Five team members from Prodigals’ Home Dimapur went for an exposure learning to an NGO, Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) Vijaywada,AP, from 27th to 30th July supported by UNICEF. The objective of the visit was to observe and learn from VMM’s initiatives with children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and vulnerable children. VASAVYA MAHILA MANDALI (VMM) established in 1969 with Gandhian ideology as a non profit secular voluntary organization is working in the rural as well as urban areas of Andhra Pradesh. VMM works with a vision to promote comprehensive social, economic and political development for women, children and youth in vulnerable situations, there by empowering communities in A.P to improve their quality of life, and build a better civil society in India. Besides the multiple social issues that VMM is addressing throughout Andhra Pradesh, it is working with a special focus on AIDS orphans, infected and affected children and vulnerable children, children from child headed families, children living on the streets, adolescent girls in vulnerable communities and victims of human trafficking.
Like any other places, PLHIVs in Andhra also experienced high stigma and discrimination in the initial years. PLHIVs were stigmatized and discriminated by their own community members. Dr. Deeksha (Medical Director VMM) recounts that there was a time when only close family members and VMM staff attended funerals of persons who died of AIDS. ‘It’s not the same anymore’ she said. She also shared that when VMM started HIV advocacy and intervention programmes, the community at large was apprehensive and the response was slow. Some community members even alleged that VMM is working simply for the sake of money. However commitment of VMM to the cause brought about changes in the mindset of the people. Today, community involvement and support has become the biggest strength in addressing HIV/AIDS. Through their initiative many support groups are formed in different pockets of the district. In the initial stage, PLHIV were not willing to join any support groups due to fear of stigma and discrimination. Dr. Deeksha stated “it took 5 years for Adult Support Group to become matured”. Today the Adult Support Group is independent and they are able to handle their own problems. Likewise, the Children Club, Grannies club, Children Support Group, School Support Group are taking the lead. The support groups play major role in their own local community in terms of advocacy; educate community on HIV/AIDS and other related health issues and to eradicate stigma and discrimination in the society. They also mobilize local resources to support their members whenever anyone is in need.
It has been observed that, along with intervention among PLHIVs and CLHIVs, VMM has conducted many programmes to educate and sensitize the churches. The team met and interacted with some religious leaders to learn about their support to children. Their involvement is worth sharing. Most of the churches are young and their income is minimal, however their support for HIV infected and affected children is commendable. The pastors take the lead to sensitize the members on HIV/AIDS. One such church is the
Bethel Church ( a 30 years old interdenominational church) is located at a police colony and most of the church members are police personnel’s. The church has only one hundred members and annual income is Rs.20,0000 only. Pastor A.Ramesh developed his concern for infected and affected children after attending meetings organized by VMM. When he started sharing his concern to church members they were apprehensive about the programme. He went to the slums and met the children. Amidst much criticism he mobilized fund from the community and started supporting 8 children in 2008. ‘Today the church members are supportive’ he shared. One Sunday in a month is set aside for marginalized and they are able to collect minimum of Rs.10,000 and other materials .Out of the collected money, they support 25 children ( orphans, HIV infected/affected children, and 5 grannies). Their support extends beyond their church members who belong to different faiths and communities. Pastor stated “all the needy people are my friends”. Under the leadership of A. Ramesh, the Church has started a Trust called ‘Angel’s helping Charitable Trust’ (for further details, one can visit www.ahctforchrist.org). Another pastor shared that they use to refer their community members to NGOs for services. They also have regular meeting with support groups and extend material support to infected and affected.
The involvement of the school teachers in HIV programme is note worthy. The teachers take extra time and responsibility to monitor and facilitate the school support groups ( a mixed group of infected, affected and other children ). Along with the teachers, the school support group initiates programmes in the schools to sensitize the other children on the issue of HIV/AIDS.The support groups have meetings in the school premises as and when necessary. “When any infected child falls sick and is unable to attend class regularly like other children we go and inform the school authority to give special consideration to such children. We also inform the NGOs for their help” said a boy from the group. School Support Group was facilitated by VMM in the initial years but now it is the school authority and teachers who are actively facilitating the group. ‘We did what needed to be done, now they have taken up the responsibility upon themselves’ says Dr. Deeksha, medical director VMM.
A young lady who lost her father and young brother to AIDS and whose mother is living with HIV says “I saw how my baby brother suffered. His friends refused to play with him. He couldn’t go to school anymore. Nobody visited him when he was bedridden. When he passed away, only our family and VMM staff was there for his funeral. I was just a young girl when my brother died of AIDS but I decided I will work in this field and help people so that children shouldn’t suffer like my young brother and they shouldn’t go though what I went through”. Today this lady has done her graduation, is working with VMM, happily married, confident and determined and still pursuing for further studies. She has many plans for the future. Such is the impact of VMM’s initiative with children, not just implementing a project but building lives, changing lives. She was one of the member and leader among the first children’s support group formed by VMM.
Wherever the team visited and interacted with, the community members are supportive and encouraging. A sense of concern, care and support exists within the PLHIV community as well as the general community in the neighborhood. “Yes, everybody here knows that my husband died of AIDS and I am HIV+ and my son is also infected but I have no problem. They treat me like any other member in the community” says a widow with two school going children. Presence of support groups in the community, in the schools, in the churches has made a big difference in creating a supportive environment as a whole. A member of children’s club, an infected child who is on ART shared ‘when we come for group meetings we discuss about the importance of taking ART regularly, importance of education, we play games and learn from each other . We also learn what are the nutritious foods that we need to take to keep us healthy and strong.’
The support groups, teachers and pastors of Vijaywada have conveyed a message each to Children, Students, Teachers, Parents and Pastors of Nagaland.
Children club to HIV infected children of Nagaland, “Take medicines ( ART) regularly, take nutritious food and don’t miss your classes”
Grannies club to affected grannies of Nagaland, “Look after your grandchildren well. Be confident a nd facilitate your grandchild to avail services from NGOs”
Message to Naga children “All children are equal, accept and involve all children in all activities”( Children Support Group)
Message to students: “Learn about HIV and learn to help HIV infected and affected Children. Practice acceptance”( School Support Group)
Message to teachers: “Teachers should know all about HIV/AIDS and adolescence character. HIV is not communicable disease. Don’t stigmatize infected and affected children and don’t violate their right to education. Every child is our reflection and they are our future citizens. Be realistic and reflect good practice and they’ll learn from us. We request head masters to initiate forming the support groups in the schools”
Message to Pastors: “Share the love of God to everyone. Mt. 25:35-40 tells us to love and care for the needy. If we ignore any of the needy people, God will ignore us too. Lack of affection to needy people, we lose affection from God”( Pastor A. Ramesh)
“If you have faith in God, serve all the people equally”( Enoch Raju )
The four days exposure learning trip was an eye opener, an inspiration to the Prodigals’ team. The team would like to thank UNICEF for giving the opportunity and thank the VMM for lessons learnt from their initiatives with the children and their family and community members. Heartfelt appreciation to all the children and their parents / caregivers who shared their smiles and enthusiasm and their courage in boldly facing their realities of living with HIV.
Like any other places, PLHIVs in Andhra also experienced high stigma and discrimination in the initial years. PLHIVs were stigmatized and discriminated by their own community members. Dr. Deeksha (Medical Director VMM) recounts that there was a time when only close family members and VMM staff attended funerals of persons who died of AIDS. ‘It’s not the same anymore’ she said. She also shared that when VMM started HIV advocacy and intervention programmes, the community at large was apprehensive and the response was slow. Some community members even alleged that VMM is working simply for the sake of money. However commitment of VMM to the cause brought about changes in the mindset of the people. Today, community involvement and support has become the biggest strength in addressing HIV/AIDS. Through their initiative many support groups are formed in different pockets of the district. In the initial stage, PLHIV were not willing to join any support groups due to fear of stigma and discrimination. Dr. Deeksha stated “it took 5 years for Adult Support Group to become matured”. Today the Adult Support Group is independent and they are able to handle their own problems. Likewise, the Children Club, Grannies club, Children Support Group, School Support Group are taking the lead. The support groups play major role in their own local community in terms of advocacy; educate community on HIV/AIDS and other related health issues and to eradicate stigma and discrimination in the society. They also mobilize local resources to support their members whenever anyone is in need.
It has been observed that, along with intervention among PLHIVs and CLHIVs, VMM has conducted many programmes to educate and sensitize the churches. The team met and interacted with some religious leaders to learn about their support to children. Their involvement is worth sharing. Most of the churches are young and their income is minimal, however their support for HIV infected and affected children is commendable. The pastors take the lead to sensitize the members on HIV/AIDS. One such church is the
Bethel Church ( a 30 years old interdenominational church) is located at a police colony and most of the church members are police personnel’s. The church has only one hundred members and annual income is Rs.20,0000 only. Pastor A.Ramesh developed his concern for infected and affected children after attending meetings organized by VMM. When he started sharing his concern to church members they were apprehensive about the programme. He went to the slums and met the children. Amidst much criticism he mobilized fund from the community and started supporting 8 children in 2008. ‘Today the church members are supportive’ he shared. One Sunday in a month is set aside for marginalized and they are able to collect minimum of Rs.10,000 and other materials .Out of the collected money, they support 25 children ( orphans, HIV infected/affected children, and 5 grannies). Their support extends beyond their church members who belong to different faiths and communities. Pastor stated “all the needy people are my friends”. Under the leadership of A. Ramesh, the Church has started a Trust called ‘Angel’s helping Charitable Trust’ (for further details, one can visit www.ahctforchrist.org). Another pastor shared that they use to refer their community members to NGOs for services. They also have regular meeting with support groups and extend material support to infected and affected.
The involvement of the school teachers in HIV programme is note worthy. The teachers take extra time and responsibility to monitor and facilitate the school support groups ( a mixed group of infected, affected and other children ). Along with the teachers, the school support group initiates programmes in the schools to sensitize the other children on the issue of HIV/AIDS.The support groups have meetings in the school premises as and when necessary. “When any infected child falls sick and is unable to attend class regularly like other children we go and inform the school authority to give special consideration to such children. We also inform the NGOs for their help” said a boy from the group. School Support Group was facilitated by VMM in the initial years but now it is the school authority and teachers who are actively facilitating the group. ‘We did what needed to be done, now they have taken up the responsibility upon themselves’ says Dr. Deeksha, medical director VMM.
A young lady who lost her father and young brother to AIDS and whose mother is living with HIV says “I saw how my baby brother suffered. His friends refused to play with him. He couldn’t go to school anymore. Nobody visited him when he was bedridden. When he passed away, only our family and VMM staff was there for his funeral. I was just a young girl when my brother died of AIDS but I decided I will work in this field and help people so that children shouldn’t suffer like my young brother and they shouldn’t go though what I went through”. Today this lady has done her graduation, is working with VMM, happily married, confident and determined and still pursuing for further studies. She has many plans for the future. Such is the impact of VMM’s initiative with children, not just implementing a project but building lives, changing lives. She was one of the member and leader among the first children’s support group formed by VMM.
Wherever the team visited and interacted with, the community members are supportive and encouraging. A sense of concern, care and support exists within the PLHIV community as well as the general community in the neighborhood. “Yes, everybody here knows that my husband died of AIDS and I am HIV+ and my son is also infected but I have no problem. They treat me like any other member in the community” says a widow with two school going children. Presence of support groups in the community, in the schools, in the churches has made a big difference in creating a supportive environment as a whole. A member of children’s club, an infected child who is on ART shared ‘when we come for group meetings we discuss about the importance of taking ART regularly, importance of education, we play games and learn from each other . We also learn what are the nutritious foods that we need to take to keep us healthy and strong.’
The support groups, teachers and pastors of Vijaywada have conveyed a message each to Children, Students, Teachers, Parents and Pastors of Nagaland.
Children club to HIV infected children of Nagaland, “Take medicines ( ART) regularly, take nutritious food and don’t miss your classes”
Grannies club to affected grannies of Nagaland, “Look after your grandchildren well. Be confident a nd facilitate your grandchild to avail services from NGOs”
Message to Naga children “All children are equal, accept and involve all children in all activities”( Children Support Group)
Message to students: “Learn about HIV and learn to help HIV infected and affected Children. Practice acceptance”( School Support Group)
Message to teachers: “Teachers should know all about HIV/AIDS and adolescence character. HIV is not communicable disease. Don’t stigmatize infected and affected children and don’t violate their right to education. Every child is our reflection and they are our future citizens. Be realistic and reflect good practice and they’ll learn from us. We request head masters to initiate forming the support groups in the schools”
Message to Pastors: “Share the love of God to everyone. Mt. 25:35-40 tells us to love and care for the needy. If we ignore any of the needy people, God will ignore us too. Lack of affection to needy people, we lose affection from God”( Pastor A. Ramesh)
“If you have faith in God, serve all the people equally”( Enoch Raju )
The four days exposure learning trip was an eye opener, an inspiration to the Prodigals’ team. The team would like to thank UNICEF for giving the opportunity and thank the VMM for lessons learnt from their initiatives with the children and their family and community members. Heartfelt appreciation to all the children and their parents / caregivers who shared their smiles and enthusiasm and their courage in boldly facing their realities of living with HIV.
(The Team members were Ms.K.Ela, Director, Mr. Maong Jamir, Asst. Director, Mr.Wati , Asst. Programme Manager, Ms. Tiain, Counsellor and Mr. Ikuto field staff ).
