Help Families with Nodding Syndrome in N Uganda

RIVER FUND HIV/AIDS FAMILY SUPPORT WOMEN ASSOCIATION.KITGUM

Nodding Syndrome

 1)     Introduction

River Fund HIV/AIDS Family Support Women’s Association is an organization working to provide psychosocial and other support and care to women and girls and their families infected and affected by HIVAIDS and other needy people.

The association was established in 2007 by a group of thirty women and is registered as a community based organization (CBO) with Kitgum District Local Government.

2)     Administration

The Association is administered through an Executive Committee composed of nine (9) members assisted by a Program Coordinator who is a volunteer and member of the Association.

The newly elected committee is composed of;

1. Hellen              Chairperson
2. Hida                 Vice Chairperson
3. Maliam            Treasurer
4. Grace               Secretary
5. Clara                Assistant Secretary
6. Karmela            Member
7. Florence                 “
8. Florence                 “
9. Beatrice                  “

 Margaret                   Program Coordinator

A general meeting is held quarterly for all members to update them and plan for new activities. Members also act as volunteers in the implementation of activities since the group at the moment does not have capacity to pay full time staff.

The women Association with financial aid from River Fund, USA also provide food and nonfood items to children and households suffering from the nodding disease syndrome.  The children and their families come from the 3 villages of Awere, Kampala Anyuka and Okidi Central.  In total there are 52 children and 35 households being supported.

Monitoring visits.

In order to encourage the families to take heart, keep hope alive and take good care of the children, members on a rotational basis, visited Okidi project site as shown in the below photograph. Where physical visits were not feasible telephone calls were made.

Findings:

• No deaths were reported
• Children continue to take their medications
•  Parents expressed worry over increased seizures among the children with the approach of the rainy season as cold conditions seem to affect them negatively.
• Parents/caregivers also requested to be supported with sunflower and bean seeds.

 Food and nonfood items Distribution

This was carried out on11/3/2018 after a lapse of 4 months. Items and quantities distributed to each of the 35 households were as follows;

• Fine Posho                                                      25kgs
• Dried fish (Lacede)                                        1  basin
• Sugar                                                               5 kgs
• Salt                                                                  2pks
• Cooking oil                                                     1 Jerri can of 3 litres
• Blue soap                                                        5 bars
• Sanitary pads                                             2 pkts each for 18 girls.

Emerging issues:

• Pollution of water source by cattle and pigs.
• Inadequate intake of green vegetables and fruits  during dry season
• Number of girls requiring sanitary towels have increased
• Timely distribution of seeds for better yields.

Future plans and recommendations:

• Visit every household to collect more detailed data for equitable distribution of food items

 Needs assessment.

A field visit was made to this group by a member of the executive to meet and discuss with them their plans for the new planting season and types of seeds and quantities they require.

Challenges faced in the implementation of activities.

1. Delay by the bank to change to the new signatories which also hindered speedy implementation of activities 
2. Delayed hand over to new executive which created an information gap

Conclusion and recommendation.

This has been a learning period for the new office bearers. They have also shown zeal and commitment and should be commended for all the efforts put in to implement activities. To further improve on effectiveness and efficiency it may be necessary to organize capacity building training for the executive as well as other members of the association.