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ICTC, HIV/AIDS Clinic, support for women, men and children
(Terres Des Hommes project) |
The greatest harm inflicted by AIDS is in the shattering of
the lives and dreams of children. In India, the epidemic has
left 70,000 infants infected with the virus and has orphaned
120,000: abandoning them as hapless survivors of the HIV requiem.
ASHA foundation embarked on the Terres De Hommes Project in
2001.Under this project there are four sub projects –
ICTC(Integrated counseling and testing center), HIV/AIDS Clinic,
support for women, men and children and income generation .The
goal was to advance the welfare of these children.
| a. |
Voluntary Counseling
and Testing Center: This center provides Pre- and Post-
test counseling for HIV testing, Supportive Counseling,
Crisis Counseling, counseling for ARV therapy, counseling
for PMTCT and counseling for families of HIV positive
individuals. So far about 2228 persons have been counseled.
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| b. |
Free HIV/AIDS clinic –
This clinic was established in 1998 and provides free
consultation and services to HIV positive patients and
their families. Three outpatient clinics are conducted
per week. The medical team consists of a physician, a
pediatrician, a family physician, a psychiatrist, a counselor,
a social worker and a nurse. About 800 patients and their
families are cared for in this clinic. Free treatment
is provided for diseases like tuberculosis and prevention
of mother-to-child transmission of HIV disease. Single
mothers and parents are also provided free or subsidized
ARV on a case-by-case basis. The organization liaises
with a local hospital for inpatient services and deliveries.
In 2oo5-06 638 patients visited the clinic and in 2006-07
724 patients visited the clinic. 92 new patients enrolled
in the Clinic of whom 42 were male and 50 were female.
159 are receiving antiretroviral therapy of which 22 are
children. 28 patients received treatment for T.B. during
the current year. 40 pregnant HIV positive mothers were
referred to ASHA Foundation and treated. |
| c. |
Focus on children: This
program provides financial assistance in education of
children of HIV positive parents. It also provides nutritional
supplements to them. About 120 children receive support
for education and 80 for nutritional supplementation.
ASHA also has a picnic day, a sports day and an annual
day for these children. ASHA also supports older children
for vocational training. |
| d. |
Vocational training for women:
At ASHA we have many women who are young widows or destitute.
They are given vocational training in making paper bags,
files, folders, paper pens, cards, candles, artificial
flowers, etc., and these are marketed for them. Tailoring
classes were held and they can sew salwar sets, blouses,
mobile holders, purses, bags, frocks, cushion covers.
They are trained in knitting shawls, sweaters etc They
are also supported in individual ventures if they have
a talent for it. ASHA networks with the local positive
women’s network for training programs, job placements
and legal help. In the last year, 16 women received vocational
training during this year. 12 women received job placements.
Four people received loans varying from Rs.10, 000/- to
Rs.25, 000/- during this year. The loans were given to
start the following ventures: |
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Fancy Shop |
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Saree business |
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Public address System |
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Tailoring machine |
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Two self-help groups were
formed, each group consisting of 20 members. The groups
are called Srishti and Tripthi. The first SHG has saved
84,951/- and the second group has saved Rs.4,907/-
The TDH project is completing its second cycle of 3 years
in September 2008.
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