Navjeevan Seva Mandal was HCDI’s first partner to venture into the field of HIV/AIDS in 1997 when it started a child care and community development project in Delhi
The project began with one worker to provide care and support to children of HIV positive parents. A year went by in establishing contacts, discussion and workshops. Within a few months home based care was initiated for support to children in the form of tuition fees, uniforms, and nutritive food while with the family.
In 1999 institution based care was started with affected children being placed in hostels for education. At the turn of the century both programmes were strengthened and micro-credit was started but by 2003 the clusters were decentralized and SHGs were formed for both affected and infected. Capacity building became a very strong input.
In 2005 peer education, volunteerism and strengthening of youth organizations was focused upon while in the following year life education was given to children and women and partnership building was promoted. In the last 4 years, counseling towards a positive life style and bringing about behavioral changes and working in harmony or development concerns and empowerment have been the principle thrust areas. Today the work has a four fold constructive dimensions – rehabilitation, development empowerment and partnership building through networking under which the impact of each activity filters down to the child for good.
Under home-based care, counseling is given prime importance. Signs and symptoms are checked and regular ART treatment is ensured along with follow up. Access to services is provided, especially counseling for depression management and restoration of high self-esteem through the skill education. This has helped to lower the negative impact of HIV/AIDS. Facilities are provided through linkages, referral, services, partnership building and resource mobilization. SHGs are strengthened to ensure family income and they are now in values of social justice, equality and moral support.
The right based approach was implemented. Knowledge of the legal support services has increased and there is a distinct change in attitude; there are more positively, more acceptances in families where there was discrimination and stigmatization. Friction in the family has been mitigated and there is a more coordinated relationship between husband and wife, parents and children and with in-laws. Youth has not only been given emotional security and moral support but also guidance training in small scale business.
A special venture was the “Hands Together for Development Association” wherein a monthly contribution of Rs. 10/- per head and Rs. 10/- in crisis, is made. The idea was that such participation would increase love and affection especially in time of need. In the coming years, all PLHAs will become contributors for self-sustained care and support.
