World Vision's Hope Initiative

While its work to combat HIV is spread throughout its operations, World Vision has also developed three specific project models to address the needs of children and others affected by HIV and AIDS in high-prevalence contexts:

1. Community Care Coalitions: World Vision mobilises community-based care for orphans, children living with HIV, other vulnerable children and their households.
2. Church and faith-based organisations: World Vision helps churches and faith communities to fulfil their mandates and meet the needs of people affected by HIV, responding in positive and powerful ways.
3. Life-skills training: World Vision provides information and strategies that enable children and youths aged five to 24 to make healthy life choices and avoid acquiring HIV, often involving peer groups, school classes, sports and social activities.

World Vision also addresses HIV in contexts with lower HIV prevalence where there is a high risk of the epidemic expanding. Its 'Models of Learning' programme runs 24 exploratory projects in 10 countries around the world. These projects will help World Vision to develop effective models for HIV response in lower prevalence contexts. They focus on:

1. Age-appropriate life-skills training and education about how to avoid HIV infection
2. Child-focused HIV prevention among populations who are at special risk of infection
3. Mobilising churches and faith communities through the Channels of Hope programme
4. Integrated care for people living with HIV, orphans and other vulnerable children
5. Helping people living with HIV to get access to small business opportunities which give them an income and help them stay healthy

The Hope Initiative will help World Vision to fulfil its ambition to see an AIDS-free generation of children and youths who can become a positive force for development in their communities, their nations and the world.

Pastor Arthur, a Channel of Hope in Uganda

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world," wrote Joel Barker, a successful business writer.

Pastor Arthur Turytunga, 38, who lives in Buhimba, Hoima district, western Uganda, personifies this statement.As a young orphan, he lacked basic needs and love but he had a vision to make life better for orphans and vulnerable children.

At the age of 20, with his meagre income, Arthur began looking after his neighbour Morris (aged three at the time) who is also an orphan. However, this was not enough to bring about the change he was looking for.

In 2005 Arthur became an ordained pastor for Buhimba Christian Fellowship Church in Hoima district. Later that year, Arthur says, God spoke to him and he vividly remembers this statement: “I want you to start caring for the orphans and vulnerable children as I helped and blessed you.”  



In 2007, World Vision invited Arthur and five other members from Buhimba Christian Fellowship Church to attend a workshop under its Channels of Hope initiative.

Changing minds and hearts


Channels of Hope training sessions challenge religious leaders to change their attitudes from judgment and condemnation to active care and support of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. 

“The workshop was an eye opener, it tickled me to think of ways to reach out to children and adults living with HIV,” says Arthur.


Back at his church, Arthur sensitized the congregation about Channels of Hope and the role his church would play in giving hope to hopeless people. The congregation welcomed the idea and identified 11 orphaned and vulnerable children in the community who needed help and also contributed money and food items for them.

By mid 2008, the church had registered a faith-based organization called Buhimba Child Care Initiative, which advocates for acceptance, care and support for the less privileged people living with HIV/AIDS.

The organization teaches about prevention of HIV/AIDS and provides support to orphans and vulnerable children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

Support for the needy


As of May 2010, the organization had registered 143 orphans and vulnerable children and 63 people living with HIV/AIDS.

The organization has employed seven staff to implement activities such as supporting income generation activities to benefit vulnerable children, construction of shelter for the children, providing foodstuffs to the needy, support and caring for people living with HIV/AIDS and educating the community on prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Orphans and vulnerable children who benefit from the organisation’s initiatives are now living happier lives because of the care and support they receive.

For example, Christina Kyomugisa, 10, is happy in school because she received books and a new uniform from the organization.

World Vision Uganda continues to work with Arthur to implement the Channels of Hope activities while contributing to Arthur’s vision of improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.

Written by Davinah Nabirye

CoH Brochures, Please use this one to approach churches!

Friends,

This is a sample of CoH (Channel of Hope) brochure. This brochure already printed and distributed through churches in Wamena. Due to limitation of quantity we hope that everyone seeing this sample through this blog spot can use it to approaching churches in HIV and AIDS program.

Is CoH (Channel of Hope) method best for Wamena?

After several workshops of Channel of Hope, KITA BISA finally argued the method vs Stepping Stones method. Both methods have its own strengths and weaknesses. For CoH, since it related with the bible and Christians values were easily adopted in Wamena. People did not need to argue Christian values since most of them were Christians.

Stepping Stones itself uses general approach that happened in usual practices or behaviors of the community. Based on African culture, it'd likely the same with what happened in Wamena outskirts.

For both of methods, lack of educational background of participants still the main obstacles. Without proper background of education, it will take longer time to transmitting HIV prevention messages. Based on this, KITA BISA uses both methods depend on participants conditions.

After all, we're all agree that Wamena needs its own method !