HIV/Aids project donates 25m/- equipment to Mufindi

HIV/Aids project donates 25m/- equipment to Mufindi

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) being implemented in the country under the 'Tunajali' project has donated working items worth 25,160,000/-.

The Obama administration, through US Agency for International Aid (USAID), plans to reach a total of 5,408 people living with HIV/Aids in Mufindi District, Iringa Region.

The project manager for Iringa region, Edna Diallo, said at a brief ceremony to hand over the donated equipment that 148 home-based service providers would be using them, adding that the move by the US government had helped to change people's mindsets in Iringa Region who believed that donor support never reached the targeted people in rural areas.

The arrangement to make physical contacts and provide services in rural areas has exposed some urban-based civic organisations that mismanage donations and support targeting rural-based people living with HIV and those living in difficult environments.

"In its programme to improve the provision of quality HIV and Aids services, the Tunajali programme being funded by PEPFAR has handed over bicycles, boots and rain coats, all worth 25,160,000/-, thus helping people do away the misconceptions," said Diallo.

Earlier, District Executive Director Limbakisye Shimwella said that the commitment of President Obama's programme was a big challenge to civic organisations which have been receiving lots of resources but very little of it reached the targeted groups.

“You witnesses this right here. The Tunajali programme has demonstrated that it is possible to take the donations down to the targeted people. We want other organisations to learn from this initiative," emphasised Shimwella.

Some service providers who spoke to this paper were optimistic that the initiative will help to improve Iringa Region's HIV status.

“I think under such initiatives, we may find ourselves doing better in our ranking on HIV/Aids issues. Having 400 people offering home-based services to victims is a big step forward," said one Anita Kanza.

source: The Guardian