Education Fights AIDS International

Men As Partners Program – a great success!

Caitlyn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:55:31 +0000

As EFA’s technical advisor and the facilitator of the Men As Partners program, I am proud to report that our February 2010 training has been a genuine success!

This two-week-long health education and wellness training benefited 30 young men who are infected or affected with HIV. They learned concrete ways to live “positively”, the essentials of sexual and reproductive health, and the ins-and-outs of HIV prevention.

Equally importantly, they had in depth conversations about how certain notions of masculinity can hinder men’s health and well-being. The co-facilitation of several sessions by male Peace Corps Volunteers further enhanced the dialogue. The participants recognized that they were part of a “society” and as such they could participate in and change their society; they realized that they didn’t have to wait for change to come but that they could be the stimulus.

Because of their HIV+ status, many of the men have been made to feel as outsiders in their own communities. Yet, after this training, many noted that they now feel like they can play a constructive role in their communities and in their own families. Quite profoundly, a 14-year-old participant, a son to two HIV+ parents, commented that he felt a responsibility to protect and respond to the needs of his family. With the tools that he gained over the two weeks, he will be able to do it!

Taking a positive approach, the Men As Partners program is based on the beliefs that: men have a personal investment in challenging the current order; that men can be allies in the improvement of their own health; and that the health of the women and children are so often placed at risk because of strict gender roles and stereotypes.

Men, even those who are sometimes violent or do not show respect toward their partners, have the potential to be respectful and caring partners, to negotiate in their relationships with dialogue and respect, to share responsibilities for reproductive health, HIV prevention and care, and to interact and live in peace and coexistence instead of with violence.

While the expectations for the program were high, even so I would have been happy if just one man carried one nugget of information back home with him and transformed one small aspect of his family life.

But something much more profound happened: towards the end of the training, the men said that they wanted to recreate the Men As Partners sessions in their own communities. During the last session, they created specific action plans for fighting some of the societial ills we discussed over the two weeks. It is true that change begins at home, and I am excited to look for signs of the sweeping change over time!

Sometimes the problems of the world can seem insurmountable. We speak of uncontrollable HIV rates, gender inequity and violence, and then experience difficulty in defining solutions. The Men as Partners program created a space for discussing and taking action on real solutions for the 30 participants. They are now dedicated to preserving their own health and promoting the health of their communities. And the have the skills to act upon it!

I would be completely remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank my Peace Corps colleagues: Brian, Josh, Dan, Brad, and Phil. They tirelessly facilitated 61 sessions over the course of the program. And not easy sessions, given the taboos that exist here and the topics being discussed! In addition, we are all tremendously lucky to have Cameroonian counterparts who joined us in the facilitation and who drove the participants to consistently dig deeper into the issues at hand.

I thank you, all who have helped to make the Men As Partners program possible! Your generosity has not gone unnoticed! The participants thank you! And — by extension— their communities thank you!!

Development Officer Position with EFA International USA

Becca — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:17:10 +0000

EFA International USA is seeking a development professional who is interested in using his or her expertise to assist us as we significantly expand our activities. While the position is currently unpaid, EFA’s hope is that the Development Officer’s early successes will enable the organization to provide a salary for this position.

Working hours are flexible, as this is a part-time position. This is a great opportunity to decisively shape a young and upcoming organization that promises to be a leading provider of interventions for youth infected and/or affected living in Rwanda and Cameroon

Read the full job description here.

Celebrating Cameroonian Youth: A review of the challenges for the future

Rachel — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:00:09 +0000

February 11th is Cameroon’s National Youth Day, a celebration of the country’s greatest asset for the future: its youth. Each year and in each village and town, primary and secondary schools participate in cultural festivals and parades to remind their communities and the world of the stake that they hold for tomorrow’s success.

While they may currently be minors, they are not a minority. According to the 2004 Demographic and Health Surveys, 65% of the Cameroonian population is under the age of 25. This is nearly 2 in 3 people in Cameroon!

Here are a few numbers to represent the challenges that Cameroonian families and communities face in meeting the needs of children and young people in order to shape a better tomorrow:

- 16% of primary school-aged children are not enrolled in school

- 30% of all children under 5 suffer stunted growth

- 30% of Cameroonian households lack access to clean drinking water. In rural areas, 53% of households can’t access clean drinking water.

- Only 1 in 3 young women (aged 15-24) has a comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

- An estimated 300,000 Cameroonian women (aged 15+) are living with HIV, emphasizing the importance of mother-to-child transmission.

- There are over 45,000 cases of pediatric AIDS in Cameroon.

- An estimated 300,000 children have been orphaned after losing one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.

Read all of UNICEF’s latest indicators on Cameroon’s children and youth.

These numbers are daunting. ”Il y a du travail” is phrase heard in many conversations about the future. Indeed, “there is work to be done.”

But Cameroon is young, it is resilient, and the solutions are out there.

M&E Advisor position with EFA International in Maroua, Cameroon

EFA International — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:54:39 +0000

We’re growing!

Given the ambitious nature of EFA’s strategic plans, the Cameroon regional office seeks a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor to facilitate the establishment of a robust M&E system for all organizational activities. The M&E Advisor will work closely with program staff and beneficiaries in a participatory approach to gain stakeholder buy-in and ultimately implement the M&E system.

This is an excellent opportunity for an RPCV or an individual seeking to enrich their experience in the field.

Read the full job description here.

In response to the earthquake in Haiti

Rachel — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:51:55 +0000

Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti and all those affected by the earthquake that hit Port au Prince last Tuesday, January 12th. We send sincere wishes for the good health, safety and strength for all, as well as our deepest sympathy to those mourning loved ones.

We hope that governments and organizations can work together with the Haitian people to persevere and rebuild their beautiful country. We recognize that the road to recovery will be long, and that longer term investments are necessary to ensure sustainability. EFA International supports Partners in Health and its sister organization – Zanmi Sante — who have had a positive presence in Haiti for decades and are well equipped to work effectively and efficiently to reach those in greatest need.

We are together. On est ensemble, Haiti.

EFA’s Alim accepted to the International Visitors Leadership Program

EFA International — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:11:06 +0000

Alim Ousmanou, EFA Cameroon

EFA International is very proud to announce that it’s Cameroon Country Representative, Alim Ousmanou, has been accepted to the US State Department’s International Visitor’s Leadership Program! Alim will be traveling to the United States in April 2010 to participate in a two-week leadership training program on Public Health Policy and Practice.

In 2009, Alim was nominated for this highly competitive program by the Peace Corps in Cameroon for his continued collaboration with Peace Corps Volunteers through his work with EFA International. He will represent EFA and its mission to fight HIV/AIDS through education and youth empowerment during the exchange visit. This promises to be an enriching opportunity for Alim as well as for EFA International.

Congratulations, Alim!

Last chance to support EFA in 2009! Your contributions make a difference!

Becca — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:01:30 +0000

HIV/AIDS concerns everyone. With a mission to promote the successful future of HIV-positive African youth, EFA International empowers young men and women with the skills to lead healthy lives and help prevent HIV/AIDS in their communities. We have depended on your support throughout 2009 to provide opportunities for youth — such as health literacy trainings for Peer Educators, innovative microfinance opportunities, and the Youth Network Coordination Committee.

Hear from Hassan, a member of the EFA Youth Empowerment Network:

“I am a Peer Educator in order to help my brothers and sisters and to give them good advice. Thanks to the training I have received, people approach me with their questions. I have the confidence to speak in public and I now have knowledge about HIV and AIDS… Once people know their status, they have control over their health…Don’t run from your brothers and sisters who are positive or who are sick. They need all of our support in order to live a long time. It is better to take care of them and to encourage them. I am proud of myself and my life, even with my HIV-positive status.” – Hassan, member of AJEPS, EFA Youth Empowerment Network

This is your last chance in 2009 to make a difference in the lives of HIV-positive youth in Cameroon. We need $6,500 before January 1st in order to support our new partnership with local health centers and launch the Men As Partners training in 2010.

SUPPORT HIV+ YOUTH TO LIVE POSITIVELY.
SUPPORT EDUCATION TO FIGHT AIDS.
DONATE NOW

Thank you for your support. Happy Holidays and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year 2010!

New Partnerships Established with Health Centers in Godola and Amchidé

Becca — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:19:11 +0000

EFA International is proud to announce two new regional partnerships with health centers in the towns of Godola and Amchidé. Over the course of 2009, health center partnerships have emerged as an effective model for establishing new youth associations in the EFA Youth Empowerment Network. Two of the five current member associations of the Youth Network have direct relationships with their local health center, while all of the current groups in training were established in close partnership with the local health center.

The partnerships between health centers and youth associations are mutually beneficial relationships. EFA commits to providing ongoing assistance to the HIV+ youth associations and supporting HIV education campaigns in the community through EFA’s Peer Educators. As most health centers currently have the capacity to conduct only seasonal education campaigns around events such as World AIDS Day, partnerships provide a valuable opportunity for health centers to expand the services that they can offer. Health centers in EFA-supported communities are now able to organize continuing community education throughout the year. In turn, the health center provides a meeting space for the association and health center directors commit to participating in association activities. In addition, health centers agree to provide short-term employment opportunities for association members during activities, such as national vaccination campaigns.

Rebero Orphan Center Reopens as the Child Support Center (CSC)

Becca — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:13:31 +0000

Since July 2009, the Rebero Orphan Center has experienced several administrative and managerial challenges that have begun to compromise the quality of services provided to the orphans and vulnerable children in its care. As a result of these problematic circumstances, and following a series of discussions with local government representatives, the decision was made to close the Rebero Orphan Center and to re-establish the center under a new name and in a new neighborhood with the intention of providing the same care and support services to the former beneficiaries of ROC. EFA has supported the program staff throughout this transition period as they assemble a new Board of Directors, file all necessary registration paperwork, and transfer to a new building. The Child Support Center (CSC) will open officially in December 2009, at which point all programs will recommence for the center’s beneficiaries.

The CSC’s primary programs will continue to provide education, health, and nutrition services to children at the center.

Looking for a meaningful way to recognize World AIDS Day?

EFA International — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Here are some ideas for how you can make a difference on World AIDS Day:

Befriend. We’ve gone social! Connect with other EFA supporters, get the latest news and events, and raise awareness about how we can help African youth affected by HIV/AIDS. Join the EFA cause on Facebook.
Donate. All U.S.-based staff are full-time volunteers donating their time so that the full amount of money we collect goes directly to funding interventions overseas. All money raised will go to establishing new HIV+ youth support groups, and providing technical and financial assistance to existing groups. Make an online donation now.
Honor. Did you know you can give to EFA in memory of a friend or in honor of a loved one? Simply enter the person’s name and EFA will take care of the rest. You can choose to send an eCard notifying someone about your thoughtful gift. Dedicate your gift.
Volunteer. EFA International is always looking for motivated volunteers to assist us with technical, administrative and operational activities. If you’re interested in volunteering with EFA International, check out our website to learn more about our programs and e-mail: volunteer@efainternational.org
Watch. UNAIDS is webcasting their event, A World AIDS Day Luncheon: HIV, Human Rights and Universal Access and Marginalized Populations. December 1, 2009, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Virtually anyone in the world can sign in as a guest and watch it online (live, or the recorded version after the fact).