Goa State OVC convention on HIV and AIDS

[Guest guest]

Goa State OVC convention on HIV and AIDS for NGOs and Heath Care Providers with

the theme " " Empowering children for HIV and AIDS Mitigation " was organized on

5th, 6th, and 7th May 2009 by World Vision India joining hands with GSACS and

Zindagi Gao at Assembly Hall Porvorim, Panjim, Goa.

The objectives of the state convention were to strengthen efforts for

advocacy for child rights, child protection; building and sustaining

strategic alliance with Government, NGOs, CBOs, PLHIV and FBOs and to raise

concerns of orphans and vulnerable children. Around 117 Participants from 27

NGOs from India attended the 3 days convention.

Dr. Rajnanda Desai, Director DHS on her key note address stressed on

community participation involving collaboration of different bodies and people

across the board. She lauded especially the work and contribution of nuns and

other congregations who are involved in the efforts for the welfare of OVCs.

Mrs Manisha Naik – Chairperson Goa State Social Welfare Department

congratulated the organisers for organizing this significant convention.

She related the organisers like a sculpture who chip away pieces from a marble

block and shape up an idol from it. In the same way sculpture needs dedication

and concentration for creating one’s artistic marvel; people work in the area

need to give concentration and dedication on their work.

Dr Pradeep Padwal, Project Director of Goa State AIDS Control Society

(GSACS) expressed concern over the fact that on an average 3-4 new HIV

infections are detected in every day in Goa and there are nearly 40 children who

are orphaned by AIDS.

Mrs Sushma, National Coordinator for HIV AIDS, World Vision India said that WVI

has its operation in 24 states involved in addressing a wide range of social

problems such as social justice, poverty alleviation and mitigating the problems

of families affected with and infected by HIV. She also added that over one lakh

people are provided with prevention, care and support and capacity building

services in its HIV AIDS Sector.

Mr. Azad, President of Zindagi, Goa expressed his concern over increasing number

of children living with HIV AIDS and children orphaned in Goa. He added the

network of people living with HIV AIDS is the platform to provide psychosocial

support and build confidence among those affected by HIV AIDS.

Mrs Asha, Advocacy officer INP+ presented her own struggle in caring for her

child and urged more NGOs and intervention to support needs of

children.

Mrs Padma, Program Manager (Policy) from HIV AIDS Alliance India explained about

home and community based care and support for Children affected with HIV

undertaken by them in India. Based on her interaction with guardians of OVCs she

felt that current programs are inadequate in meeting the real needs of these

children.

Other key NGOs like, FXB India- Suraksha, Presentation Society, Positive People

Goa, TNNP+, and Buds of Christ, Chennai, shared their experiences and best

practices in their work for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Mr. Balurkar, Secretary Goa State Social Welfare Department shared various

Government schemes available from his department. Mr. Reni , National

Advocacy Director, WV India urged on building capacity of OVC children so that

they can advocate themselves for their rights.

Master Anoop (name changed) representative of OVC, presented a charter of

demands of OVCs, prepared by children at the meeting. He appeals to adults to

hear and act the voices of children. Later, Children’s Comic exhibition was

inaugurated by the Dr. Pradeep Padwal, Project Director GSACS and he initiated

the signature campaign in pledging commitment to the concerns of orphans and

vulnerable children in India.

Regards

e-mail: worldvision@...>