125 people living with HIV are set to benefit from foodstuffs that aim to cushion them from the effects of Covid 19.
Speaking at Kababu Technical Institute in Suna West while distributing the foodstuffs the Executive Director of Lake Victory Initiative Mr. Peter Gwengi said that 125 vulnerable but very needy HIV individuals will benefit every month for the next three months in the selected six Sub Counties.
“We are currently working in Kuria East, Kuria West, Suna West, Nyatike, Uriri and Suna East and our main target is vulnerable, disabled and very needy HIV individuals”, said Gwengi.
He noted that the reason they selected the six Sub Counties was because they had the highest HIV prevalence rate, the cosmopolitan issues especially in Suna East and the highest number of vulnerable and very needy HIV persons. Gwengi pointed out that with the help of the Community Based Health Works, they were able to identify vulnerable, disabled and very needy HIV individuals at ward levels
Gwengi said that he received the donation from one of the international communities of Women Living with HIV Kenyan Chapter with funding from UNAIDS. He said that the main theme of the donation was to put a smile on people living with HIV.
He said that the programme will give out foodstuffs, sanitary towels, surgical masks and sanitisers worth Shs 300,000 every month for the next three months in the selected six Sub Counties. He said that the programme which started in December 2021 aims to ensure that HIV persons have better nutrition and proper care.
The official pointed out that Covid 19 pandemic severely affected people living with the burden of HIV. He said that although the food basket that they were donating was not enough he acknowledged that the items will enable them to supplement their daily needs and cushion the HIV persons from the effects of Covid 19 and HIV.
Gwengi said that nutrition was very critical for persons living with HIV in terms of positive living. He said that the programme was meant to assist HIV individuals to live positively and healthier. The official acknowledged that the programme cannot assist all people living with HIV but the target was majorly the vulnerable, the disabled and very needy individuals.
He said that after the end of the programme, they will assess and see if there is still a need to keep supporting people living with HIV.
Ms. Rose Achieng one of the persons living with HIV thanked Lake Victory Initiative for their generosity. The 51 years old widow said that the foodstuff donated will help them in terms of food security and nutrition that the HIV persons fully depends on for their good health. She said that many people living with HIV were a vulnerable lot and the donation will go a long way in benefiting them.
She urged other organisations to come on board and assist vulnerable but needy people living with HIV to ensure that they continue living positively and healthy. She said that they will be forever thankful for Lake Victory Initiative that helped train them on HIV lifestyles and business skills on how they can be able to assist themselves to generate income for their sustainability.