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Communities are and have always been at the forefront of the HIV response. That’s why JSI works with community-based organizations to improve the quality of life for people affected by HIV. An effective HIV response requires a nuanced understanding of the local context, strong relationships, and trust that has been well-earned. We are so proud to listen to and partner with community organizations whose leadership is essential in the path toward a future where no person dies of HIV-related illness.
In honor of this World AIDS Day, we are highlighting the essential work of our community partners.
Life Relief Foundation – Ghana
HIV epidemic control hinges on community ownership and the capacity to sustain the hard-earned gains of HIV interventions.” – Cecilia Oduro, Executive Director of Life Relief Foundation
In the early years of the HIV epidemic, a nurse midwife began a groundbreaking community home-based care organization to support people living with HIV, when even the hospitals turned them away due to stigma and fear. Now, over 20 years later, the Life Relief Foundation continues its legacy of community-based care and has developed the “3Cs Approach to Community Partnership: Collective Identity, Collective Empowerment and Action, and Collective Ownership and Sustainability.” When applied together, this framework ensures the long-term continuity of high-quality health and well-being services and resilient, powerful communities.
We are excited to partner with Life Relief Foundation on the Ghana Strengthening the Care Continuum project, implementing the 3Cs approach in collaboration with traditional leaders, social networks, and faith-based organizations. Life Relief Foundation’s community initiatives have trained peer mobilizers, increased HIV literacy, and involved men and boys in gender-based violence prevention.
Truckers Association of Zambia (TAZ) – Zambia
We are now leading the way in creating awareness around health care and accessing services for truck drivers.” – Jacob Banda, Secretary General, Truckers Association of Zambia
TAZ provides guidance and support on employment, safety, health, and social welfare to truck drivers working and living in Zambia and traveling through the wider Southern African Development Community region. Its mobilizers break health-service use-related stigma and help members understand and access them.
JSI is proud to partner with TAZ on the launch of the “Health Hub: Men on the Move” alongside the Ministry of Health as part of the USAID DISCOVER-Health Project. These health hubs provide convenient routine health screening, COVID-19 vaccination, and HIV prevention and treatment in truck driver-friendly environments. TAZ’s insight to the unique needs of its members and guidance on how best to reach them was essential in the development of the health hubs, and TAZ is sustaining efforts to increase awareness of these services.
Associação ComuSanas – Mozambique
“The community’s agenda is the ComuSanas agenda. Effective community coordination with the government and NGOs can extend the impact of interventions.” – Virgilio Mubai, Senior Program Manager of ComuSanas.
Associação ComuSanas is a nongovernmental Mozambican organization that works with formal and traditional health systems to respond to HIV and other health threats with sustainable, community-owned solutions. Through a framework of mutuality, it takes a holistic approach to community health and prioritizes resilience.
JSI works with ComuSanas on many programs in Mozambique, including Siyakha Girls, a DREAMS model that focuses on social determinants of health for adolescents and young people to prevent HIV transmission and advanced disease. ComuSanas staff are expert organizers, and its mentors provide essential health, social, economic, and psychosocial guidance and linkage to services. They help keep girls and young women in school, provide skills training to break the cycle of poverty and illness, and work to end HIV stigma and gender-based violence across the community.
Lira District Forum of People Living with HIV Networks – Uganda
Engaging with the community has led to improved and increased access to health care services, improving health and living conditions for our clients.” – Ongune Martin, Program Officer at LIDFOPHAN
The Lira District Forum of People Living with HIV Networks (LIDFOPHAN) is an HIV service organization that advocates for the rights and protection of all people living with HIV, including children and adolescents. It works with local government departments (Health, Community Development, Agriculture, and Probation and Welfare) and other partners to inform service design and delivery in communities. It also provides HIV testing, care, and support services through community mobilization and linkages to health facilities.
JSI was honored to partner with LIDFOPHAN on the USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services-North, Lango (USAID RHITES-N, Lango) project. LIDFOPHAN worked with JSI to establish a bi-directional referral system for coordination to strengthen services for people living with HIV. LIDFOPHAN’s contributions informed improvements in the referral experience for both health providers and clients.
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