After several home visits, they discovered that the majority of the people they visited had no food, were bed ridden and suffering from HIV and its related complications.
The three of them decided that they would pull their meager resources together to help these people most of whom could not afford even the basics like food and treatment drugs.
Rita Namirimu one of the pioneers narrates that although they tried their best to help, most of them died because there was not enough money to treat the sick and feed them.
Nevertheless their efforts paid off and today an HIV community initiative called 'Reach out Mbuya HIV/AIDS initiative' has been started.
Although the program is housed in a Catholic church, a lot has been achieved and it boasts of a number of reach out programs including weekly clinic days and income generating activities that have been started to support the clients and provide school fess for their children.
Margrethe Juncker the project coordinator says occupying the church premises is not a problem.
'A lot of people could start similar programs realizing that there is a lot of empty space in the churches during the week' she says.
Because most of the people attending the clinics are poor and cannot afford treatment, it has been made free. The clients also receive free food support through the World Food Program (WFP).
The program operates two clinics at Mbuya parish church and Banda parish serving over 700 clients with a volunteer force of 65.
72% of these clients are women although there has been a slight but steady increase in the percentage of men.
55 % of the women enrolled are also widows.
Only one client is currently accessing antiretroviral therapy. Most of them cannot afford this life saving therapy but even in these circumstances most of the clients are hopeful.
'I have the faith that one day I will see my children graduate' with tears in her eyes, one woman says.
For additional information, contact:
Email: usdanes@utlonline.co.ug
Telephone: +256-71-259899
Last update: June-20, 2003