APHIA II KENYA

When the youth volunteer facilitating a session on sexual exploitation got word from the pupils that Asha (not her real name) had received a beating from her parents and skipped classes, she got curious and eager to find out what could be the reason. The girls huddled together before the session and whispered about the ‘misfortune’ that had befallen one of them. They knew what this meant to the girl’s life, and on her education prospects.

 

by BCP Manager

When I joined PSI last year, Lucy Maikweki explained patiently what managing the Best Care Package (BCP) program would entail. At the time, I did not realize the impact this program would have on the lives of people living with HIV (PLWHIV).

 Mary welcomes us warmly. Her eyes glow as she greets us; evidently, she loves visitors. “Karibuni sana” (You are most welcome) she tells us. I’m accompanied by two Community Health Workers (CHWs) from Gongoni health centre in Malindi, where the Basic Care Package (BCP) is distributed to Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).

 

 

Gongoni Health Centre is one of the eleven pilot health facilities in Coast Province, implementing the BCP program. The BCP program being implemented by APHIA II HCM project seeks to improve the quality of PLHIV. Most PLHIV are prone to opportunistic infections and designed to ward off these opportunistic infections, the BCP is a kit that contains a Safe water vessel, a water treating agent (Waterguard), Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs), Condoms, and multi vitamins and IEC materials.