Reaching out to the Calabar Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) through the Innovative Birthday Approach

PAHCCDI is currently implementing a self funded OVC intervention. These OVC are children of the key population, - Female Sex Workers (FSW), High Risk Men (HRM) and Injecting drug Users (IDU). Imploring an innovative strategy of using the birthday celebrations of her staff to reach to the OVC, PAHCCDI aims to show empathy and bring succour driven by passion and zeal in line with her mission and vision statement.

Celebrants (Mirable and Christabel) pose with PAHCCDI staff and OVC

Taking into cognisance the estimated national population of orphans from all causes which was put at 7 million in 2003, PAHCCDI driven by passion and the desire to serve the marginalized and underserved groups, courageously ventured into the OVC intervention having understood the conducted desk review of the situation of OVC in Nigeria that implicated factors like poverty, socio-cultural constraints, gender inequalities, inadequate policies and enabling environment which has over the years put the rights of the OVC in jeopardy.  PAHCCDI undertook these interventions across Eight thematic areas; Health, Nutrition, Shelter/Care, Education, Psychosocial Support, Protection, Economic Strengthening and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH).

Eme Ita (celebrant) cuts the Cake with the OVC

Undeterred and unimpeded by the lack of funding for these interventions, PAHCCDI developed an innovative approach of using staff birthdays to reach out to the OVC and with support from internally generated funds, PAHCCDI support every staff to celebrate their birthday with the OVC as part of the interventions while providing multiple services on spot, in company of friends and family members.

Since the idea was conceived, PAHCCDI have so far reached the Lemna cohort of Calabar Municipality L.G.A. with these interventions twice, while celebrating the birthday for two of her staff, Miss Eme Ita Sunday on Friday the 22nd day of September, 2017 and Miss Mirabel Enebong Essien who co-celebrated with her twin sister Miss Christabel Enebong Essien on Monday the 2nd of October, 2017.  

Vulnerability Assessment and Enrollment

 We realize the fact that without taking determined steps to address the specific needs of children there will be no chance of meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and having implemented the largely successful SHiPS for MARPs project which targeted the key population and their partners, we felt the need to fill the vacuum created, since the project did not cover interventions for the children of these key populations. 

OVC feasting on the foods, drinks and nutrient supplements

Although what we have done and our achievements so far can be considered to be a drop in the sea of massive deprivation owing to the number of children yet to be reached, however, it still represent; a new dawn for interventions in resource deficient settings like ours, a gateway for funded collaborations, an easy access to intervention expansion and a dependable / sustainable voice & face of OVC response in Cross River State.

Distribution of nutritional supplement packs

 Over 47 (32 females, 15 males) OVCs were captured during the exercise with an average age of 13.21 and average vulnerability rating of 13.68.

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Report on the Medical Outreach held on the 13th of July 2017 during the Flag Off of the Nigerian Medical Laboratory Science Student Association (NIMELSSA) Health Week 2017

Member of PAHCCDI staff with other stakeholders

Paradise Health Care Community Development Initiative (PAHCCDI-Nigeria), Nigerian Medical Laboratory Science Student Association (NIMELSSA), Student Union Government (SUG) University of Calabar in collaboration with other stakeholders / partners conducted HTS, STIs screening and treatment as part of the activities to mark the 2017 NIMELSSA Health week with the theme: "Candidiasis, the Unknown Friendly Infection."


The Objectives of the outreach was to:

• To sensitize the students about STIs with particular emphasis on Candidiasis.
• To screen and treat identified STI cases.
• To conduct HIV Testing Services (HTS).
• To educate and distribute safer sex products (Male Condoms, Female Condoms and Lubrica).



HIV testing services during the activity

• To conduct malaria testing using the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits.

Opening the event, the President of NIMELSSA, Mr. Monday Obio welcomed all present, he went on to highlight the importance of the event stating that the one thing is common across all types of infection and that is the fact that early detection helps to save lives, he therefore urged participants to take advantage of the presence of PAHCCDI Nigeria and the SHiPS for MARPs project to make maximum use of the interventions that were brought.

The Program Officer Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Chinedu Okoye went on to educate the participants on the nature of intervention that was brought to them, He also stated the modalities and protocols for accessing each service and encourage all to be open especially during counselling sessions so that the providers can provide maximum care and support accordingly. Chinedu also assured the participant of the high degree of professionalism that PAHCCDI staff and the SHiPS for MARPs project is known for and so there should be no fear of stigma, discrimination or bottlenecks.

The intervention proper started at 9:30am and continued till 3pm. Side attractions included dance, drama, comedy and rally. 

STI services during the activity

Outcome of activity

• 29 persons were screened for HIV and result of test disclosed to them.
• 29 persons were screened for STI.
• 12 persons were treated for STI.
• 21 persons were screened for malaria.

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Training for Community Facilitators in SHiPS for MARPs Project

 Training for PAHCCDI-Nigeria Community Facilitators in SHiPS for MARPs

In the month under review, the Society for Family Health (SFH) conducted a two day training for community facilitators of the SHiPS for MARPs project working under PAHCCDI-Nigeria, in Calabar Municipal, Akpabuyo, Akamkpa, Bakassi and Odukpani LGAs to build their capacity and equip them to work better.

Venue: Society for Family Health Territorial Office, Calabar.

Date: 4th - 5th July 2017.

Registration: All participants were made to register by writing down their names and other details in the attendance sheet.

Attendance: There were 18 persons in attendance, this includes the facilitators.

Time started: 09:00am


Setting norms

The following were the ground rules set by the participants

• All phones on silence
• Good time management
• No chorus answers
• No sleeping
• Punctuality
• Respect others opinion

Thereafter, Rapateurs were nominated to take note for the training.

 
Welcome address

Taken by the State Program Officer, SHiPS for MARPs project SFH, Mrs. Akpesiri Uboko

In her address, she welcomed all participants on behalf of the STL SHiPS for MARPs and the Executive Director PAHCCDI Nigeria. She went further to say that the success of any project depends on quality services, that the purpose of the training is to ensure that the target group in various communities and LGAs have knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS, so as to prevent further spread. Finally, She said that everything should be done conscientiously without cutting corners urging the new CFs to be open minded to learn and share past experience of work; also she briefed participants of the goal and objective of the SHiPS for MARPs project in the LGA.
Participant expectations

• Proper documentation
• Acquire skills in
• Learn more in reporting with SFH tools
• Skill in data analysis
• Understanding SHiPs for MARPs indicators
• Understanding Target groups tools

Participant fears

• Time Management
• Not getting good understanding of the training generally
• Certification of participants

Objectives of the training

• Understanding Target groups concepts and M&E Framework
• Train community facilitators (CFs) SHiPS for MARPs partners on the use of data capturing and reporting tools
• Understanding of report flow and timelines.

The Territorial M&E stated that community facilitators based in different communities and LGAs, that the purpose of engaging them (CFs) is to identify Most at risk populations (FSW) in their various communities and recruit them as peers which they will hold three sessions with them for the period of two month(s) and ensure that HTS is given to all so they can meet MPPI.

The Prevention Program Assistant Mr. Ken Mbu facilitated on the component of MPPI which he said that the component comprises of: Structural, Biomedical and Behavioural, She further explained the meaning as of MPPI as Minimum Prevention Package Intervention, that peers recruited by CFs within this quarter should reached the three packages of intervention.

Key topics covered: 

Introduction to the SHiPS for MARPs Project, Combination prevention/MPPI, Overview of PEP model, Entry Phase (Community mapping), Intensive Phase Approach, Exit Phase Approach , Behavioural change communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, HTS, SRR, Familiarization of work tools and Reporting timelines.

Use of PEP manual: Kenneth Mbu, also facilitated on the use of PEP manual stating that it is a guideline for community facilitators (CFs) to discuss with peers during session, also she informed peers that the flip chart is divided into three module (i.e module topic: life skill, 2 sexuality and 3 money and conflict management). He further explained that the first topic discuss in the month is: Goal setting, self esteem, decision making, values, negotiation and refusal skills. The following month (2) topic: Gender and HIV while in the 3rd month is money resources

Condom use and demonstration: There was an interactive session with CFs on condom use and demonstration anchored by Mrs. Glory Ekanem (CF.), She explained the importance and use of condom, saying that condom is used as a preventive measure from diseases such HB/HC, Syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV as well as teenage pregnancy, some persons might not accept using condom because of one reason and the other, that the duty of CFs is to educate and encourage FSW on the use condom that it is for their safety.

Procedure of recruitment: Program Assistant informed the CFs on the use and importance of recruitment form by explaining to the CFs how to recruit peers using the form that CFs should get all information needed from the target group and record in the form and submit same to the M & E.

Use of peers monthly tracking form/Attendance Sheet was also facilitated by the Mr. Keneth Mbu, he explained how CFs are to use the tracking form and attendance at the end of the month to summarized their monthly activities by capturing the numbers of condom, lubricants and number of peers tested by CTs in their session.

Recap / Call to Action: The recap was facilitated by the SPO Mrs. Akpesiri, POP Miss Mirabel and Program Assistant Mr. Keneth, they revised the topics discussed and the CFs took turns to answer questions. The training ended 3:30pm for Day 1 and 3:00pm for Day 2.

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