To support individuals affected with AIDS through financial initiatives and through the spread of information about AIDS.
Of the 25 million people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, those who have fled war are particularly vulnerable. Yet at the same time, the refugee populations with whom FORGE works are often amongst the first from their countries to have heard of the virus, and are strategically poised to spread life-saving information when they return home. The Mwange FACE AIDS Project takes advantage of this opportunity to spread knowledge and information about AIDS and how it can avoided. It also facilitates support groups in which individuals affected by the epidemic come together to assist each other financially and psychologically. By working to reduce its spread and impact, the FACE AIDS Project empowers refugees to take a stand against this devastating global epidemic.
To decrease disease and pregnancy-related deaths by providing access to health information and resources in Mwange Refugee Camp.
In Mwange, one small clinic serves over 20,000 people. Overcrowding and frequent shortages of medications and supplies lead many refugees to avoid being treated for their illnesses, and pregnant women tend to be particularly hesitant to seek medical attention. The Mwange Health Center acts as a medical liaison – disseminating information about healthy living and disease preventative while building knowledge about common ailments and their symptoms. The Center works closely with the local clinic, referring people who need medical attention and dispelling myths and fears. With a particular focus on women’s health, the Center’s workshops on maternal and reproductive health are always booked with long waiting lists of women eager to learn about their bodies and how to keep their children healthy and safe.
To decrease the incidence of unnecessary illness, death and disease in Kala camp through educating adults and children about healthy living and disease prevention.
Knowledge about how to build healthy families, live healthy lives, and treat and avoid illness is among the most highly-sought after information in the refugee camps in which FORGE works. The refugee staff of Kala Health Services takes a holistic approach to health education by teaching about disease and illness by focusing on human anatomy and body systems. From this solid foundation, students learn about how diseases are contracted, spread, and avoided. Serving more than 800 people each month, Kala Health Services has seen marked improvements in the camp’s knowledge about caring for and maintaining their own personal health. This knowledge will be especially important upon return to Congo, where many people have no access to formal health services.
To improve access to medical care and health education in one of the most populated refugee communities in Meheba Settlement, which has not had a working clinic for more than five years.
Geographically, Block G in Meheba Refugee Settlement finds itself at a drastic disadvantage in terms of receiving health services. Located at the back of the camp and far from any clinics, the refugees of Block G feel isolated and underserved when it comes to medical attention. When FORGE brought this community together to determine what they needed, the answer was clear: an opportunity for healthier lives. After an extensive needs assessment the refugee project leader explains that, "the findings showed clearly that the population of all ages and classes suffered pain of lack of medical services." Thus they designed the FORGE Health Service project, which will enable patients who can’t make it to the nearest clinic get basic medicines, allow pregnant women to get delivery assistance by trained midwives; and give children access to the care that they need. This project will help all 2200 people in this block to live longer and healthier lives.
