The resource center for the Kitise community in Kenya has opened its doors.The centre serves some 9,000+ youth - both in and out of school - providing them opportunities to be actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The young people also have the opportunity to undergo VCT - voluntary counseling and testing - for HIV at the centre which is furnished with computers, internet and a modern library.
The centre also provides recreational facilities such as football, netball, volleyball play grounds and sports gear to the youth. In addition, training facilities are available for the youth in areas of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, skills development and income-generating activities. Eventually, the centre envisions a reduction of idleness among youth - a factor that contributes to HIV infections, provision of quality youth-friendly services (i.e. VCT and reproductive health) affording the youth opportunities for skills development.
Dorcas Aid supports the centre, located in the Kitise sub-location, District of Makueni, through its HIV/AIDS community project which took off in 2007. This project focuses on reducing the spread of HIV, as well as improving the care for the infected and affected people in Kitise community.
Currently, the project supports 480 people living with HIV/AIDS to access ARVs (anti-retroviral treatment), medical care for opportunistic diseases, food and counseling. In addition, 600 orphaned and vulnerable children are provided with basic necessities, as well as educational support (school fees, uniforms and materials).
Dorcas Aid supports water and sanitation, housing and HIV/AIDS in Kitise Community since 2005.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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