Kiyita Family Alliance for Development (KIFAD) is a registered indigenous/local Non Governmental Organization, Registration Statute, 1989, Certificate Number S. 5914/5184.  It seeks to respond to the causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS and poverty. The headquarters are in the Nansana Parish in Wakiso District, Uganda.

In light of the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS and its adverse socioeconomic impact, the need for establishment of a proactive community led initiative to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of AIDS was foreseen and Kiyita Family Alliance for Development (KIFAD) was initiated in 2001.

KIFAD is a membership organization with 201 members who constitute a general assembly. KIFAD has a Board of Directors with seven members (of which four are male and three are female). The Secretariat, which is also the technical arm of the organization, is headed by a full-time Programme Manager. The Programme Manager, also known as the Chief Executive, works with three other staff: an HIV/AIDS Coordinator, a Project Administrator; and an Accountant. KIFAD has seven volunteers who are dedicated to support HIV/AIDS initiatives in the community.

Mission Statement

Inspired by God’s love for humanity, KIFAD stands out to challenge and respond to causes and consequences of disease, poverty and ignorance with a commitment to mobilize communities to solve their own problems and live with dignity.

Organizational Goal

To contribute to increased access to comprehensive HIV/ AIDS treatment, home based care and support to PLWHA in Wakiso District.

Organizational Objectives

• To increase care and support to people infected and affected by HIV / AIDS in order to mitigate the effects of the epidemic.
• To strengthen the coping of PLWHA families to progressively become self reliant for economical sustainability of their families.
• To build the internal capacity of KIFAD for effective and sustainable programme design and implementation.
• To improve access to food among families / households, infected and affected by HIV / AIDS.

Organizational Activities

Currently, KIFAD is directly involved in the implementation of the following activities:

• Community HIV/AIDS care, support and referral services;
• Community mobilization towards HIV / AIDS initiatives;
• IEC Material Production and distribution;
• Counseling to HIV / AIDS infected and affected;
• Home visits to HIV / AIDS infected and affected;
• Support to OVC quality education;
• In partnership with specialized and credited organizations, we conduct VCT;
• Provision of material support to the most vulnerable;
• Condom distribution.

Core Values

• Justice
• Participation
• Empowerment
• Accountability and transparency
• Commitment

Primary Target

• Orphans Vulnerable Children (OVC)
• People Living With HIV / AIDS (PLWHA)

Funding

This is to appeal to local and international community to support KIFAD’s cause. You can support through the following ways.

• Support financially, technically or materially.
• Visit and work with us on the projects.
• Networking and information sharing.
• Giving donations and grants.

Situational Analysis

The HIV/AIDS Situation in Uganda

HIV/AIDS has been an epidemic in Uganda for over two decades. AIDS was initially referred to as the “SLIM” –disease. These were firstly reported in 1982 in the Rakai-District. At that point of time, close to 1 million people have died, leaving behind approximately 1 million orphans and 1 million People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Uganda is one of the few African countries where rates of HIV infections have been declined, which is regarded as a rare success in a continent facing a severe AIDS epidemic. Uganda’s policies were able to bring the HIV prevalence down from around 15% in the early 1990’s to 5% in 2001.

However, the latest trend indicates an increase. The national prevalence reported, has augmented up to 5.0 – 6.7% in the period of 2001-2006. The epidemic has infection levels highest among women (7.5% compared to 5.0% among men), according to a national survey conducted in 2004-2005. Currently, the variation in prevalence stands at 5.7% at rural areas and 10.0% in urban areas. Significant factors of influence are the rapidly growing population, which has a total fertility rate of 6.7, combined with a stable HIV incidence rate, resulting in an increasing number of people acquiring HIV each year.

District Profile

According to the 2002 Population and Housing Census, the Wakiso District has experienced a rapid population growth over the past years. The population increased of 562,209 to 907,988 persons in the period 1991-2002, combined with an increase of the population growth rate from 3,7% in 1991 to 4.1% in 2002, exceeding the national average of 3,2% of 2002. Wakiso was ranked third in the country after Mbarara and Kampala. The population density has reached on average 323 persons per km², but is unevenly distributed. The estimated population of 2007 consisted of 1.1 million people. Considering the annual growth rate of 4,1%, the Wakiso District is expected to reach a population of 1.4 million people in 2012.

In addition, Wakiso District has a high fertility rate of 7.2 which has contributed to the current youthful age-structure and rapidly increasing population growth rate. The high fertility rate is a result of low levels of education, low social status of women in particular, early marriages, the low contraceptive usage, the high infant mortality rate, poor health seeking behavior, as well as cultural and religious beliefs.

In Wakiso District, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS has stagnated between 6.1 – 6.5% in the period 2001-2004. The NSBS 2004 indicated that the central region (where this proposed project will be implemented) has a higher prevalence rate, of 8.5%, compared to the national average of 6,7%. However, AIDS case reporting continues to suffer from either underreporting or absence of records and therefore it is probable that these prevalence rates are higher than what has been presented.

In response to this, a number of strategies have been laid out and implemented to prevent new infections and provide care and support services to those already infected and affected. These strategies include Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), Treatment of Opportunistic Infections (OIs) and increased access to Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Problem Statement

Low Utilization of VCT and ART Services

Utilization of ART services is poor in Nansana, Nabweru and Wakiso Sub counties.  According to the DDHS Wakiso District, this is caused by limited information about ART services and the remote location of service sites. Other factors include negative attitudes of service providers, inadequate HIV/AIDS testing facilities, stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. Voluntary Counseling and Testing is a very important entry point for ART, meaning that without an HIV test, a patient is denied the access to ART. However, according to the report of the just concluded VCT Exercise (KIFAD and AIDS Information Centre Kampala May 2008), from the area of operation, have indicated that there is low uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing. Some of the obstacles to seeking these services include: fear of test results, fear of consequences (especially from spouses), long distances to VCT sites, ignorance of VCT sites, fear to be seen by community members (Stigma) and lack of a cure to HIV/AIDS. Similar fears were expressed as obstacles for accessing Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission (PMTCT) services from Wakiso Health Centre IV. Other barriers noted for limiting access have included low knowledge about ART and the fatalistic attitude and belief that treating AIDS is a waste of time. Therefore, provision of ARV’s by the Health Centre will enhance the health seeking behavior of the primary audience and will contribute to an increase in the utilization of Anti Retroviral Therapy services.

Low Household Income

The rapidly increasing population of Uganda, coupled with a low resource base, has put significant pressure on the delivery of basic social services, particularly to children and PLWHA. Poverty remains high and its prevalence varies by population group, region, and rural/urban divide.

High levels of poverty prevent many PLWHA from accessing treatment. Many cannot afford two meals a day and are hence unable to meet the nutritional requirements that accompany treatment. The emergence and spread of HIV/AIDS in Wakiso District has exacerbated many of the problems associated with poverty. Instead of saving and investing in income generating projects, families have the tendency to sell home property, such as land, animals, bicycles and other valuable items, to pay for the patients’ treatment.

Household Food Insecurity

Malnutrition associated with HIV/AIDS affects families when adults become too debilitated to work steadily and are unable to provide for themselves and their dependants. Families and PLWHA do not have sufficient information on how to provide good nutritional care at all stages of the infection, resulting in a poor response to treatment.  HIV/AIDS combined with food insecurity has negatively impacted the livelihoods of PLWHA. Most households experience chronic food shortages to the extent that some families can afford only one meal every couple of days. Therefore, widespread chronic malnutrition severely affects women, children and PLWHA.

Inaccessibility of Counseling and Home Based Care for PLWHA

Counseling, home based care, and psychosocial support are indispensable tools in the treatment, care, and support of PLWHA. The psychological impact of seeing people suffering and dying make children, PLWHA caretakers, and their immediate family members live a life of depression, anger, fear, and guilt caused by parental illness or death. Due to the inaccessibility of counseling, home based care, and psychosocial support services, the psychological impact on children, PLWHA, and their families has not been sufficiently addressed.