Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT)

Counseling and testing (CT) is one of the most rapidly expanding HIV program services in the world. Appealing the increased demand is the recognition of CT's role in both preventing new HIV infections and increasing access to care and treatment (including antiretroviral therapy).
Family Health International has supported CT since 1997 with tools, strategies, and technical documents, technical assistance, and program implementation. In more than 25 countries, FHI's current CT programs support in-country counterparts and communities, including people living with HIV or AIDS, to develop culturally appropriate and client-centered services. It works with local government organizations and NGOs to establish and expand services, and providing global guidance on how to tailor services in different settings for different objectives. Regardless of the model or approach, FHI believes CT services must be provided within a human rights framework.

Essential policy actions for HIV prevention

1.) Ensure that human rights are promoted, protected and respected and that measures are taken to eliminate discrimination and combat stigma.

2.)Build and maintain leaderships from all sections of the society, including the government, affected communities, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, the education sector, media, the private sector and trade unions.

3.)Involve people living with HIV in the design, implementation and evaluation of prevention strategies, addressing the distinct prevention needs.

4.)Address cultural norms and beliefs, recognizing both the key role they may play in supporting prevention efforts and the potential they have to fuel HIV transmission.

5.)Promote gender equality and address gender norms and relations to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls, involving men and boys in this effort.

6.)Promote widespread knowledge and awareness of how HIV is transmitted and how infections can be averted.

7.)Promote the links between HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health.

8.)Support the mobilization of community-based responses throughout the continuum of prevention, care and treatment.

9.)Promote programmes targeted at HIV prevention needs of key affected groups and populations.

10.)Mobilizing and strengthening financial, human and institutional capacity across all sectors, particularly in the health and education area.

11.)Review and reform legal frameworks to remove barriers to effective, evidence based HIV prevention, combat stigma and discrimination and protect the rights of people living with HIV or vulnerable or at risk to HIV.

12.)Ensure that sufficient investments are made in the research and development of, and advocacy for, new prevention technologies.

STOBBEHOLZE NEL DEAF AND DEAFBLIND CHILDREN CENTRE

1. BEGINNING OF THE CHILDREN CENTRE:

The idea of starting the centre was found in our work-motto that is: “TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE LIVES”. This was in July 2009, when the project was formed as a Community Base Organization [CBO] dealing with deaf and deafblind children. It is run by people who volunteer to help and support deaf and deafblind children who suffer a lot in Kenya.

2. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES:

Kenya is one of many countries in East Africa where many people with a disability are not given an opportunity to enjoy health care, education, housing, or an opportunity for a school graduation like other children.
There are only a few orphanages and centres for children across the country which give hope to many orphans and access to food, clothes and a proper medical care system.
None of these orphanages keep a place in their centre to accept children who are deaf and deafblind.
One reason for this is the problem of misunderstanding. For example some orphanages think that including deaf and deafblind children will give them a bigger burden.
Some centers also think that this inclusion could have bad side effects for the other children who are not deaf and deafblind.
You can find deaf and deafblind orphans everywhere in the streets. So many of them live under hard conditions as there is nobody to take care of them and to show that they are being loved.
Most of those deaf and deafblind children are AIDS orphans. They don’t have any family members, and those who have relatives face many prejudices as they think that deaf and deafblind children have no place to belong to and that they are a big burden for the society.
It’s sad to see that most of those children who get little support from their relatives get half way education and have nowhere to go and get food, clothing, and housing. And especially they don’t have any place to go when the school is closed for holiday. For this reason the STOBBEHOLZE NEL CENTRE is now the only orphanage centre in Kenya that will support deaf and deafblind orphans.

3. The HOME:

STOBBEHOLZE NEL deaf and deafblind children centre is located in Western Kenya next to Kisumu along Kisumu-Busia road. The place is called Lela market in Maseno, half a kilometer from Maseno University.


4. WHAT WE WANT TO DO:

1. To educate and enlighten deaf and deafblind children on different the issues about the society.
2. To put up a rehabilitation centre for the deaf and deafblind in the community.
3. To create awareness in the society to accept deaf and deafblind children as part of our society.
4. To establish a sign language and tactile sign centre in order to promote communication between deaf, deafblind and the community.
5. To create awareness on rights of the deaf and deafblind children.

5. VISION:

An orphanage centre of excellence where deaf and deafblind children get the opportunity to reach their great potentials.

6. PRINCIPLES:

Deafness and Deafblindness are unique disabilities. The children must be treated with understanding, patience and love.

7. MISSION:

We want to improve the health and education system and create a better life for the deaf and deafblind children.

8. OUR CHILDREN:

Our children are orphans. Many of them were abused physically and have lived under horrible conditions. They are seeking for love, care, education, health, food and a place they can call their home. They need to grow, learn their culture and get the feeling to become a needed citizen.
The children are between 16 and 20 years old.
After leaving the centre and primary school they can go to high school, vocational training, while others will (hopefully) go to university.

9. HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1) Sponsor a child
Both deafness and deafblindness require a learning and understanding environment. It is important that their education takes place in a boarding school starting from nursery.
We invite you to experience the difference a sponsorship can make in the life of a child. Whoever has the possibility to sponsor a child should take this opportunity seriously. The rewards are greater than words can express. Your contribution will go towards paying their school fees, provide food, clothes, medical provision etc.
Your support will protect his or her future.

More things:
-Welcome letter from the STOBBEHOLZE NEL CENTRE.
-Picture of the child.
-Personal history of the child.
-Annual school progress record of the child.
-Personal letter from the child.
-The opportunity to visit the child at the STOBBEHOLZE NEL centre.
-To know that you are making a big difference in a child’s life.


2) Sponsor a STOBBENHOLZE NEL’S development project:

STOBBEHOLZE NEL has not yet a permanent donor to help working on projects like building houses for the centre. We rely on well-wishers, friends, members who want to contribute to help building classrooms, dormitories, an electricity system, water accessions etc.
We have almost succeeded to pay off the land. Then we will start to build permanent houses so that we are able to accommodate more deaf and deafblind children who are still suffering in the hands of the society.
We appeal for help and support. Well-wishers, friends, churches, and other organizations are welcome to help and work together with us.




TO THE CHURCHERS YOUR RELIGION COMMUNITY HAS A TANGIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AN INVOLVED PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL TRULY CHANGE THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE THOUSANDs DEAF AND DEAFBLIND ORPHANES. BY WORKING WITH US THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CHURCH WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ENRICHING EFFORT THAT HAS A SPECIFIC GOAL.

In Nehemiah’s words “come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” [Nehemiah 2:17”] that gave us the motivation for laying down the foundation for protecting and improving the conditions of the deaf and deafblind children.
With this concern in our minds we remember how the Lord Jesus healed the deaf the people brought to him as shown in the bible. [Mark 7:32] in turn it is our duty to bring these kids deaf and deafblind children into personal relationship with GOD IN RESPONSE TO THEIR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS. SO PLEASE JOIN US TO HELP THEM AT THE STOBBEHOLZE NEL’S CENTRE.
REMEBER THAT YOUR GENEROUSITY WILL QUICKLY BEGIN TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF DEAF AND DEAFBLIND ORPHANS WHO ARE IN GREAT NEED!


10.WHERE CURRENT HELP IS NEEDED:
1. Building dormitory, hall etc.
2. Fixing the electricity system.
3. Digging bore holes for water.
4. Fixing a permanent fence.
5. Sponsoring children.
6. Food provision.
7. Safety arrangements.
8. Preparing for a self-sustaining environment.


11. CONTACT:

1. In Germany
Project patron: Nele Gabriel
EMAIL: kidsofmaseno@gmail.com

2. In Kenya
Project Coordinator: Austine Otieno
P.O.Box 11,
Maseno. Kisumu –City
EMAIL: elizipem@yahoo.com


Thank you very much!
Austine Otieno

Sponsorship for a child

Some information about a sponsorship:

Primary school: 7100 Ksh (Kenyan Shilling) per year (= 65 Euro)

Including: Boarding fees, medical provision, uniform (one pair) and one pullover.

With some extra money per month the child would be able to get one more uniform/clothes, better medical provision, transport fees (some parents are not able to pick their child from school. They live far away. The school has to take care of the transportation.)

Secondary school: 28000 Ksh per year (= 254 Euro)

So far we are happy to have eight sponsors for children (primary schools; mostly Maseno School for the Deaf) and one sponsor for a child who is going to attend secondary school next year (2010).

This is a great number! Big thanks to all. Let us continue working together.

If you have more questions please post here or email me.

A new Volleyball and net for the Nyanza Volleyball Teams

It is a sunny hot day in Kisumu. Today the Nyanza Volleyball Teams have a good reason to smile. Finally they are able to continue with their exercises. The old net broke down a while ago and the ball, well let’s say there was a need for a new one. After hanging the net, all of us go for a short play to test the new investments.

The next competition can come. The Teams of Nyanza province will be ready. :)
Asante sana for the big help

Deaf Week

I may take this opportunity on behalf of Kfdt to say THANK YOU friends and supporters. Without you the Deaf Week event this year would not have been such a big success. Thank you again and we are really looking forward to continue working with you to bring the change we want and the chance we believe in Deaf education in Kenya.

Thank you!

Austine Otieno

THE DEAF WEEK

The event kicked off on the 21st September to the 27th September 2009. The Kenya Federation of Deaf Teacher was among the Deaf organizations which participated in the event. The event marked the first time celebrating the Deaf Week in Kenya since Independence. The theme of this year was Human Rights and Sign Language. Most of the Kfdt branches in the 8 provinces in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, Nyanza and Western, participated in the event. The week went well in most areas, but in one area (Maseno School for the Deaf) pupils and other people were denied a chance to participate in the activities. This happened because of bad leadership and other issues. However, the Deaf teachers went on with the day-activities and eventually brought many impacts to the community.

In areas like Nyang’oma (Bondo), Mumias, Kuja and Nairobi the event went on peacefully. So many people were eager to get to know more about the Deaf rights and Sign Language. Major activities that were carried out in Kfdt branches were as followed:

1. Football and Volleyball matches.

2. Celebrations in Deaf churches and visiting hospitals.

3. Walks through the streets to catch the attention of other citizens.

4. Teaching Sign Language, Deaf rights and the Finger alphabet to people (e.g. Piki Piki guys) and government officials like the police.

In some areas Deaf Teachers were carrying a Banner saying: “DEAF WEEK. Theme: Yes! Sign Language.”. The event attracted a lot of people on the streets, on the market, in the shops etc. Some of them joined the activities of the Deaf and Hearing Teachers, others stopped working because of their huge interest in this new area. We distributed them with some leaflets (The Finger alphabet and numbers).

In the future (next year) Kfdt is going to carry out a well planned event which should take place countrywide to ensure national recognition on the rights of the Deaf children, teachers and other adults. The Kfdt is really determining to ensure that the Deaf education has a good reflection for the Deaf children in Kenya.

There is always a need for funds to ensure its activities are carried out effectively.

Now I may take this opportunity on behalf of Kfdt to say THANK YOU friends and supporters. Without you the Deaf Week event this year would not have been such a big success. Thank you again and we are really looking forward to continue working with you to bring the change we want and the chance we believe in Deaf education in Kenya.

Asante sana! Austine Otieno