From Daily Monitor Newspaper
September 17, 2010
“Mr. James Kibanga, the coordinator of National Forum of People Living with HIV networks in Uganda, said there is no reason votes should be given to people who will not mind about their health. He said a successful battle against HIV/AIDS is best fought at the pinnacle of government through disbursing funds, commitment and leadership.
‘The 2010/2011 national budget was virtually silent on the HIV/AIDS crisis, yet only one-third of hte people in need of HIV treatment have access to it, and more than 100,000 people are infected with HIV annually,’ said Dr. Stephen Watiti, the chairman of National Network of People Living with HIV.
Although new data show that HIV treatment reduces HIV transmission by 90%, clinics in Uganda are turning away thousands of patients in urgent need of treatment because of insufficient funding.”
In the small village of Mawanga, the local clinic is also turning away people because of the lack of funds for HIV medication. How will ROWAN respond?
Before ROWAN decides exactly how to serve people living with HIV, the organization will take time this year to research, conduct focus groups and bring HIV stakeholders together within the eastern region of Uganda to gain a better understanding of the current conditions.
On October 2nd, ROWAN members living with HIV were invited to a brainstorming meeting. In the end over seventy people showed up from twenty different villages! They shared with ROWAN staff about their struggles, needs and challenges. ROWAN earnestly asked them:
“How can we help you?”
“What are other organizations doing to help you?”
“If we could do one thing to support you, what would it be?”
The responses were overwhelming with social, economic, medical, physical and spiritual needs. So far no other organizations are helping them besides one which gives basic medications, and they are excited to see how ROWAN will play a role. And it wouldn’t be a meeting without some dancing and laughing (see video above).
We can’t do everything, but we can do something. Pray with us as we find out how.
Education & Training
Will you help make quality education possible?
Entrepreneurship
Empowering Communities Toward Self-Reliance.
Medical Assistance
ROWAN works closely with the health care facilities in the region to improve healthcare in the community
Savings and Loans Association
ROWAN in Action
Urgent Need
We deliver emergency services as required across the community.