OVC REgional Children Consultation--World Vision India -Grace program

[Guest guest]

Since 1999 World Vision India - Grace Program Chennai (Grass root response To

AIDS through Care and Education support) has been addressing the issues Of

HIV/AIDS in Chennai city.

Our focus is Guilding the capacities of Children and women living with HIV to

live a self sustained dignified life with good health.

Children's  experience  of  living  with HIV and /or being part of a family

affected  by  HIV  provides  an  in  depth understanding of the reality and

issues  that  surround  HIV AIDS.

While children are expected to cope with harsh  situations, their own desires,

ambitions, social and emotional needs cannot  be   ignored.  They need support

to acquire the skills and knowledge

in their own world, without undermining their importance in decision-making and

preparing for their future.

In order to gain a deeper understanding of issues that affect children, a

three-day regional consultation was organised from 9th to 11h July   2010

at St. International  center,Chennai.

The main objectives of the consultation included; a platform for expression by

children on issues such as their health, stigma,education, nutrition, disclosure

and Succession plan, to sensitize children on their rights, their participation

and their Protection and to advocate the concerns to other stake-holders,

especially in HIV programs

The consultation with children was for three days and on the final day

children presented their issues to the key stakeholders.

The consultation brought in issues around treatment, special concerns of

semi-orphans and orphans, disclosure and adolescent specific –sexual health

and positive prevention.

The group also brought a positive experience from ART center functioning in

Tamabarm hospital where the staffs are more children -friendly. In their

recommendation, children expressed for a replicable models of the child friendly

environment in other hospitals.

Disclosure was also another topic that was heavily discussed and the other one

was the need for education young adolescents, especially children living with

HIV on the sexuality and positive prevention.

The need for nutritional support and allocation of seats in professional

colleges for children from affected families were also presented.

The key guests for the consultation included the stake holders from

Tamilnadu State AIDS control society (TANSACS), AIDS Prevention and control

(APAC), Community Health Education Society (CHES), Indian Network for People

living with HIV (INP+), Network for Chennai people living with HIV (NCP+), South

India Positive network (SIP+), Positive friends welfare Association (PFWA+) .

Daisy ,

Network Coordinator HIV/AIDS

Daisy | Coordinator – HIV & AIDS | World Vision India

Phone No: +91-44- 2480 7000 | Mobile:+91-94440 13390 | www.worldvision.in

Postal Address:16, VOC Main Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024

e-mail: Daisy_@...