World Aids Day 2018
This year’s World Aids Day was held on 30th November2018 at Othoro Primary school in Kabondo Kasipul constituency. The World theme being Know your status and the Kenyan theme, Know your status with emphasis on men(Mwanaume, jipime jijue)- Men get tested and know your status!
Upendo Foundation staff attended this occasion which was graced by the cabinet secretary of Health Homa Bay County. Melkio on behalf of the staff gave a brief presentation about Upendo and what we do and expressed our efforts in the Health, helping the community access medical services at the Ted Rayner clinic and the plans to have counselling and testing services and subsequently provision of antiretroviral services to the patients tested HIV positive and to manage the conditions through provision of opportunistic infections drugs and treatment. He appealed to other organizations working within the County in the Health sector and the Government health departments to partner with Upendo in order to jointly address the issue of poor health and nutrition among the HIV positive patients ,so as to be able to scale up the preventive and management of HIV/AIDS conditions in the region.
The event was attended by AHF the lead sponsor for the event, Path, CBOS, FBOS and groups of PLWHAS. The event started with a road show from Nyapalo centre having a convoy of motorcylces and vehicles with police officers providing security. Different organizations were dressed in different uniforms and t-shirts printed with the theme of the day. HIV testing and counselling services were conducted by various health organizations.
There were lots of entertainment including songs, dances, skits and testimonials from groups and individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Compared to the previous World Aids day events, this had a very good attendance by many different organizations. It was an opportunity for Upendo to interact with the different organizations and Government sections involved in the HIV/AIDS activities.
Thanks to Amani UK for sponsoring the projects to attend this event.
Leonard – Programme Manager.
