About 125 people living with HIV are set to benefit from foodstuffs that aim to cushion them from the effects of Covid 19.
Speaking at Kababu Technical Institute in Suna West while distributing the foodstuffs the Executive Director of Lake Victory Initiative Mr. Peter Gwengi said that 125 vulnerable but very needy HIV individuals will benefit every month for the next three months in the selected six Sub Counties.
“We are currently working in Kuria East, Kuria West, Suna West, Nyatike, Uriri and Suna East and our main target is vulnerable, disabled and very needy HIV individuals,” said Gwengi.
He said that they will give out foodstuffs, sanitary towels, surgical masks and sanitisers worth Sh 300,000 every month for the next three months in the selected six Sub Counties. He said that the programme which started in December 2021 aims to ensure that HIV persons have better nutrition and proper care.
He noted that the reason they selected the six Sub Counties was because they had the highest HIV prevalence rate. Gwengi pointed out that with the help of the Community Based Health Works, they were able to identify vulnerable, disabled and very needy HIV individuals at ward levels
Gwengi said that he received the donation from one of the international communities of Women Living with HIV Kenyan Chapter with funding from UNAIDS.
The official pointed out that Covid 19 pandemic severely affected people living with the burden of HIV and that the items will enable them to supplement their daily needs and cushion them from the effects of Covid -19
Gwengi said that nutrition was very critical for persons living with HIV in terms of positive living. He said that the programme was meant to assist HIV individuals to live positively and healthier. The official acknowledged that the programme cannot assist all people living with HIV but the target was majorly the vulnerable, the disabled and very needy individuals.
Ms. Rose Achieng one of the persons living with HIV thanked Lake Victory Initiative for their generosity. The 51 years old widow said that the foodstuff donated will help them in terms of food security and nutrition.
She urged other organisations to come on board and assist vulnerable but needy people living with HIV to ensure that they continue living positively and healthy.
By Geoffrey Makokha
