Mobile AIDS Homecare and Orphans Programme, Uganda
| The work done by the Medical Missionaries of Mary in the area of HIV/AIDS in Uganda is well documented elsewhere, and misean cara is happy to be associated with such work. Here we highlight a practical and creative approach to dealing with AIDS orphans. Residential Farm Schools are set up to provide an income for AIDS orphans and at the same time give the children an opportunity to get a much needed education. |
Nothing has touched me so deeply as the words of
a mother in the terminal stages of AIDS, asking
me 'what will happen to my children when I die?'
The reality of AIDS in Africa is horrifying. But
statistics do not cry, numbers do not tremble,
graphs do not need a hug, data does not touch
our hearts but children should.
Since our programme was set up in 1987, we have
cared for more than 25,000 people who have been
infected by HIV. We provide them with treatment
for the opportunistic infections and pain
relief, and ensure that they have good
nutrition, and dignified care. As AIDS is still
an incurable disease, sadly 20,000 of these
people have already died.
Our Mobile AIDS Homecare and Orphans Programme
in Uganda have provided many different services.
Our team of 65 local professional people
includes doctors, nurses, teachers, counsellors,
social workers, agriculturalists, accountants
and administrators, drivers and mechanics.
Working alongside these wonderful people, we
have more than 700 unpaid volunteers whom we
have trained to be our ever-present feet on the
ground in the hundreds of villages covered by
our Outreach services.
In 1998 we first developed the concept of
residential Farm Schools, for teenage orphans.
They come to school for just one week of each
month so that they can continue to care for
their younger brothers and sisters and put into
practice the skills taught in the Farm Schools.
We are very happy to see that other agencies are
now taking up this idea.
(Report provided by Sr. Ursula Sharp MMM and
Sr. Isabelle Smyth MMM)