Dream commended for innovation in Aids fight

The Balaka District Council has hailed the Community of Sant’ Egidio’s Drug Resource Enhancement against Aids and Malnutrition (Dream) programme for its approach towards the fight against HIV and Aids in the country.

Balaka district social welfare officer Nixon Chawinga made the commendation last week when he opened a 10-day ‘Journey of Life Training Workshop’ for community-based organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations, chiefs, community development workers and the Dream staff.

Chawinga said the programme’s comprehensive approach to the pandemic has contributed to the decline of new infections as well as scaling up of care and support to people infected and affected by the disease.

He said Malawi can win the Aids battle if it came up with practicable mechanisms to ensure that individuals infected and affected with Aids are receiving maximum support.

Chawinga thanked Dream for coming up with a project to foster participation of children living with or affected by HIV and Aids in early childhood development (ECD).

“I am also informed that the project intends to increase access to psycho-social support for children living with or affected by HIV and Aids. This is a step towards the right direction in eliminating fear among children living with or affected by Aids,” said Chawinga.

Dream programme manager Francisco Zuze said his organisation is concerned that HIV and Aids continues to impact negatively on communities.

Zuze said severe emotional, social, mental, physical and spiritual effects largely result from death of parents and guardians.

He cited separation, disruption of organised patterns of living, abuse of various forms, poverty, stigma and discrimination, and dropping out of school as negative consequences of the disease.

Zuze said research shows that the first eight years of life are crucial for optimal development hence, efforts are made to give children a chance to grow up in an environment conducive to their development process.

“It’s against this background that Community of Sant’ Egidio, with funding from the Norwegian Church Aid, would like to provide a holistic approach in covering HIV and issues among children by looking at health as well as psycho-social needs,” he said.