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<p>We provide a diversity of programs and services to those within the Slums of Namatala to support our clients in order to educate, prevent, and support HIV infected and affected persons.<br></p>
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<p><strong>Education Program</strong></p>
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<p>The lack of education present in the slum makes it especially easy for the virus to continue spreading to new hosts. The diversity of misconceptions and misinformation about HIV, how it is spread, and its prevention contribute heavily as well. Unprotected sexual intercourse and improper condom use are additional contributing factors. Our education program is executed at local schools within Mbale. Our selection process of partnering schools is based on where residents of the slum attend. To date, we have presented to thousands of students aged 11-24. Our program focuses on topics such as HIV/AIDS, Health Sex, domestic violence, mental health, mindfulness, and others.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6TjNksko1cSVvIs-xQstAnTTU2YjzWXhxMR3_P9kpcul2Np6LKnGAr2xh0U-gAyo5HJYu91kE4GOjVvNmjIfauvjxzEY0Noex4LZatB6mTH1dVe0ToOc4zKZbkzMoAgjp_G1_ncW" alt="" width="274" height="205"/></figure></div>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://hasnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/unnamed-12.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73"/></figure>
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<p><strong>Savings/Loan Project</strong></p>
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<p>With many of our clients being widowed or single mothers, they often look to get re-married or pursue another relationship due to financial instability. Many of our clients have expressed that they would never pursue such relationships if it wasn’t for the sake of needing the income to support their many children, as these relationships are often accompanied with abuse.</p>
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<p>This project aims to give our clients financial independency. Operators of this program, called Field Officers (FO), are trained through a week-long program to lead the Savings Association (SA). The program is designed such that the SA members are then trained by FO through a three-phase, 36-week program designed to equip members with the knowledge and tools they need to operate the program independently after the training cycle. The program is self-sustainable and fosters ownership amongst members. </p>
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<p>Through the program, beneficiaries can develop financial independence, invest in small-businesses, manage household cash flow, take out interest-free loans, and access a social fund in cases of emergency. We also provide beneficiaries with education tools that focus on the importance of savings and aspects of what loans should be utilized for.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/76tk6R3ixMfAXytK4kd25IRDiCXtQlnK8ry_4aw4XrLwRJydHiF_BdDgJ11xJM-En14pOE0X9j9gbL3lB1KXRZLQvTcoscqR2619_jJ6xLBCjGttluMIfs9cJ-xxaH0lqj1wSTQ1" alt="" width="248" height="186"/></figure></div>
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<p><strong>Support Circles</strong></p>
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<p>The weekly support group is one of our native projects, which has been operating for over 5 years. The support circle is primarily aimed on de-stigmatization and empowering our HIV+ clients to live positively regardless of their status. The circle is an opportunity for members to share, and foster support between those who have been recently diagnosed and those who have more experience. Support Circle facilitators guide discussion and focus on various topics pertaining to HIV/AIDS, mental health, well-being, avoiding opportunistic infections and others.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LeS5HmG_j1MtmL5oC4T7-AS4HVUMYc9IZ4s_GV5pM_UOmG2YgCQkmxlDBZVM-g2LQqMpuw9E6gHld4DLfsZHuRQeQF29qC_bDfRubzryk-J-g3ioHRRgnY3mm7fGaVarY8mzFTtj" alt=""/></figure>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gg0Iz4qzLuhZff6V5p7LhYYXGyTilngr8-maxSqVtga39bMYYZlppyXpLmjaEGilfiFGRIje_wWyG8dkAxE4LqXCMbdzxzbEVF0IKRImaVhmaPJInp0SHjWJYWtVAd6EcZRiJLil" alt=""/></figure>
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<p><strong>Food/Supply Program</strong></p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U9-wc7sKd34TCbicDDsqqrc8EZ7tH2bUcfC1E124m3vDKXixbrGHuGrfpQW2cWCRNS5xKDrd1GXS8JnwRjKhgmOdZFIAEofAkpx6ZLAXV3V1hvJZu6L4wCQGycJR1uWNVAzlCwfV" alt="" width="234" height="257"/></figure></div>
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<p>In Namatala, the average person lives on 1,000 shillings (roughly 30 cents) a day. Furthermore, the clients whom we serve and have selected are of the most vulnerable in Namatala. In many cases, our clients are forced to take their medication on empty stomachs. This practice often causes stomach irritation, body weakness, and severe headache. As such, members often avoid drug adherence in the absence of food. The food program is designed to support our clients adhere to their respective prescribed treatment. In addition, we provide hygiene products to our clients, as many are not able to afford something as essential as soap. As HIV persons have a weakened immune system, this makes them especially susceptible to opportunistic diseases resulting from poor hygiene.</p>
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<p><strong>HIV and Cervical Cancer Screening</strong></p>
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<p>HIV and Cervical Cancer screening are services we provide free of charge. These services are open to all Namatala community members. HIV testing days are accompanied by pre and post result counseling services. Those who are tested positive are supported by HASNN, as well as our partners in order to get the necessary support and drug treatment they need to continue living positively. The testing days average around 150-250 individuals.</p>
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<p><strong>Family Planning</strong></p>
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<p>Family planning services are designed to equip women with the tools to choose when and how many children they have. In Namatala, poor family planning results in high-scale child mortality. This is especially prominent amongst HIV+ clients through Mother-to-Child transmission. Family Planning services are provided in partnership with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU).</p>
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<p><strong>Counselling Services- Home Visits</strong></p>
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<p>We provide one-on-one, in home counseling and support for HIV positive individuals within Namatala. Our counsellors address issues such as isolation, stigma, drug adherence, and make referrals to health institutions resulting from opportunistic infections/diseases. Progression in the areas mentioned are filed and monitored for progression.</p>
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<p><strong>Income Generating Activities</strong></p>
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<p>We support our clients with the resources and/or tools to operate various income generating activities in order to afford medical treatment resulting from infection (which exploit an HIV-infected immune system), or paying for their ARVs (drugs). Ultimately, our aim is to empower clients to recognize their vast abilities despite their HIV status. Our past/present income generating activities include gardening, raising and selling livestock, and making hand-made jewelry.</p>
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