Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MASERU630
2006-12-27 10:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR VISITS PEPFAR USG-SUPPORTED HIV/AIDS SITES
how-toVZCZCXRO4408 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0630/01 3611020 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 271020Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2509 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2849
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000630
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV EAID KDEM LT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS PEPFAR USG-SUPPORTED HIV/AIDS SITES
MASERU 00000630 001.2 OF 002
------------
SUMMARY
-------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000630
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV EAID KDEM LT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS PEPFAR USG-SUPPORTED HIV/AIDS SITES
MASERU 00000630 001.2 OF 002
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On November 27, Ambassador June Carter Perry and a team of
U.S. Government HIV/AIDS program staff, including Peace Corps
and RHAP Pretoria, and CDC Lesotho, visited multiple
PEPFAR-supported programs in the District of Leribe. During the
four sites reviewed, the Ambassador offered remarks emphasizing
the ABC approach, women's rights and the democratic process in
light of pending national elections. She traveled to remote
villages and met with caregivers. END SUMMARY.
--------------
PEPFAR PROGRAMS
--------------
2. In August 2006, the United States Government committed US$ 7
million to help Lesotho fight HIV/AIDS under the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Following up on this
support, Ambassador Perry visited multiple program sites in the
District of Leribe on November 27, 2006. The Ambassador was
also accompanied by a team of USG HIV/AIDS program staff from
CARE Lesotho-South Africa, Population Services International
(PSI),PACT, and Peace Corps Lesotho.
--------------
Progress to-date of Visited Programs
--------------
A. CARE
CARE Lesotho-South Africa operates the CARE Letsema Integrated
Community Home Based Care (CHBC) Project. The long-term goal
of this project is to strengthen the ability and capacity among
families and communities to provide integrated care and support
for AIDS-affected households. CARE aims to do this by: 1)
strengthening CHBC providers, reaching both people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and/or orphans and vulnerable children (OVC);
2) providing financial, technical and organizational capacity to
six (6) local CBO implementing partners; and 3) strengthening
economic coping mechanisms and social safety nets within
affected and vulnerable households through the establishment of
voluntary savings and loan (VS&L) groups amongst care givers.
CARE is currently in partnership with local grantees which have
since been provided with organizational development capacity
strengthening. The project has provided 5,948 individuals with
HIV-prevention education, focused on abstinence and "be
faithful" messages; 1,444 individuals are being provided with
home-based care services; and 1,292 orphans and vulnerable
children are being provided with care and support services.
During a dialogue with the Ambassador, caregivers stated the
challenges they face, including stigmatization of patients and
lack of sufficient stipends. The CHBC often use their own
meager funds to feed and transport patients.
B. PACT
With support from a grant signed this month with USAID/RHAP,
PACT operates a community-based support group for people within
the Leribe district living with HIV/AIDS. Three satellite
groups exist within Leribe in addition to the main group based
in Motebang Hospital where U.S. funded personnel and a Peace
Corps Volunteers work collaboratively with the GOL and a
Canadian medical team. The satellite groups are situated in
Peka, a rural village; Maputsoe, an urban border-crossing hub
with a migrant/textile worker population; and Mamohau, a
mountainous village.
In addition to these support services, PACT currently runs
Gardens of Hope, a permaculture garden located at the Motebang
Hospital for growing medicinal herbs and marketing them to the
sick people who come to the clinic. They are also engaged in a
project called SOLID Leribe. The project's key objectives are
the establishment of five new HIV-AIDS support groups in Leribe;
the use of public gatherings to ensure access to HIV counseling
and testing; training of group members to provide a range of
care and support services for existing and newly established
support groups; initiation of a treatment adherence support
program in Leribe that is clinic-based; and the development of
an HIV Support Center to be based at the hospital clinic.
Under a three-year grant signed in April 2006, PACT with support
from USAID/RHAP Society of Women Against AIDS in Africa-Lesotho
(SWAALES),provides care and support services to 300 Orphans and
Vulnerable Children (OVC) in ten villages in the Leribe and
Maseru Districts. Members are taught how to care for those who
have patients (caring for the caregivers) and to provide
home-based care and counseling. The main care and support
services provided through the program are tailored to meet the
educational, health and psychological needs of children. To
MASERU 00000630 002.2 OF 002
date, twenty community-based "monitors" have been trained to
provide care and support to OVC; 385 children have been provided
with nutritional, educational and psycho-social support
services; and several OVC have been referred to the health
center for health care needs.
--------------
Peace Corps, SSH and AGSP Sites
--------------
C. Molapo High School
A US Peace Corps Volunteer has been able to assist Molapo High
School in a sustainable agricultural/permaculture project
through PEPFAR-supported VAST grants. The funds paid for an
irrigation system and shade structures for the school garden.
Due to these improvements, the high school has been able to
conserve water for irrigation and will be able to have
commercial vegetable production and a fruit tree plantation.
They have also established a greenhouse for growing seedlings,
which will help the OVC attending this institution to generate
income. The income already generated from this project has
helped to pay school fees for over 85 OVC. The Ambassador was
greeted by the principal and also presented supplies to one of
the Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship students there.
D. Phelisanong Pitseng with the Disabled
Phelisanong Pitseng with the Disabled was funded under the
Ambassador's Special Self-Help program to construct a
handicrafts center in support of the needs of people with
disabilities and also a building used to provide food and
shelter for this group of victims of discrimination. The main
objective of the group is to improve the lives of its members
and community by supporting and developing skills and creating
income-generating activities. A PCV has assisted the group in
strengthening its administrative skills, community organizing,
skill sharing, marketing, agricultural skills (food security) as
well as strategies for advocacy. The ages of the group members
range from 4 to 40 years and there are 30-40 live-in members,
while the total including members from other villages is 500.
The Chieftaness of the area granted land for the project and she
offered welcoming remarks to the Ambassador who praised the
courage of the villagers and the quality of their products.
--------------
Counseling and Testing
--------------
3. PSI has been involved in prevention and Voluntary Counseling
and Testing (VCT) in Lesotho. In 2001, PSI received funding
from USAID to establish a stand-alone platform in Lesotho and to
launch condoms. The program is focused on high-risk Basotho in
high-risk areas (Maseru and Maputsoe). In 2004, also, through
funding from the Regional HIV/AIDS Program for Southern Africa
(RHAP),PSI expanded into Voluntary Counseling and Testing
(VCT),opening three centers in Maseru, Maputsoe and Mafeteng
sites; the first three sites in the New Start network. In March
2005, PSI received funding from CDC to open two more VCT
centers; in Qacha's Nek and Butha Buthe. PSI currently provides
the following services: Social marketing of condoms and VCT;
site-based and mobile VCT; post-test clubs; peer education and
training; training in basic HIV/AIDS, counseling and testing.
The training also emphasizes abstinence as a preventive
mechanism, a point reinforced by the Ambassador.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. Several US-based international and local organizations have
committed to support Lesotho's efforts by providing
multi-faceted expertise in the combat of the pandemic, namely,
CARE, USAID, CDC, PACT, PSI, and Peace Corps. Likewise, the
local groups have indicated a willingness to grasp the
intervention hitherto provided. The Government of Lesotho also
has indicated a strong leadership role in the fight against this
disease. There is a remarkable and marked response from all
parties involved, but it is clear more capacity building and
funding are needed. END COMMENT.
MURPHY
PERRY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV EAID KDEM LT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS PEPFAR USG-SUPPORTED HIV/AIDS SITES
MASERU 00000630 001.2 OF 002
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On November 27, Ambassador June Carter Perry and a team of
U.S. Government HIV/AIDS program staff, including Peace Corps
and RHAP Pretoria, and CDC Lesotho, visited multiple
PEPFAR-supported programs in the District of Leribe. During the
four sites reviewed, the Ambassador offered remarks emphasizing
the ABC approach, women's rights and the democratic process in
light of pending national elections. She traveled to remote
villages and met with caregivers. END SUMMARY.
--------------
PEPFAR PROGRAMS
--------------
2. In August 2006, the United States Government committed US$ 7
million to help Lesotho fight HIV/AIDS under the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Following up on this
support, Ambassador Perry visited multiple program sites in the
District of Leribe on November 27, 2006. The Ambassador was
also accompanied by a team of USG HIV/AIDS program staff from
CARE Lesotho-South Africa, Population Services International
(PSI),PACT, and Peace Corps Lesotho.
--------------
Progress to-date of Visited Programs
--------------
A. CARE
CARE Lesotho-South Africa operates the CARE Letsema Integrated
Community Home Based Care (CHBC) Project. The long-term goal
of this project is to strengthen the ability and capacity among
families and communities to provide integrated care and support
for AIDS-affected households. CARE aims to do this by: 1)
strengthening CHBC providers, reaching both people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and/or orphans and vulnerable children (OVC);
2) providing financial, technical and organizational capacity to
six (6) local CBO implementing partners; and 3) strengthening
economic coping mechanisms and social safety nets within
affected and vulnerable households through the establishment of
voluntary savings and loan (VS&L) groups amongst care givers.
CARE is currently in partnership with local grantees which have
since been provided with organizational development capacity
strengthening. The project has provided 5,948 individuals with
HIV-prevention education, focused on abstinence and "be
faithful" messages; 1,444 individuals are being provided with
home-based care services; and 1,292 orphans and vulnerable
children are being provided with care and support services.
During a dialogue with the Ambassador, caregivers stated the
challenges they face, including stigmatization of patients and
lack of sufficient stipends. The CHBC often use their own
meager funds to feed and transport patients.
B. PACT
With support from a grant signed this month with USAID/RHAP,
PACT operates a community-based support group for people within
the Leribe district living with HIV/AIDS. Three satellite
groups exist within Leribe in addition to the main group based
in Motebang Hospital where U.S. funded personnel and a Peace
Corps Volunteers work collaboratively with the GOL and a
Canadian medical team. The satellite groups are situated in
Peka, a rural village; Maputsoe, an urban border-crossing hub
with a migrant/textile worker population; and Mamohau, a
mountainous village.
In addition to these support services, PACT currently runs
Gardens of Hope, a permaculture garden located at the Motebang
Hospital for growing medicinal herbs and marketing them to the
sick people who come to the clinic. They are also engaged in a
project called SOLID Leribe. The project's key objectives are
the establishment of five new HIV-AIDS support groups in Leribe;
the use of public gatherings to ensure access to HIV counseling
and testing; training of group members to provide a range of
care and support services for existing and newly established
support groups; initiation of a treatment adherence support
program in Leribe that is clinic-based; and the development of
an HIV Support Center to be based at the hospital clinic.
Under a three-year grant signed in April 2006, PACT with support
from USAID/RHAP Society of Women Against AIDS in Africa-Lesotho
(SWAALES),provides care and support services to 300 Orphans and
Vulnerable Children (OVC) in ten villages in the Leribe and
Maseru Districts. Members are taught how to care for those who
have patients (caring for the caregivers) and to provide
home-based care and counseling. The main care and support
services provided through the program are tailored to meet the
educational, health and psychological needs of children. To
MASERU 00000630 002.2 OF 002
date, twenty community-based "monitors" have been trained to
provide care and support to OVC; 385 children have been provided
with nutritional, educational and psycho-social support
services; and several OVC have been referred to the health
center for health care needs.
--------------
Peace Corps, SSH and AGSP Sites
--------------
C. Molapo High School
A US Peace Corps Volunteer has been able to assist Molapo High
School in a sustainable agricultural/permaculture project
through PEPFAR-supported VAST grants. The funds paid for an
irrigation system and shade structures for the school garden.
Due to these improvements, the high school has been able to
conserve water for irrigation and will be able to have
commercial vegetable production and a fruit tree plantation.
They have also established a greenhouse for growing seedlings,
which will help the OVC attending this institution to generate
income. The income already generated from this project has
helped to pay school fees for over 85 OVC. The Ambassador was
greeted by the principal and also presented supplies to one of
the Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship students there.
D. Phelisanong Pitseng with the Disabled
Phelisanong Pitseng with the Disabled was funded under the
Ambassador's Special Self-Help program to construct a
handicrafts center in support of the needs of people with
disabilities and also a building used to provide food and
shelter for this group of victims of discrimination. The main
objective of the group is to improve the lives of its members
and community by supporting and developing skills and creating
income-generating activities. A PCV has assisted the group in
strengthening its administrative skills, community organizing,
skill sharing, marketing, agricultural skills (food security) as
well as strategies for advocacy. The ages of the group members
range from 4 to 40 years and there are 30-40 live-in members,
while the total including members from other villages is 500.
The Chieftaness of the area granted land for the project and she
offered welcoming remarks to the Ambassador who praised the
courage of the villagers and the quality of their products.
--------------
Counseling and Testing
--------------
3. PSI has been involved in prevention and Voluntary Counseling
and Testing (VCT) in Lesotho. In 2001, PSI received funding
from USAID to establish a stand-alone platform in Lesotho and to
launch condoms. The program is focused on high-risk Basotho in
high-risk areas (Maseru and Maputsoe). In 2004, also, through
funding from the Regional HIV/AIDS Program for Southern Africa
(RHAP),PSI expanded into Voluntary Counseling and Testing
(VCT),opening three centers in Maseru, Maputsoe and Mafeteng
sites; the first three sites in the New Start network. In March
2005, PSI received funding from CDC to open two more VCT
centers; in Qacha's Nek and Butha Buthe. PSI currently provides
the following services: Social marketing of condoms and VCT;
site-based and mobile VCT; post-test clubs; peer education and
training; training in basic HIV/AIDS, counseling and testing.
The training also emphasizes abstinence as a preventive
mechanism, a point reinforced by the Ambassador.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. Several US-based international and local organizations have
committed to support Lesotho's efforts by providing
multi-faceted expertise in the combat of the pandemic, namely,
CARE, USAID, CDC, PACT, PSI, and Peace Corps. Likewise, the
local groups have indicated a willingness to grasp the
intervention hitherto provided. The Government of Lesotho also
has indicated a strong leadership role in the fight against this
disease. There is a remarkable and marked response from all
parties involved, but it is clear more capacity building and
funding are needed. END COMMENT.
MURPHY
PERRY