couples. The TCE Field Officers are trained in couple counselling as well. It is very important for couples to make informed decisions about their sexual life together. Issues of disclosure among partners are made easier as they are dealt with at household level.
Humana People to People and DAPP Zimbabwe delegates are among the 5000 who exhibited and attended the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe. The seven day conference allowed DAPP Zimbabwe an opportunity to showcase the TCE program to over 1500 delegates who have visited the stand. Delegates who visited the stand were impressed by the One on One People led approach used by TCE to fight HIV/AIDS among communities saying that community ownership is key to fighting the epidemic. Many delegates expressed that TCE is a unique program that has the potential of ending AIDS by 2030. “Your program seems to understand that many rural folk neither have the time nor will to visit health centres which are normally kilometres away from them”, Grace Arziki of Red Cross Nigeria, one of the many stand visitors made the remarks. She added that testing for HIV at home gives individuals the privacy they need as well as allowing for couples to test together in the comfort of their homes.
by dapp | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog, News
DAPP Zimbabwe offically launched a new 3-year project to reduce TB and HIV in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe. The project which works together with TB Alert will be running in rural Chimanimani and Mutasa districts where rates of diagnosis and treatment for TB and HIV are low.
Using a model developed in-line with the WHO’s ENGAGE-TB approach; which calls for the integration of community-based TB and HIV services; the project aims to turn the tide. Speaking at the official launch DAPP Zimbabwe chairman IB Hansen said the project will make use of the successful TCE model’s door to door outreach model where :
- 40,000 people with recieve rapid HIV test
- 9,000 sputum samples will be collected at the doorstep
Through the project, DAPP Zimbabwe will recruit and train community volunteers to carry out door-to-door visits towards reaching 75,000 households with awareness messages. DAPP will provide TB-HIV training for community leaders as a way of cascading information to the wider community. The project will raise TB-HIV awareness through cultural activities such as street theatre or sporting events.
by dapp | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog, News
Development Aid from People to People handed over foodstuffs worth $10 000 to families affected by floods in Mbire District in Mashonaland Central Province. The food stuffs which included mealie meal, sugar beans and cooking oil were handed over to the most vulnerable groups which included children and the elderly.
Speaking at the handover ceremony guest of honor Mashonaland Central Province resident Minister Cde Martin Dinha said the food assistance comes at a time when families in the district have been suffering from the effects of the floods. He commended DAPP Zimbabwe’s people to people approach saying working together for the betterment of humanity should be a universal agenda.
Speaking at the same occasion DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Mr Luckson Soda said DAPP has been an all weather friend to the Zimbabwean government and its people adding that disaster response is part of DAPP’s pillars. He added that since 1980 DAPP has concentrated its efforts to equipping communities with the necessary skills to foster development in their own areas and as such will work with the affected people in Mbire to rebuild their community.
Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province experienced floods in January 2015, resulting in 327 homesteads being destroyed and over 1000 people being displaced .
by dapp | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog, News
HOPE Bindura has facilitated the formation of the Kubatana club support group to provide support to adolescents living with HIV in Manhenga ward 10 catchment area. The support group which has 20 youth members seeks to address the issues of counselling ,drug adherence, safe sex and stigma. Speaking at the launch DAPP Zimbabwe HOPE Bindura Program Officer Hazvinei Kufa said teens generally face many challenges and positive living teens are more likely that adults to default on treatment. She said teens often face stigma in their communities because of their HIV-positive status.
The support group offers a safe environment to help teens, some who are orphans to deal with issues affecting their lives. HOPE Bindura will work closely with the support groups to train and educate families and caregivers of the infected teens. As a result 20 treatment buddies were formed so that the adolescents will not miss taking their drugs as they will be supported by the primary home based caregivers and one family member.
The launch of the Adolescent support group was supported by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, ZNNP+ and Child Line.
by dapp | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog, News
Farmers’ clubs Zimbabwe projects are engaging farmers in Masvingo ,Makoni, Mutasa in promoting the cultivation of small grains such as millet and sorghum to boost food security.
Farmers’ clubs Project Leaders agree that small grains such as sorghum, pearl and finger millet play a vital role in food and nutrition security. Small grains by their nature make them able to thrive better in drier areas.
Farmers also received education on the benefits of growing small grains. They were taught that, sorghum and pearl millet are rich in potassium and calcium which are important for healthy bones and teeth while finger millet is rich in iron which is important for children under five years, pregnant women and the chronically ill patients.
Farmers welcomed the initiative and managed to produce a substantial amount of the small grains.
Following the good harvest Farmers were also educated on storage of the small grains discovering that as compared to maize, finger millet has long storage life and is rarely attacked by insects.
Ministry of Agriculture is on record saying that growing small grains is a proven approach for improving household food security.
