Nourish& Educate HIV Affected Children in India

Udayan Care has provided counselling and financial support to 67 families and 80 children during the last quarter January-March 2012. HIV/AIDS is recognized as more than just a health issue – it is an issue of development, of economics, of security, and of human rights.

Quotes of the Beneficiaries: *(Names have been changed to protect privacy rights of parents and children.)

Mandeep* - “I am really grateful to the donor who supported me and my family at a very poor financial stage. After the death of my husband, I was worried about the future of my children, but it is my good luck that I became a part of this programme and my children are now doing well.”

Reshma*- “How I can forget that this programme has changed my entire life. When my first husband passed away, my in-laws threw me and my daughter out of their house. I joined this programme and fortunately met with a man and got remarried to him. Now I am happily married and living with my two daughters.”

During the last quarter all the children appeared in their final examination and are expecting good results. Their parents also supported them throughout, not only by providing them with good nutritious food but also boosting their moral to help them thrive well in academics.  

Monthly Workshops for HIV+ Parents:

 Objectives

To strengthen the capacity of families and family networks by facilitating an environment for the HIV infected parents, Udayan Care conducts monthly workshops with them on the last Sunday of every month. The agenda is to make them realize their potential of creating and using institutions of mutual self-help for themselves.

 Table of the monthly workshops for Parents

Resource Persons: Mr. Faheem Khan, Ms. Megha Garg, Ms. Ananya Mukherjee & Mr. Joy 

Theme of the workshop-Role of Parents for the academic betterment of their children .

 Date– 26.02.12

No. of participants- 53

Major outcomes:

• Parents were asked to keep a tab on their child’s academic preparation.
• Parents have shown interest in monitoring tips for their children in academics.
• Parents were given advice to attend PTAs in schools.
• To keep cell phone numbers of class teachers.
• To visit the schools regularly and meet the class teachers.
• To motivate their child to use the leisure time in outdoor games.

Theme- Experience sharing.

No. of participants- 51

Date- 25.03.12

Major outcomes:

• Entire group shared their joys and problems openly.
• Parents were happy with academic performances of their children
• They offered Psychological support to each other within the group.
• Group showed signs of confidence for being socially accepted.  

Monthly Workshops for Affected children of HIV +ve Parents:

In order to make the HIV affected children realize the charm of childhood, we also conducted workshops with them. For instance, we organized a drawing/painting session with them, where they freely shared their feelings and emotions with others. Through the workshops, Udayan Outreach Programme aims to help the children develop their personality and overcome the emotional trauma they have experienced in their lives. To build their confidence the workshops were also designed with interactive sessions where children shared their views, opinions and experiences of their lives. 

Sonam*- “I always enjoy the workshop here as I learnt a lot from them. I always participate in my school activities and keep trying my hands on things which I learn here.”

*(Names have been changed to protect privacy rights of children.)

Table of monthly workshops for children:           

Resource Persons: Mr. Faheem Khan, Ms. Megha Garg, Ms. Ananya Mukherjee & Mr. Joy

Theme of the workshop-Art and Therapy.

 Date– 26.02.12

No. of participants- 59

 Main outcomes:

• One of our Shalinis from USF Programme conducted a session with children.
• Children were happy to interact with a “Didi” (elder sister) and learnt a lot from her.
• Children participated with full enthusiasm in the interactive session.
• Children learnt how to recycle used paper.
• Children were encouraged to use these learnings at home and schools.

Theme- Fun & Learn.

Date- 25.03.12

No. of participants- 63

Main outcomes:

• The session was intended to teach these children about time management in studies.
• Children received an opportunity to express themselves.
• Children also shared their schools’ time tables.
• Children became friendly with older children.

Moments of Joy

 One of the very committed donors “Gerlinde” from Germany attended the session and interacted with the parents and their children. They were happy to meet her as she was very warm, enthusiastic to meet them too. She shared some motivational words, distributed cookies and had lots of fun with all of them.

Home Visits:

Home visits are an integral part of the project which helps us to meet parents as well as children personally. These visits also provide a space to monitor the involvement of parents for the betterment of children. These home visits also help us to strengthen the bonds with the families.  

Links:

• www.udayancare.org