AIDS Committee of London partners with West Africa AIDS Foundation

Empowering Positive Change

An International partnership between the West Africa AIDS Foundation (WAAF) and the AIDS Committee of London (ACOL) nurtured & supported by Canadian Crossroads International

Who We Are

Canadian Crossroads International (CCI) brings individuals, organizations and communities in Canada and developing countries into partnerships to reduce poverty, to fight AIDS and to assert women’s rights globally. CCI has created and supported over 30 international partnerships between community-based organizations. To these relationships CCI brings experience in international partnership, project management, training in intercultural relations and communications, as well as some funding to support exchanges between organizations.

Elizabeth from CCI, Beatrice from WAAF, Peter from ACOL

The AIDS Committee of London (ACOL) has been the primary provider of HIV/AIDS prevention and support services for London and the surrounding counties for over 20 years. Support services include: case management, counselling, advocacy, practical assistance, social/support events and workshops. In partnership with local Health Units, ACOL’s prevention services include the provision of workshops, presentations and the distribution of harm reduction information and materials to local populations at increased risk and those that serve them. ACOL’s programs have grown to meet the changes in epidemiology, treatment and care.

The West Africa AIDS Foundation (WAAF) was established in 1998 to provide HIV/AIDS services in Ghana. Through its outreach initiatives and the work of its sister agency, the International Health Care Centre (IHCC), WAAF has committed itself to working with people from HIV/AIDS-prevalent communities, especially youth, women, children and people in palliative care hospices. Peer education, Voluntary Counselling & Testing, outreach, workplace and employee training are a few examples of the prevention and education work of WAAF. Since its establishment, the International Health Care Centre has provided quality clinical, medical, support and hospice care to over 4,500 people living with HIV/AIDS.

How We Met

In their search for a Canadian partner for WAAF, CCI met with ACOL through the assistance of the Ontario AIDS Network. WAAF’s objectives for an international partner were best met by ACOL’s work and mandate.

ACOL saw the value of this partnership because of the challenge they face in addressing the HIV infection rate amongst vulnerable African and Caribbean newcomers in London and the surrounding counties. A 1-year partnership agreement was signed in August 2004 by all 3 agencies with the objective to get to know each other and evaluate the benefits of a longer term partnership in the future.

The First Year

Being that Eddie Donton, Executive Director of WAAF, had visited ACOL in May 2004, it was decided that Peter Hayes, Executive Director of ACOL would travel to Ghana for a 2-week visit in Nov/Dec 2004. Peter met with the staff, volunteers and service users of WAAF, learning about their work, lives, challenges and successes. Bringing cards written by female PHAs (Persons with HIV/AIDS) from the London area, a connection between PHA communities was quickly established.

Client writing a note to London PHA

Kakra Ankobia, Programs Director from WAAF, traveled to London in March 2005, for a 3 month placement with ACOL to learn about their harm reduction initiatives and provide outreach into the local African communities. This connection provided ACOL staff with an increased awareness of cultural context and avenues through which HIV education and support could be provided.

Kakra Ankobia

What We Learned

Although WAAF’s and ACOL’s missions are directed to a local HIV response, the global significance of their work was appreciated as a way of contributing to, learning from and collaborating with international best practices.

WAAF has a large and involved community of PHAs who come to them for support, treatment, practical assistance and volunteering. Stigma and discrimination is high, seen in the number of PHAs who are shunned by family/community, lose their income and are left without the means to raise their children or afford treatment. If available. Their desire to contribute to their community and use their skills to support themselves has led them to develop income generating projects like bead work and sewing initiatives. ACOL’s work with the Ghana PHAxshas also brought greater light on the stigma and discrimination that is still experienced by PHAs in the London area.

Positive Living Association making red ribbons

Statistics have demonstrated the lack of knowledge in Canadian youth when it comes to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Appreciating the success of WAAF’s youth peer-educator programs, ACOL is focusing on working with Health Units and educators to develop a peer-driven program based on WAAF’s program and other successful peer driven initiatives.

The Greater Involvement of People living with or affected by HIV/AIDS (GIPA) principle has been adopted by a number of countries and organizations as a best practice and standard for an effective HIV/AIDS response. Although this principle led the previous work of ACOL and WAAF, the partnership has brought about a renewed commitment to GIPA for both agencies. Involving those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the development, implementation and evaluation of WAAF and ACOL’s programs and services is paramount in our future direction and the effectiveness of our response. In order to increase and support PHA involvement, both agencies are developing programs that increase the capacity and skills of PHAs to contribute effectively.

Our 3 Year Agreement

In Dec. 2005 WAAF, ACOL and CCI developed a 3-year partnership agreement to continue to work together on specific objectives. These objectives were based on the things we could learn from each other and things we would like to learn about together. The goals of this 3-year commitment are:

1. Build solidarity between those living with HIV/AIDS in London and Ghana, increasing their self-sufficiency and decreasing their isolation
2. Engage youth to take active roles in their health promotion and HIV prevention
3. That the engaged youth and people living with HIV/AIDS become agents for social change in their communities

 

Projects and Activities

To achieve these goals, CCI, WAAF and ACOL have a number of projects being developed and presently underway. They include initiatives under the following themes:

• Using participatory media to present the issues of sitgma within communities and support the development of a community driven response
• Pilot and develop income generating projects that support self-sufficiency of PHAs and build their capacity to contribute to their community
• Hire a female Women’s Outreach Worker at WAAF and ACOL to develop capacity building and skills development with female PHAs and women’s organizations
• Develop and implement a Youth Peer Education Program in London area secondary schools based on best practices
• Support leadership and skills development in PHAs that increase their ability andr capacity to contribute effectively to the local and global response to HIV/AIDS

How You Can Help

ACOL, CCI and WAAF are all not for profit, non government organizations and charitable businesses. The projects, initiatives and exchanges that are part of this initiative are funded by CCI and through funding sources that support international development.

There are some costs that are not funded, but necessary d iif our work is going to be successful. Donations can be made to CCI in support of this partnership. Donated funds would go toward:

• purchasing medications
• funds to pay for antiretroviral treatment
• resources that support Income Generating Projects (i.e. sewing machines)
• transportation to access treatment and provide outreach services
• nutritional supplements and medical supplies
• staff and volunteer development

You can also donate directly to WAAF and ACOL to support their HIV/AIDS programs and services in your community. You can find out further information by contacting these organizations through these contacts: