This programme aims at building the capacity of volunteers in the community that can manage HIV/AIDS and improve the socio-economic status of those infected and affected in the target area. Community mobilization supports orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS as well as people living with AIDS.

Major Activities:

• Training of community volunteers for provision of medical, psychological and spiritual support to people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children.

• Awareness creation in the community through trained volunteers, Community Aids Educators to promote the acceptance of people living with HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma. This is carried out through behaviour change, communication and advocacy.

• The programme operates VCT services spread across the project areas

• The programme nurtures the formation of support groups of people living with HIV/AIDS and economically strengthening them through micro-finance provision as well as medical support through referrals and group therapy.

• Provision of social, psychological, emotional and educational support to orphans and children made vulnerable as a result of HIV/AIDS and their guardians.

• The programme works closely with Talitha Kum Children’s home where desperate needy cases of HIV positive children can be referred to for screening.

Suzanne was devastated when she discovered that her husband died of an AIDS related illness and she herself was also HIV positive. She was shunned by her neighbours and even her own family broke all contact. When she met a St. Martin volunteer she felt understood, supported and loved. With the help of the volunteer she re-established contact with her family, started anti-retroviral treatment, learned how to feed better and as a result became strong. The volunteer also introduced her to a support group of other people living with HIV/AIDS and through this group she started a small vegetable business. Today, Suzanne takes her life positively, feels accepted by the community and is hopeful that she will be able to provide for herself and her family.