For the 2011 ICMDA HIV Initiative Dignity and Right to Health Award, we have three nominations

1. Andi and Sheeba Eicher - Mumbai, India 2. Saira Paulouse - Delhi, India 3, Olive Frost - UK who has worked in Central Asia

Andi and Sheeba Eicher - Mumbai, India

Let me introduce Andi and Sheeba

Andi and Sheeba work in the Mumbai area of the beautiful country of India. They are leaders in an organisation called Jeevan Sahara Kendra  (JSK).

The Jeevan Sahara Kendra started up in 2002 after Dr. Stephen Alfred attended Prescription for Hope an international conference of Christians concerned about the challenge of HIV/AIDS.

Upon Dr. Stephen’s return to India, he called together a group of concerned local Christians and suggested that working together to reach out to people with HIV/AIDS here in the greater Mumbai area.

The name ‘Jeevan Sahara Kendra’ was suggested by Pastor Basil DeSouza of Covenant Blessings Church – and work started later in the year with two young men visiting people with HIV in their homes in Thane.

At the end of 2002 Dr. Sheba Eicher joined the programme which at that point had Sister Naomi Nathan and Daniel Kautikkar as staff.   From the very first few families that were contacted, the work has slowly grown to a full-fledged HIV home-care programme.  Andi Eicher joined his heroic wife a few months later.

Early days saw the development of a small out-patient clinic and forays into providing Anti-Retroviral Therapy for patients – of which the first patient to receive the treatment is still going strong as we write this 7 years later.

The earliest days were also marked with a desire to train lay people from local churches to reach out to people with HIV/AIDS with the practical love of God.

In 2004 the first steps were made to start a back-up shelter for acutely ill patients with HIV.There is Hope

Early 2005 saw Jeevan Sahara Kendra organising the There is Hope conference for churches from North India.  The response was tremendous and reminded us of what can be done by God’s people when they want to make a change.

The programme was strengthened in late 2005 by the arrival of Dr. Adam Black, a volunteer physician from Scotland who served with us till mid-2008.

Though primarily an HIV home-based-care programme, JSK has always sought to reach out to the community.  The World AIDS Day – held on the 1st of December each year – offers a vital opportunity to do this.   In 2004 JSK helped organise a silent prayer rally through the streets of Thane.  In 2005 we linked in with the Global Day to Pray to End AIDS and organised a prayer meeting.  In 2006 our interns helped spur the thought of a programme to reach out to young people, and the Youth Against AIDS festival was born. This programme has now taken a life of its own with the 2007 edition of the YAA Fest being held at St. John’s School in Thane and the 2008 edition being held at the Free Methodist Church in Andheri.  Since 2009 the YAA programme has focussed on “Days of Service” which bring young people together to serve people with HIV in their homes.

As the programme has continued to grow deeper in relationships with families affected by HIV, we have been struck by the needs of children of families affected by AIDS. Rather than send them to orphanages, JSK is convinced that they should be able to grow up in their home environment as much as possible.  To help facilitate this, we started a small Child Care Centre in 2006 to support families with HIV in the Lokmanya Nagar part of Thane.   This Children at Risk programme is now done by visiting the families in their homes and having children come to homes of church volunteers.

In 2008 we were able to start an integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) to help people who may have HIV know about their status.  After renovating the existing clinic and we were able to counsel and test people for HIV at the JSK clinic itself.  This programme has gathered strength with govt. recognition of the ICTC. In 2010 we developed the capacity to conduct testing camps with local churches.

From the beginning of our work the Jeevan Sahara Kendra has been committed to training local churches in HIV care.  In 2009 we had the privilege of training partners from the Christian AIDS National Alliance from across North India.  In addition, JSK has been training interns from the Union Biblical Seminary for their 7 month practical ministry internship since 2005.

The latest step in our journey has been the shifting of the JSK work to our new JSK Community Care Centre at the Lok Hospital building in June 2011.

This big shift opens up new opportunities for JSK to serve in HIV care.  We are now able to provide in-patient care and are moving to set up an ART centre in the new facility.  Operating out of the Lok Hospital building also allows us to strengthen the existing home-based care, out-patient clinic, ICTC and training activities of the Jeevan Sahara Kendra. Read  more at http://jeevansahara.wordpress.com/

Let me introduce Saira Paulouse from Delhi, India

Saira shares the following vision: To see society unconditionally, compassionately and effectively caring for people affected and infected by HIV / AIDS, such that people living with HIV / AIDS can live a dignified, healthy and full life.

Saira, along with her co-workers, is committed to promoting the effective prevention of HIV transmission and provision of unconditional, compassionate care for people infected and affected by HIV / AIDS in India.

Her project, Shalom Delhi completed 10 years of its service in 2011. Its various components consist of Critical Care Services, Home Based Care, Capacity building of churches and NGOs and Slum development.

Saira aims to provide high quality inpatient and outpatient medical care and counselling services for persons infected and affected by HIV     From 2003 – April 2011, 1611 new HIV infected persons were seen in the OPD. 983 infected and affected persons were admitted to the ward which had 2276 admissions.

      Specialized secondary level medical care was provided at an affordable cost to persons infected and affected with HIV who accessed care at Shalom. Critical care supports and complements Home Based Care and is an important link in the continuum of services for PLWHAs.

Saira's team is working with many objectives.

Saira seeks to improve the physical, emotional, spiritual and economic health of   HIV affected families in Delhi    A total of 258 families have gone through the HBC programme. 99 of these families were stabilized in Phase 3 ( 2008-2011 ) of which 81 were linked to NGOs and 18 to churches      Shalom's HBC was able to empower 99 families ( Phase 3 ) so that they are no longer dependant on Shalom   A successful HBC programme requires a collaborative spirit and a willingness to network with various organizations

To reduce the likelihood of contracting HIV in  adolescents belonging to HBC families     231 adolescents had passed through a life skills programme, of which  120 had completed the course      Improved knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards HIV and improved ability to make good choices  for 120 adolescents of HBC families.     Sustained commitment to a life skills programme requires an interactive and well structured curriculum, proper orientation and involvement of parents.

To sensitize and build the capacity of churches in Delhi to provide care for families affected with HIV 22 churches are actively involved in providing care and support. 42 volunteers from these churches are visiting 54 HBC families. 5 families are receiving

food support from churches.  

Increased sensitivity and capacity of 22 churches in Delhi to respond to the problem of HIV / AIDS. In addition to sensitization, mobilizing churches requires regular follow up and supervision which involves considerable effort 

To enhance the capacity and skills of NGOs/FBOs in Delhi and in North India to care for PLWHAs and also to start HBC programmes of their own Capacity was developed for 2 EHA units and 1 FBO  for providing HBC services and  2 FBOs for counselling services. Regular training workshops were held every year for NGOs in various topics related to HIV care.      NGOs/FBOs in Delhi and other parts of North India have enhanced capacity to provide HBC for PLWHAs. An increasing number of NGOs / FBOs in North India are seeking training to address issues surrounding HIV in their respective areas. This is an opportunity that must be fully utilized

To improve physical, emotional, economic, social and spiritual health of  persons belonging to the Transgender community  A total of 50 eunuchs received Home Based Care, of which 30 are now cared for by 5 churches and 1 FBO. 22 eunuchs accessed OPD care, and 6 were admitted to the ward.   Whole person care and improved accessibility of services for members of the transgender community   Home based care helps to build relationships with the Transgender group and generates trust in them. As a result they are more willing to access services and care.

We can be greatly encouraged by this important and inspirational work!

May God bless and encourage you.

Dr Michael Burke