Home | Health | Aid - Disasters News
Approximately 1,050 families affected by HIV and AIDS in Rwanda and Uganda are on their way to becoming economically self-sufficient through Francois-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) International's Village Model Program. A recent analysis made for World AIDS Day showed that FXB raised almost $1.75 million in 2006, which will support 13 villages in Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. "FXB's vision lies in our belief that supporting communities to achieve self-reliance is the best way to lift people out of poverty and help them regain their dignity and self-esteem," says CEO Bilge Ogun Bassani. More than 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS worldwide, with over 80% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNAIDS, Uganda has an estimated one million children orphaned by AIDS; Rwanda has approximately 210,000. In the past, relatives or community members cared for orphaned children. However, the AIDS epidemic has ripped apart this traditional safety net, leaving many children abandoned and without support. Based on 17 years of international field work, FXB International has developed a low-cost, community-based Village Model Program that has proved successful in helping families and communities respond to the effects of HIV and AIDS, and regain greater economic stability. The Program has a high success rate -- 85 % of its beneficiary families have managed to become self- sufficient. In addition, on average it raises families' income from under $1 to US$4 a day, which is a remarkable achievement. Twelve villages have been started so far this year in Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi with plans underway for one more to begin in Rwanda by the end of 2006. FXB's innovative Village Model Program was referred in UNAIDS' "Report on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic 2002," as a best solution to support AIDS orphans. The Program was developed through participatory discussions with beneficiaries and adapted to the evolving context of HIV/AIDS programming. It is implemented by locally-recruited staff members, and provides a basic package of services to families, including HIV prevention, testing and counseling; educational and vocational training; medical and nutritional support; and income generating activities. FXB's Village Model Program helps families become increasingly self-sufficient and capable of managing their own medical and schooling costs over a period of 3 years. The total budget for the FXB Village Model Program for the 3 years is US$150,000. Because of the low overhead costs associated with the Program, FXB is seeking funds to replicate its village model program in other countries affected by the AIDS pandemic. Within the next 3 years, FXB plans to create 20 new village models in Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Thailand, India, and China, enabling 1,600 families to become economically self-sufficient and providing services to 8,000 children affected by HIV and AIDS. In 1989, Countess Albina du Boisrouvray, a successful business woman, founded FXB, an international non-governmental organization, after the tragic death of her rescue-pilot son, Francois-Xavier, in a helicopter accident in Mali. Through the creation of FXB, Albina sought to carry on the compassion and generosity that guided Francois-Xavier's life. Children's rights and the inextricable link between health and human rights lie at the heart of FXB's mission and guide all of its programs. With these values as a basis, Albina has used her social entrepreneurial skills to promote FXB's fight against poverty and the spread of HIV. She has created programs, such as the pioneering FXB Village Model, to empower the world's AIDS orphans and vulnerable children to lead productive lives.
Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com
Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Internationalwww.fxb.org
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
