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Exploding HIV infection rate sees Russian officials recognise World Vision’s prevention work
14 Sep 2009 13:20:26 GMT
 Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe/ Central Asia office
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A girl with HIV lives in a shelter run by a dynamic doctor. She is one of many abandoned by HIV positive mothers every year in Russia. Photo by John Schenk.
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A girl with HIV lives in a shelter run by a dynamic doctor. She is one of many abandoned by HIV positive mothers every year in Russia. Photo by John Schenk.
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

Background

•  AIDS in E.Europe/C.Asia

•  AIDS pandemic

•  Health and diseases

•  Children

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As the number of children born to HIV-positive mothers in the Russian Federation grows and HIV infection rapidly spreads from injecting drug users to the wider population, Russian officials have given special recognition to World Vision's HIV prevention programme in the country.

The Russian Federation's National AIDS centre specifically applauded the INGO for the work of its training coordinators and the 'Channels of Hope' methodology. This methodology targets specialists and religious leaders from the Russian Orthodox Church & Muslim communities across the Russian Federation and trains them on how to effectively educate young people and adults on HIV and AIDS prevention.

The Academician and Head of the Centre, Professor Beliakov wrote in his letter of recognition: 'This training….is based on the principles of humanism and serves not only the HIV response, but also stimulates mutual understanding, respect, friendship and peace-building among people'.

Empowering local churches in their HIV and AIDS response is at the heart of the prevention programme, which combines World Vision's 'Channels of Hope' and 'Abstinence and Risk avoidance for youth' (ARK) teaching methodology.

The Channels of Hope programme aims to mobilise and empower faith communities to respond to HIV and AIDS issues through process-driven workshops for faith leaders. ARK aims to provide youth with knowledge related to life values and goals, make them aware of risky behaviour and also give them the skills to protect themselves by teaching them, for example, how to say 'no' and resist pressure from peers.

'Apart from demonstrating World Vision's willingness to work ecumenically and with other faith and secular partners, this recognition also implies that World Vision will have greater access to various target groups through the AIDS centre and the centre will also use the Channels of Hope methodology as part of its work', explains Rev. Christo Greyling, World Vision's Global Advisor for HIV & Partnerships with churches and Faith Based Organisations.

Through the work of Russian Orthodox priests and Muslim leaders, Channels of Hope specifically targets hundreds of at-risk young people. Nearly 80% of all Russians living with HIV and AIDS are under age 30, putting Russia's HIV epidemic among the world's youngest (1) .

The epidemic is also becoming 'feminised', with 33,5% of all registered HIV cases now among women (2).

More than 30,000 children were born to HIV positive mothers in 2009 (3). The rate of babies abandoned by HIV positive mothers has decreased to 20% (4); down from previous years , but is still unacceptably high.

In addition to coordinating training across the regions, World Vision will implement a three-year Swiss-funded project targeting Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the St Petersburg region, employing the two teaching methodologies and trained facilitators.

Sources:


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Background information

Briefings
AIDS in E.Europe/C.Asia - [Who works where]
AIDS pandemic - [Who works where]

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