Equipping poor families with HIV/AIDS life skills

For years now, access to anteretroviral drugs has been a challenge for families in rural areas. Although the government provides the medication for free, most people living with HIV have to travel long distances to access the drugs.

But this is just about to be a thing of the past. starting June 1, GEMINI will be teaming up with community-based distributors whose mandate is to provide home-based care, medication and ongoing counseling.

"These are trained community workers whose job is to bring access right to the doorsteps of people in need," said Isaas Ajon, GEMINI board member and a village elder. "This is crucial because families with little or no money can still acquire medication and enhance their lives."

Some of the beneficiaries will include families from Karara, Suwerwa and Machine villages. More villages will be incorporated into the program starting September.

"I feel privileged to be part of this process...it will reduce the transport costs that I incur every month going for the drugs in Kitale, a distance of about 50km from my village," says George.

The community workers will continue to receive additional training on social marketing, communication, counseling that will enable them provide user-friendly services to the community. An additional 10 workers are set to join the program before end of the year, with the program expected to serve an estimated 120 families by February.

On behalf of all the families that will benefit from these services, GEMINI would like to extend our gratitude to all our friends and donors who have donated to our project since the beginning of this year.

We will keep you updated but should you need additional information or clarification on any of our projects, please feel free to contact us.

Once again, thanks so much!!!