Rapid Response Fund Activities
Drama Show on HIV/AIDS for Community Members
| Implementing agency: |
Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Project (IHAUDP) |
| Geographic focus: |
Addis Ababa |
| Target population: |
General population |
| Length of project: |
January, 1994 - June, 1994 |
Background
Since 1989, IHAUDP has been working in the slums of four Kebeles in Addis Ababa with an estimated 40,000 beneficiaries who are economically deprived. Due to their poor economic situation, women and youngsters are exposed to various hazards, including practicing MPSC and STI/HIV. A serosurvey conducted in 1991 among female MPSCs revealed a 16 percent HIV prevalence.
Accomplishments
IHAUDP used their RRF funding to stage popular AIDS dramas to sensitize community members on HIV/STIs in the project area. Distribution of 5,000 pamphlets and 1,500 posters complemented training of 120 CHAs, TBAs, and sanitary guards who then educated 8,699 community members. Condoms were available through the local health post.
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| IHAUDP |
Individuals educated |
8,699 |
| Individuals trained |
120 |
| Materials distributed |
6,500 |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
AIDS Prevention Education for Street Children in Addis Ababa
| Implementing agency: |
Ethiopian Aid |
| Geographic focus: |
Addis Ababa |
| Target population: |
General population |
| Length of project: |
January 1994 - June, 1994 |
Background
Ethiopian AID is an indigenous organization established to support street children and their families in selected areas of Addis Ababa.
In proposing this project under the RRF, the aim was to educate 150 street children and 750 of their family members on HIV/STI prevention.
The project strategies included training of selected street children and field assistants who in turn educate other street children and their families. The Ethiopian AID clinic that provides FP and first aid services was used as a venue for education.
Accomplishments
2,700 street children and their family members were educated on HIV/STI prevention and 1,500 leaflets were distributed during peer group discussion and puppet shows. The puppet show were particularly well-liked by the target population ages 10 - 14.
Constraints
- Insufficient allocation of funding for planned activities.
- Lack of condoms for free distribution.
- Lack of TV and VCR for showing video films.
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| Ethiopian Aid |
Individuals educated |
2,700 |
| Individuals trained |
NA |
| Materials distributed |
1,500 |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
AIDS Prevention Education for the General Population through Taxi Drivers and Installation of Telephone Hotline in Addis Ababa
| Implementing agency: |
Organization for Social Services for AIDS (OSSA) |
| Geographic focus: |
Nationwide |
| Target population: |
General population |
| Length of project: |
February , 1994 - April, 1994 |
Background
The Organization for Social Service for AIDS (OSSA) was established in 1991 with the aim to provide support to people affected with HIV/AIDS and to educate the public in the prevention of HIV/STIs.
In this project, OSSA proposed to install a telephone hotline to give information on HIV/AIDS to the public. In addition, information dissemination to the public through training of taxi drivers and distribution of leaflets was included as part of the project activity to run for two months.
Accomplishments
During this short project, it was possible to reach 20,000 people through playing tape cassettes for taxi users and distribution of 25,000 leaflets through 12 trained taxi drivers. In addition, over 1,086 people called the hotline seeking information about AIDS until the end of December 1996.
A second RRF proposal was submitted by OSSA in August 1996 to stage a well-known drama entitled "Frash Meda" produced by a popular drama group to educate 13,509 people among the general public in Awassa, Bahirdar, Mekele and surrounding towns.
Constraints
- Delay installing the telephone line due to lack of cooperation from the telecommunication authorities. There is also a need for periodical TV and radio announcements on the telephone hotline service for more use by the public.
- Lack of continuity on the taxi drivers program after the project ended
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| OSSA |
Individuals educated |
34,595 |
| Individuals trained |
12 |
| Materials distributed |
25,000 |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
Prevention of HIV/STD among Out-of-School Youth in Addis Ababa
| Implementing agency: |
Save Your Generation (SYGA) |
| Geographic focus: |
Addis Ababa |
| Target population: |
General population |
| Length of project: |
February, 1994 - April, 1994
May, 1995 - September, 1995 |
Background
SYGA is a local NGO established by a group of youth volunteers. The long term objective of the organization is to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among the youth.
SYGA was funded under the RRF three times in order to build the capacity of the organization and to reach out of school youth through peer education.
Accomplishments
- In the first proposal, the organization conducted a TOT for three months for 240 youth from the target population. At the end of the project period, there was attitudinal and behavior change among the 240 youth towards AIDS and condom use. Most of the participants became interested and motivated to more freely discuss sexuality and sexual relations with their peers.
- The second proposal was to expand the education started by the 240 PHEs through organizing foot ball matches to reach 12,000 youth where action oriented dramas and puppet shows are staged during breaks. Leaflets and posters were also distributed. During the life of the project, it was possible to reach 1,504 females and 5,376 male adolescents through small group discussions and an estimated 23,000 youth and adults through special sports events.
- The third proposal was to educate street children through puppets and street dramas at night in Addis Ababa. Leaflets were also distributed. During the project, 15 shows were conducted for 20,860 street children and others who passed by.
Lessons Learned
- A participatory type of TOT training for a lengthy period of time helps PHEs to develop full confidence, and has an impact on changing the personal risks of the PHEs.
- Use of recreational events like sports plays a big role in attracting large numbers of youth to discuss the problem of AIDS and encourages decision making to avoid AIDS.
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| SYGA |
Individuals educated |
50,740 |
| Individuals trained |
240 |
| Materials distributed |
NA |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
AIDS Prevention Education for Youth with Hearing Problems in Addis Ababa
| Implementing agency: |
Beza Lewegen |
| Geographic focus: |
Addis Ababa |
| Target population: |
Youth with hearing problems |
| Length of project: |
September, 1995 - December, 1995
November, 1996 - February, 1997 |
Background
Beza Lewegen is a philanthropic organization established by volunteer Ethiopians to provide services such as welfare and humanitarian assistance particularly to youth.
As part of its support to youth in schools, Beza Lewegen designed an AIDS prevention program under the RRF to educate 1,000 youth with hearing problems on HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa.
Accomplishments
The organization trained 20 deaf and non-deaf youth who know sign language. Each of the 20 trained people then educated 50 youth with hearing problems reaching 1,000 people in one month.
As deaf people are a hard to reach groups and have not been exposed to any information on AIDS, it was important to start educating the group and expand the education to reach more of the target population. The second RRF educated more of the target population through production of a Mime (action oriented) drama which is the first of its kind in the country. During the second RRF, a drama group from the target population was trained, Mime dramas produced and staged to about 1,590 of the target population and guests from different organizations on the opening day.
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| Beza Lewegen |
Individuals educated |
2,590 |
| Individuals trained |
20 |
| Materials distributed |
NA |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
AIDS Prevention Among the General Population in Addis Ababa
| Implementing agency: |
Love to Human Being Ethiopia AIDS Prevention Society (LHEAPS) |
| Geographic focus: |
Addis Ababa |
| Target population: |
General population |
| Length of project: |
July, 1996 - September, 1996 |
Background
Love to Human Beings is a society established by a group of nine physicians and non- medical citizens with the objective of contributing in the fight against AIDS. Initially the society has approached school youth, government workers, and Edir members in the community.
In this project, they have targeted the general population mainly office workers, to reach them through development of a calendar with messages on HIV/STI, condom use, etc. on each page.
Accomplishments
One thousand (1,000) calendars were produced for the Ethiopian New Year that starts in mid -September and distributed to office workers and to organizations working on AIDS prevention.
Assessment of the use and effect of the calendars is planned to be conducted in the future when the Ethiopian calendar year ends.
Process Indicator Summary
| AIDSCAP Partner |
Process Indicators |
Actual |
| LHEAPS |
Individuals educated |
1,000 |
| Individuals trained |
NA |
| Materials distributed |
1,000 |
| Condoms distributed free |
NA |
Other Non-Subproject Activities
In addition to the subprojects described in the Subproject Highlights section of this document, AIDSCAP/Ethiopia directly-managed several activities described here that contributed to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in the country.
1. World AIDS Day Activities
In the annual WAD observances, AIDSCAP participated in exhibitions, rallies and meetings held in commemoration of WAD, organized jointly by the MOH and other relevant organizations.
2. Resource Center
AIDSCAP/Ethiopia established small resource center on its premises with different materials like references on STI/HIV/AIDS, IEC materials, publications, AIDS Captions, seminar reports, and video cassettes received from AIDSCAP/HQ and the regional office. This center is used as a resource center on HIV/AIDS/STI, and BCC by college and university students, individual researchers, implementing agencies, project coordinators, and other organizations involved in HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention activities. About 2,395 materials and 31 video cassettes were loaned to 132 people and organizations during the life of the project. Focus sites and health centers were encouraged to establish similar reading corners. Haile Mariam Mamo Hospital (one of the 20 STI clinical site) and Awassa and Bahirdar Health Centers were supported to establish small reading rooms/IEC rooms.
3. Technical Advice
AIDSCAP/Ethiopia is one of the few organizations involved in HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention and implementation of different subprojects that is consulted by organizations and individuals planning to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities. They come to seek advice on how AIDSCAP was established and how it operates. The country office has provided TA for more than 232 people throughout the project period, including other USAID/Ethiopia-financed implementing agencies and others outside the USAID system, who want to learn from AIDSCAP's experiences.
4. Health Fair
The Ministry of Health organized a health fair in its compound to familiarize the public with efforts made in the production of health education materials. AIDSCAP, among other organizations, participated by sponsoring the health fair and displaying IEC materials that were developed through the financial assistance of USAID.
5. International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa (ICASA)
AIDSCAP/Ethiopia, as one of the participating organizations in the IX International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa held in Kampala, Uganda, in December 1995, along with other organizations that attended the conference, organized a two-day workshop to share the experiences of ICASA within Ethiopia. AIDSCAP thus participated in the planning, organizing and running of the workshop under the theme of n "bringing ICASA home." The objective of the workshop was to bring together government, non-government and religious organizations from Addis Ababa and the regions to share the experiences gained from the conference and to create a network among those involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care. The cost of the workshop was covered by the Netherlands Embassy; more than 50 participants representing different organizations attended.
6. National Conference on HIV/AIDS
AIDSCAP/Ethiopia participated in a National Conference on HIV/AIDS jointly organized by CRDA, MOH, UNAIDS and USAID. The theme of the workshop was "breaking the silence" and targeted policy-making bodies. All government and non-governmental organizations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention participated in the conference. AIDSCAP/Ethiopia participated on the exhibition committee and also displayed its IEC materials, video films, and other teaching materials in the exhibition hall at ECA.
