Humuliza

Humuliza has developed a number of strategies in order to achieve its objectives.


Development of training materials for caregivers and teachers. Humuliza has produced 19 training modules with handouts, which may be combined in ways to suit the needs and time of the trainees. These manuals, as well as a basic textbook about psycho-social support for orphans, are available. These include a training manual in psychosocial support (PSS) for caregivers and teachers, a training material in PSS for Primary School Teachers and a textbook on Psychosocial support for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Development of practical material for counselling distressed children. Humuliza organises group interventions for stressed children and has orked with groups of about 15 children. Orphans meet once per week during a 14-week period for training in developing their own coping capacities. The organisation has also produced a training manual for child-to-child counselling.

Building of a child-directed organisation. Since February 2000, Humuliza has supported the development of an orphan organisation or (Vijana Simama Imara - VSI) with about 3,000 members in 20 villages. VSI is made up of members aged between 13 and 18 years, and Rafiki Mdogo has younger members aged between 8 and 12 years. This pilot project is aimed at improving the well being of orphans who are negatively impacted by the effects of HIV/AIDS.

VSI activities include:

• Mutual support, meetings and self-organisation with community leaders.
• Supporting elders and disabled members of the community.
• Running a loan and savings scheme, and income-generating activities.
• A peer prevention programme in clusters and schools.
• Attending a Mobile Farm School and the "Young Farmers Club".
• Regular meetings with Rafiki Mdogo members (orphans aged between 6 and 12 years) offering support to their activities and advice when necessary.
• Organising self-defense classes (for girls).

Children, Youth, HIV/AIDS, Health.

As a result of the Humuliza programme, in 2000 the youth organisation "Vijana Simama Imara" (VSI) was founded in Kagera. This pilot project aims to improve the situation of orphans with HIV/AIDS through schooling, direct financial help, institution of a youth-bank for small credits and saving, group projects for income-generation activities, and mutual assistance in case of illness or death of family members. For example, The Mobile Farm School (MFS) started in October, 2001 with two classes. All participants (male and female), a third of whom are heads of household, are asked to cultivate land. They attend the MFS in their village for one week every month; in the remaining three weeks, they must apply their new knowledge and pass it on to a selected peer.

Humuliza is also an operational programme of REPSSI (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative), which works in the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The goal of REPSSI is to improve assistance for children affected by HIV/AIDS in SADC-Region, specifically, by adapting current pilot programmes and supporting new community models with additional partner organisations.