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A YFCI Partner and Affiliate
Pal Omega Positive Group (POP) has initiated various mitigation efforts especially partnership with National AIDS Control Council (NACC). POP project is committed to give care and support to 100 orphans and 30 widows and widowers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Pal-Omega was formed by HIV+ patients who were attending 3 support centers in Russia (New Nyanza Provincial Hospital), St Monica Hospital and Chulaimbo Sub-district Hospital. The patients who were attending the support centre at Russia had been particularly supportive of one another. Group activities included home visitation and experience sharing sessions. The idea of forming the group arose from the problems that patients on ARVs were facing, that is, bodily rashes, sore throat, lack of appetite, limited recreation opportunities etc. Later members saw the need to expand services to include others who were infected and affected in Manyatta B Location.
The Greater Manyatta B Location, Winam Division, Kisumu District in the Nyanza Province of Kenya has of late experienced the worst socio – economic effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on widows, orphans and vulnerable children. The population of OVCs has been increasing alarmingly and there is widespread exploitation of both children and women especially on property rights. Child-headed households have become an emerging phenomenon. This calls for urgent remedial measures.
The increase in AIDS related deaths in Kenya has subsequently led to an increase in the number of orphaned and vulnerable children. At 25%, the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kisumu is among the highest in the country and is contributing to high numbers of orphans in the district (NASCOP, 2003). 8 out of 10 orphan cases in the country are due to HIV/AIDS. 3 out of 10 young people have lost their fathers while 1 out of 10 has lost a mother (Otieno, Dorothy July 15th 2004: The Tale of Orphaned Children: East African Standard). A CSA, UNICEF study of 2003 revealed that about 2 out of every 5 young people in the district know children who have been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. About 3% of the total households in Kisumu are headed by young people under 18 years of age (NASCOP, 2003).
All information on this page is copyrighted by the Pal Omega Positive Group. YFCI is the owner of this website, but is not responsible for any of its content. POPG © 2007
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