Beza Posterity Development Organization (BPDO) was established in 2000 with the purpose of combating the impact of HIV/AIDS in our community. At that time, the virus was the leading cause of death for countless children and young adults and there was a lot of stigma and discrimination surrounding social and cultural activities in the operation area. A dedicated group of young people who had been affected by the epidemic founded this organization. To reverse this situation, BPDO has collaborated with the community, CBOs, local partners, government stakeholders, international NGOs, religious organizations, PEPFAR, and other funding organizations – these concerted efforts brought a significant impact on the lives of the community through the delivery of comprehensive HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment services at community settings.
According to the Ethiopian national road map from 2018-2020, HIV prevalence has remarkably decreased from 3.3% in 2000 to 0.9% in 2017. Additionally, AIDS-related deaths decreased from 83,000 in 2000 to 15,600 in 2017.
HIV testing in hotspot areas, Dessie, Ethiopia
BPDO is a grassroots organization established to respond to community needs pertaining to HIV services. BPDO is not working with the community as an external body rather as part of the community. BPDO is playing its role with passion, enthusiasm, and with the spirit of belongingness. BPDO always strives to ensure meaningful engagement using a human-centered approach and prioritize the hardest-to-reach population sub-groups. As a result, BPDO can put a bold footprint in achieving HIV epidemic control.
BPDO provides a wide range of services for the community including awareness raising, condom promotion and distribution, PrEP community distribution, GBV prevention and mitigation, HIV testing and self-test kit distribution, STI screening and treatment, FP counseling and referral, TB screening and referral, cervical cancer screening and treatment, and community ART service.
BPDO is known for teamwork and social mobilization. We have organized multiple community outreach events and, as a result, a large number of the community came to get HIV services and know their HIV status. The team was excited when the community’s awareness was raised and service uptake enhanced.
In the first years of establishment, the club members were excited to serve people living with HIV who had been discriminated against in the community by collecting money and feeding and buying clothes for them. The clients were thrilled with the voluntary services. These are BPDO’s unforgettable and fondest memories.
An ART provider counseling a patient on PrEP
Beza Posterity Development Organization, Ethiopia
Years as a USAID/PEPFAR partner: 13 (10 as a sub, 3 as a prime)