Home Visit Program

The Home Visit Program:
Every week, KACCAD visits vulnerable families living on the margins of society. Volunteers accompany Sam and/or Nicholas to talk to the families about their current situation, looking for ways in which KACCAD can help. Generally, these families consist of HIV+ parents, many of whom are widowed; or orphaned siblings looked after by the eldest sibling. The program is located in Ssumbwe, which is a 30-minute walk from the KACCAD compound. Depending on resources, the volunteers bring food and other resources to help the families. These resources dry up fast. When there are no donations available, volunteers will focus more on an educational program. Malaria prevention, safe food preparation, water treatment, balanced diet and covering pit latrines are key elements of this educational program.

Costs:
If you donate toward our Home Visit program, we will use the money to give families the following items:

• Pit latrine cover (wood, handle and nails) [Sanitation: prevents flies entering pit and later settling on food] 5,000 UGX / $2.50
• Tippy Tap (jerry can, rope and a few pieces of wood) [Economical storage of water to wash hands] 6,500 UGX / $3.25
• Small metal tank with tap [Stores treated water (more durable than tippy tap)] 25,000 UGX / $12.50
• Rice, maize flour and beans [Basic nutrition] $40 – 45 per month feeds an average size family
• Live chickens [Chickens offer a sustainable source of proteins and fats. Protein is extremely important to those fighting HIV/AIDS, as it helps to maintain strength and bodyweight] Each chicken costs 10,000 UGX to purchase and approx. 1,000 UGX per chicken per week to feed [$5 per chicken / 50c per week to feed]
• Mattress Child 50,000 UGX; Adult 70,000 UGX / $25 - $35
• Blankets From 50,000 UGX (bulk buy price)
• Sheets From 20,000 UGX
• Pillow 5,000 UGX
• Treated Mosquito Net [Malaria prevention] 7,000 UGX (bulk buy price)
• Sack garden (plants, fertilizers, training, tools) – (implemented through our Afro-concept partnership) [Nutrition - These sack gardens can easily be placed outside an apartment, family does not need to own land] US$ 35 per family
• New mother package (vitamins, formula, cloth diapers, petroleum jelly, wash basin and towel) [HIV+ mothers can prevent infecting their babies by using formula instead of breast milk] US$ 90
  

Condoms When appropriate, we also bring condoms. However, this has been the subject of considerable discussion, as it has raised some problems in the past. Polygamy is widely practiced in Uganda. A husband may divide his time between several wives (and/or mistresses).This increases the risk of spreading HIV. When we visit the families, often only the wife is present. Despite making numerous appointments, the husband can remain unavailable. If we give condoms to the wife without the husband present, we risk putting the wife in a very difficult and potentially dangerous position, as some men may see this as a sign of infidelity on the part of the woman. Some husbands may be aware of their own HIV status but publicly deny it, preferring to seek treatment secretly, and refusing to use condoms. They may also use religious reasons as an excuse. Thus, it is important that, where we can, we work with both husband and wife. When this is not possible, we make sure to consider the wife’s safety in all the advice and donations offered.

Sun Water Caleb has researched many water treatment methods. The most economical method available in Uganda for home use is the Sun Water System. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_water_disinfection

To create Sun Water: ¾ fill a transparent bottle with water. It is best to filter the water into the bottle with a piece of cloth. Shake the bottle for 20 seconds to create small white oxygen bubbles. Fill the bottle to the top and shake again. Leave the bottle in the sun for 6 hours (2 days if the sky is cloudy). UV rays react with the oxygen bubbles to kill all the bugs and the water is ready to drink.

Unfortunately, we are unable to promote Sun Water during Home Visits until we have permission from the Wakiso District. However, we have been using Sun Water successfully within our own compound for several months. The key is to implement a good system to know how long each bottle has been in the sun. Once we have permission, we will start promoting Sun Water as an economical and safe way to treat water.