GODFREY'S CHILDREN
A Project of Hope
Community AIDS Forums consist of two consecutive forums - one for children infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, and one for the entire community - occurring over six days in total. The goals of the Community AIDS Forums are to identify the needs of the children in order to develop and implement community projects based on these needs, and to enhance the local leadership capacities needed to implement these projects.
The Community AIDS Forums are a collaborative initiative between Godfrey's Children (with support from partner organizations such as the African Regional Youth Initiative) and Africa Bridge. Africa Bridge is a non-profit organization located in the U.S. who assist in the development of African initiatives to the challenges created by HIV/AIDS.
Objectives of the AIDS Forums:
Conduct two 3-day Forums
utilizing the Future Search model.
Involve at least 60
community members representing a cross-section of the local
population.
Develop at least two
concrete projects to be managed and implemented within the community.
Provide technical and financial assistance to local leaders during project planning and ongoing assistance during project implementation.
Results from Community AIDS Forums in Tanzania:
Community AIDS Forums were conducted in Idweli, Tanzania from November 7-12, 2002. The purpose of these Forums was to assist the village in identifying the needs of 150 orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS and deciding what to do to address those needs. The children and adults identified the following priorities; shelter; food; education; health care; freedom to play; and love.
The children (orphans and vulnerable children) identified five income generating projects that they could work on. These are; cultivating vegetables; raising chickens to provide eggs, fish farming; planting trees to provide lumber; and traditional crafts.
The adults decided on eleven projects centered on two areas. First, projects building and /or improving village infrastructure, tasks ranged from creating an Orphan Center and a Health Center to road development and laying water pipes. The second group addressed orphan and village sustainability. Examples included purchasing cows to provide milk for orphans and purchasing a community tractor to improve agricultural productivity.
Below is a newsletter written by Barry Childs, Director of Africa Bridge, on his trip to Tanzania in August 2002 to finalize preparations for the November Forums.
Community AIDS Forums- Idweli, Tanzania
Africa
Bridge
August
2002
Dear
Friends,
Two
groups of people made a major impact on me during this journey. Firstly, the elders I met
in Tanzania. The elders here are an integral part of the community. Most have little or no
money, yet they raise funds to refurbish hospitals, plant trees, look after sick people
and care for orphans. Above all they were accessible to all in the community, particularly
young people. Their presence is positive and energizing.
Secondly,
the children of Africa. I met children in a squatter camp in Soweto, just outside of
Johannesburg, where the adult unemployment rate is 80%. In Tanzania I met many children,
some were HIV positive, some were orphans most had parents. All were loved. The average
person in Tanzania lives on $260 a year, the average amount spent on health care per
person per annum is what you and I would spend at Starbucks for an espresso coffee. These
children have little by western standards, yet they are vital and creative. They make
beautiful toys from scrap-wire, they make footballs from old plastic bags and string.
Their smiles engage you, their laughter is intoxicating. However, these children are very
vulnerable. If they become sick or their parents become ill or die, the resources for them
are thin. Africa Bridge and Godfreys Children has a vision to help a community in
Tanzania called Idweli provide for the long term well being of their vulnerable children.
Idweli
is a rural farming near the city of Mbeya in South Western Tanzania. This area is remote,
a 12 hour bus ride from Dar-es-Salaam, the nearest International Airport. HIV/AIDS is a
serious problem here. Idweli was the home village of Dr. Godfrey Msemwa the founder of
Everyones Child. Godfrey was a charismatic young doctor who was tragically drowned
in Dar-es-Salaam, after his death the organization was renamed Godfreys Children in
his honor. The mission is to support children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and
they are sponsored by the International Federation of Medical Students. Godfreys
Children is our partner in Tanzania.
The
principles of the upcoming Forums:
-get
the whole community to decide how to provide for the well being of
vulnerable children and orphans
-use dialogue
to focus on the future
-identify
common ground rather than resolving conflicts
-and take
responsibility today for actions to ensure a desired future
Idweli is
high up in the mountains. The land is fertile, the climate cool and damp.
Monday
August 5th Idweli
This
morning the chief had gathered his whole council to meet with Furaha and I. First we went
to see a large piece of land adjoining the village that had been set aside with the help
of Godfrey and the council for the orphans. The vision is that there must be space for
buildings, recreation and cultivation. We then went to see the village hall where we are
going to run the Forums. It is very basic and it is going to be a tight fit. We will make
it work.
In
summary, children in Africa are vulnerable. The leadership of Idweli wants to provide for
the long-term well being of its most vulnerable children. Africa Bridge can help
them decide how and Godfreys Children can support them in implementing the actions.
The
purpose of the Idweli Forums is to:
-Identify
the needs of vulnerable children and orphans in Idweli
-Define
the actions and projects to provide for the childrens long-term well being.
There will be two Forums this November:
-Forum
for Vulnerable Children & Orphans [50 participants]
-Forum
for the representatives of the village of Idweli (includes eight children from the
Childrens Forum) [64 participants]
Godfreys
Children and TAMSA (Tanzanian Medical Students Association) are committed to supporting
the village of Idweli in executing the resulting projects. In addition Furaha and I met
with organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, National Bank of Commerce, Rotary International,
the Royal Netherlands Embassy, World Vision and the Social Action Trust Fund to solicit
support for the projects during 2003 and 2004.
Many
thanks.
Barry.