Prevention
 SCC
monks and field staff provide HIV/AIDS prevention education
through a variety of mediums, including small group discussion
sessions, individual visits and larger group events. A variety
of materials are also used, including educational videos,
booklets and visual cards, which are particularly useful for
working with people who are illiterate. In the last year SCC
has reached over 6,000 households with educational messages.
Care and Support
SCC encourages and educates people through the support of
the monks to take care of their loved ones in their own homes
and communities. The monks provide counselling services, meditation,
social and spiritual support to over 1,400 people living with
or affected by HIV/AIDS at every stage of the disease. This
includes: providing counselling when a person has just discovered
their HIV status; providing home based care if they become
ill; offering spiritual support and blessings when they are
very ill; undertaking funeral ceremonies when a person dies;
and supporting surviving family members after the death of
a loved one. SCC monks also try to meet some of the basic
needs of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, such
as food, clothing, shelter, and access to basic drugs.
SCC also operates shelters in Siem Reap
and Battambang to provide people living with HIV/AIDS temporary
accommodation for when they travel from outlying areas for
medical treatment at provincial hospitals.
Orphans and Vulnerable Children
 The
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cambodia has created thousands of orphans
and vulnerable children and their numbers are increasing.
SCC is supporting over 700 children who have been affected
by HIV/AIDS by visiting them regularly and providing counselling
and psychosocial support. In addition, SCC also provides basic
supplies such as food and clothing to over 400 of these children,
advocates on their behalf to ensure that they are adequately
cared for in their own communities and have access to education.
This involves working with local schools and the families
and neighbours of orphans and vulnerable children, usually
whilst one or both parents are still alive, to plan for their
future.
Stigma and Discrimination
The involvement of monks in the response to
HIV/AIDS is also important in addressing the stigma and discrimination
that is often faced by many people living with HIV/AIDS, and
their families. As monks hold a position of respect in Cambodian
culture, their involvement in HIV/AIDS activities is influential
on the attitudes and practices of the community towards people
living with HIV/AIDS. The monks often advocate on behalf of
people living with HIV/AIDS, by working with and educating
their families, neighbours and communities, to reduce any
stigma or ignorance related to HIV/AIDS. This has resulted
in people living with HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans being able
to remain living in their communities, instead of being forced
to leave, which has occurred the past.
Income Generation
People living with HIV/AIDS and their families often live
in very poor conditions, especially if their health makes
regular work difficult and requires expensive treatment. Children
often suffer the most, and many have to leave school to care
for their sick parents or to earn an income to support the
family. SCC is piloting some small income generation projects
for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, in an
attempt to avoid these situations. Examples of income generating
activities undertaken include vegetable production, motorbike
repairs, sewing and making products
from recycled paper.
Collaboration
Initially it was difficult for SCC to gain the support of
key stakeholders, such as national and provincial Head Monks
and community leaders. However, for the past few years SCC
has worked closely with these stakeholders and now enjoys
full support from Head Monks, the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs. SCC also works
in collaboration with home based care teams, hospitals, clinics
and other HIV/AIDS organisations, and has established an effective
referral system and network. In Phnom Penh, for example, SCC
works closely with home based care and support group teams
such as the Cambodian People Living with AIDS Network (CPN+),
Women’s Organisation for Modern Economy and Nursing
(WOMEN), and Key of Social Health Education Road (KOSHER).
These groups will often invite SCC monks to participate in
home care visits, community education activities and support
group meetings.
Scale Up and Organisational Strengthening
After much consolidation of these activities, SCC is now
in a position to scale up its work, particularly in the new
province of Siem Reap. SCC is also investing in organisational
strengthening, focusing on the broad areas of organisational
management and governance; administration and finance; program
management; and external relations. This also includes building
the capacity of its staff and monks to continually enhance
the quality of services provided and to ensure effective scale
up of activities.
|
