Nawa 50

Jan. 2008

Namibia’s World AIDS Day Theme: “Leadership is Being There to Care” Directly Links to US Government-Supported Behavior Change and Anti-Stigma Projects

Namibians from all sectors gathered once again to commemorate World AIDS Day (WAD) and to promote the importance of national, local and individual leadership in the nation’s fight against HIV/AIDS and its struggle to increase care, support and respect for those infected and affected by the disease. According to the latest HIV Sentinel Survey, HIV prevalence in Namibia appears to have stabilized at around 20% of pregnant women. The Ministry of Health and Social Services noted that “Everyday about 40 people are getting infected with the virus in Namibia.” Against this sobering backdrop, The Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Kamwi, built on the global WAD theme of “Leadership” to focus on the behavior change and anti-stigma messages of Namibia’s Take Control, “Be There to Care” national campaign and the Ministry of Health and Social Service’s behavioral impact campaign, “Proud to be Tested” and “Consistent Condom Use.” The USG provided funding and technical support through USAID to these campaigns. Newly-arrived US Ambassador to Namibia, Dennise Mathieu joined national and civic leaders, development partners and Members of the diplomatic corps at the national commemoration held in the southern Karas region. The commemoration included site visits to programs supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to allow senior policy makers to see local HIV/AIDS projects firsthand.

USAID Mission Director Gary Newton delivered remarks at the Ministry of Education’s WAD event in Windhoek. Newton noted that leadership in the education sector is of particular importance and said that 19 years after the first WAD, the reach of the epidemic into the very fabric of Namibian society is cause for despair but
pointed to the Ministry’s recent HIV/AIDS policy and program initiatives as a cause for hope. Newton said that, “The epidemic is having a significant impact on education, and education can have a significant impact on the epidemic.” With support from the American people, the Ministry of Education has launched a “model Workplace HIV and AIDS Policy for the Education Sector;” a Positive living booklet with practical information and guidance for employees living with HIV/AIDS; and a support group for teachers affected by HIV/AIDS. The Ministry is also developing curriculum materials to teach children how to protect themselves from HIV and to support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to go to school, stay in school and do well in school.

The event culminated in an emotional and powerful way when four HIV positive teachers declared their status and spoke eloquently of the importance of knowing one’s status, being responsible, living positively and fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS for the future of Namibia. As one young woman who has been living with the HIV virus for several years said, “I am standing up today for my nation.”

Walvis Bay Community Commemoration

Deputy Director, Douglas Ball, participated in the judging of an All Schools HIV/AIDS Poster Competition 2007 in the Walvis Bay coastal community made possible through assistance from the PEPFAR program. Posters from the participating schools were displayed in the community’s civic center. “This poster competition in schools is one of the many ways that we can promote awareness about HIV/AIDS in the community, and arm our youth with key prevention messages to reduce risky behaviors,” said Deputy Director Ball. The U.S. government is deeply committed to help Namibia win the fight against HIV/AIDS. U.S. government assistance to Namibia for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment has increased from US$24 million in 2004 to US$91 million in 2007 (N$637 million), and is expected to increase again next year.

United States Senate and House Staff Visit USAID/Namibia PEPFAR Projects

(left to right) Mr. Aaron Adkins, Professional Staff Member, and Ms. Pearl-Alice Marsh, PhD, Senior Professional Staff Member, of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ms. Shannon Smith, Majority Professional Staff Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee speak to Dr. Ishmael Katjitaey regarding PEPFAR support to the Katutura State Hospital which serves the highest number of ART patients in Namibia.

Four staff from the House and Senate Committees responsible for reauthorization of PEPFAR visited Namibia, among other PEPFAR focus countries, to conduct a review of what works and what could be revised to work better to maximize the impact of the USG assistance under PEPFAR.

Staff visiting the Bernard NordKamp Center, one of Catholic Aids Action’s urban centers located in the Katutura area of Windhoek.

Through a series of visits to hospitals, HIV/AIDS and TB clinics, community centers supporting People Living with HIV/AIDS and OVC, VCT facilities and even a prison, the staffers were able to see the good work that PEPFAR assistance is making possible and hear firsthand from Namibian frontline providers and beneficiaries.

Launch of a Comprehensive, National Plan of Action on Behalf of OVC

HIV/AIDS has taken the mother, or father, or both, from approximately 14 million children globally. Global projections indicate that the number of AIDS orphans will increase to 28 million over the next ten years. Although estimates can differ based on the methods used, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare in Namibia, there are approximately 128,000 OVC. Acting Ambassador Eric Benjaminson, at the launch of Namibia’s first National Plan of Action (NPA) for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, noted that the President’s Emergency Plan has allocated over $N98 million for OVC care and support since 2004, with an additional $N60 million planned in 2008. These resources sustain OVCs in many areas: provide care giver training, access to education, economic support, targeted food and nutritional assistance, legal aid, medical care, psychological and emotional counseling, and other direct material support. In 2007, PEPFAR funds directly assisted over 56,500 Namibian OVC. He highlighted that, “Hosting this launch at the seat of Namibia’s government underscores the fact that the needs of Namibia’s orphans and vulnerable children remain a national priority.” He congratulated Namibian officials and partners for the hard work to design a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, coordinated plan to provide care, support and hope for Namibia’s orphaned and vulnerable children. He stressed that the Plan must initiate action, not just rely on words. All sectors that are involved in the support of these children must commit not only to the vision provided by the NPA, but must commit their resources, talent and time. Acting Ambassador Benjaminson assured all parties that, “the U. S. Government remains committed to supporting all of you – with funding, technical assistance, and contractor support -- to realize implementation of this National Plan of Action.”

Computer Donation

USAID HIV/AIDS Specialist, Gabriel Kalungi handed over computer hardware and software to help establish Namibia’s first National OVC Database to the Deputy Minister of Gender, Equality and Child Welfare, Hon. Angelika Muharukua. This system is an essential planning tool that will allow the Ministry of Gender, Equality and Child Welfare, the lead agency for OVC care and support, to register and document the support needed by Namibian OVC and also coordinate resources. This database will help the Government of Namibia, development partners, and Namibian civil society plan and respond more effectively to the needs of OVC.

These new resources, along with the other funding and technical support provided under PEPFAR, will specifically assist non-governmental and community-based organizations that support the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare to decentralize service delivery to the regions, and enhance the capacity of the Ministry to operationalize the National Plan of Action for OVC.

USG OVC Grant Programs

In the last several months, over $N1.6 million in education assistance has been provided to help Namibia’s orphans and vulnerable children to go to school, stay in school and do well in school. US Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr launched the Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship (AGSP) PLUS program in June 2007.

At the launch, the Ambassador said, “Today marks a very important step forward in our combined efforts to increase educational opportunities for Namibian girls. Helping girls to do well in school and to stay in school creates young women who are prepared to meet life’s challenges. It helps them to contribute to economic development and to become a positive influence for future generations.” The AGSP PLUS program builds on the success and the promise of the original U.S. Ambassador’s Girl’s Scholarship Program, which was initiated two years ago. In addition to the support already provided for grades 1-7, AGSP PLUS extends support to grades 8 – 9. Assistance will be similar to that provided under the original AGSP – school uniforms, school supplies, boarding and lodging fees, and counseling support. The program strives for the same results: to give these girls the tools they need to succeed in school, so that they will be eligible to move on to the next level of education.

Also, in June, USAID/ Namibia Mission Director Gary Newton announced the award of an additional N$1.2 million in PEPFAR-funded grants to assist schools and communities to ensure children can pay school fees; have school uniforms, books, and supplies; and are provided nutrition and counseling when needed. 41 schools received grants to expand care and support to children in need. This round of grants increases the total number of orphans and vulnerable learners receiving support from 11,122 in 2005 to 20,850. At the end of 2006, 850 OVC who received support previously from AGSP successfully completed their primary education. Director Newton commended the Ministry of Education, Namibian partners, other NGOs, and communities for the efforts to assist these children. He also stressed that the key to turning the tide of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its effect on families is prevention of new infections.

In closing he said, “We offer our respect, admiration, and support to the children. We deeply admire the way they are facing the challenges to getting a good quality education; they are facing these challenges with determination, courage and fortitude.” In October, the U.S. Government donated grants totaling more than N$ 442,000 to help 6,700 OVC in 53 primary schools identified as vulnerable by the Ministry of Education’s regional offices. The schools receiving these grants are themselves vulnerable because they have fewer resources with which to maintain – and improve – educational quality. These grants will help fill a critical resource gap faced by schools which have a high proportion of orphans and vulnerable children. Namibian education officials were also urged to find ways to routinely reimburse these schools for school fees they can not collect because learners who are OVC cannot afford to pay them.

Youth Supporting Youth: HERO Youth Ambassadors Work in Namibian Communities

The Help At Risk Orphans and Vulnerable Children (HERO) program, funded by the U.S. Government through USAID and the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), works to support projects for San children. The San people were Southern Africa’s “first people.” Today, they are among the most marginalized and poorest communities in Namibia. HERO currently works with Urban Trust of Namibia (UTN) and UNESCO to support 12 pilot schools in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions. Each school is provided with a comprehensive “HERO Package” of support that includes feeding programs, repair and construction of classrooms, installation of toilets and clean water systems, the provision of books and school resources, and visits by nurses and counselors.

The school improvements include building and outfitting classrooms, dormitories, kitchens, playground, toilets, and washrooms. The program also provides teacher training, uniforms for all students, and a nourishing year-round feeding program. In addition, a four kilometer-long clean water piping project will be installed. This water system will be the first of its kind in this area of Namibia to be built entirely from private funding.

Over the last two years, 24 American students called “Youth Ambassadors” have come to Namibia to volunteer on these projects. At the launch of this year’s program, Acting Ambassador Eric Benjaminson, stated that, “HERO gives Americans an opportunity to express our inherent generosity and demonstrate our interest in and support for people living outside our own borders.” He added that, “HERO directly supports two of my Government’s top priorities in Namibia – to support our partners in the Ministry of Education in improving basic education, and to assist the Government and NGOs to expand care, support and education to Orphans and Vulnerable Children.” Procter & Gamble, a U.S.-based private sector company, has joined USAID and UNA-USA to provide additional support and funding as part of a five-year commitment to help HERO improve the lives of the orphans and vulnerable children. A total of US$2.9 million (N$20. 3 million) to support the various school based projects is expected to be provided.

Other News of Note From the Last Several Months

In the area of HIV/AIDS:

- The launch of the innovative media campaign focused on relationships which is managed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Take Control initiative, and supported by NAWA Life. The campaign has a prevention focus – what we can do to change behavior and interrupt transmission and also deals with highly sensitive issues about sex, relationships, trust, abuse, and fear.

- Workshops to aid with the development of the Ministry of Education’s groundbreaking HIV/AIDS Wellness in the Workplace policy, including a workshop to review a teacher/educator survey on Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs (KAP) regarding HIV/AIDS.

- A launch of the Pharmacy Management Information System and a US donation of computer hardware and software to all 13 regions of Namibia. This network will facilitate data collection and analysis, and improve tracking of who needs which medicines, how and where to obtain them, and when and what to re-order to meet predicted needs.

- The first Palliative Care training of nurses in Namibia.

In the area of TB prevention and treatment (Namibia has one of the highest TB infection and HIV/IDS co-infection rates in the world):

- The launch of the TB COMBI – or Communication for Behavioural Impact Initiative of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. It seeks to raise awareness about tuberculosis and promote positive behaviour change; it works to ensure those with TB symptoms seek treatment early and, once a diagnosis is made, complete the full course of treatment.

- The first-ever country wide training on the management of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis (TB). Participants were encouraged to become leaders in the fight against TB and “to be the people behind the statistics to decrease the number of patients that transfer out or default from their TB regimen.”

In the area of education:

- The annual Namibian Readathon which occurs in all 13 regions of Namibia simultaneously with various activities such as public readings, story-telling, puppet shows, reading corners and various reading skills competitions to highlight and encourage reading.

- A donation of computer equipment to the Ministry of Education’s Education Management Information System to facilitate the collection, dissemination and verification of key information on Namibia’s learners and schools.

- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Namibian Government officials and the donor community committing support to the Education and Training Sector Improvement Program (ETSIP).

In the areas of Democracy and Governance:

- A civil society training and workshop organized by the Namibia Institute for Democracy that served as a platform for the exchange of experiences, discussions on challenges, the sharing of lessons learned and strategic advice among representatives from a wide range of government, civil society and non-governmental organizations.