We Like Our Job, We Never Quit; HIV Must Not Win

A long time back, we joined the larger HIV Prevention and Control consortium in Uganda aka UNASO. Before 2000, we were familiar with the terms "under served," "orphans and vulnerable children" and we happened to be their when redress was needed. By 2004, we were well established at grass root level so much so that when such terms like "vulnerable," "marginalized," "hard-to-reach,""at-risk," "most-at-risk" were used we synched or meshed so well with what policy drove. And so when other health workers from Mulago National Referral Hospital asked us to join hands in 2007, we did not hesitate to work as a team. We put aside our own interests and took up the "national" focus!

After some time, we came together and decided to make the MARPs Network Limited ( MNL) which we run as a team. We hoped that there was no need to duplicate activities. We had other organizations we had helped start but we put them on a burner. We worked under MARPs Network before it became Marps Network Limited and while there we engaged in a selfless scouting and canvassing for beneficiaries.

The narrator of the story, who was the Assistant CEO, used many means to get numbers of beneficiaries. Being skilled in health care work he also participated in health camps and outreach services all in the name of MARPs Network. Lo! And behold, DANIDA provided the first injection of money and one person decided the narrator was no longer needed. All the years, from 2008-2010, spent putting MARPs Network in place meant there would be no benefitting from the sweat.

The sweat meant, a salaried position of a deputy CEO. It meant having facilitation to put in operation the synthesized strategic plan we had built together as a team. But, that was not to be. But,......"never give up" is a good motto.

Most At Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS IN UGANDA) was born thereafter in July 2010.

Our vision, mission, objectives, modus operandi and culture are unique. We are here to specifically support LGBTIQQ living with HIV and promote LGBTIQQ Rights. We understand the public health science and policy operationalizing targeting Key Populations so well and we invest time and resources to ensure a greater demographic wide goals are met. But, at all times we start with the LGBTIQQ.

We synthesized and planned policy, service delivery and guidelines:

The "HALF" Thematic Guide:

HOUSING

ARVs

LIVELIHOOD

FOOD

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we designed operable community roll-out mechanisms (OCRM) based on our thematic and individualized approach (TIA). The thematic approach had four pillars, H, A, L, F.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, the thematic approach four pillars,

H, A, L, F are: Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food. These four go hand in hand.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we have demonstrated that Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food go hand in hand. If people living with HIV are deprived of housing, then this affects optimal ARV adherence.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we have demonstrated that Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food go hand in hand. If people living with HIV are deprived of ARV, then this affects optimal ARV adherence which impacts one’s health.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we have demonstrated that Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food go hand in hand. If people living with HIV are deprived of livelihood, then this affects optimal ARV adherence.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we have demonstrated that Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food go hand in hand. If people living with HIV are deprived of food, then this affects optimal ARV adherence.

The "SHELF" Thematic Guide:

SECURITY

HUMAN RIGHTS

ECONOMIC SELF DETERMINATION

LIFE AND QUALITY CARE

FAMILY

At MARPS IN UGANDA, the community sustainability action plans (COSAPs) is based on five pillars, S, H, E, L, F. Security, Human Rights, Economic self determination, Livelihood and Food. These are durable solutions.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, Security has been the basis of an effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, Human Rights are the basis for addressing needs which in turn promote an effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, Economic self determination as a value goal is important if effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries is to be achieved.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, Life and Quality Care as a comprehensive goal is important if effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries is to be achieved.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, Food is important if effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries is to be achieved.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, durable solutions include the community sustainability action plans (COSAPs) based on five pillars, S, H, E, L, F. It has been the basis of an effective optimal ARV Adherence for our beneficiaries. The community sustainability action plans (COSAPs) is based on five pillars, S, H, E, L, F. Security, Human Rights, Economic self determination, Livelihood and Food. These are durable solutions.

At MARPS IN UGANDA, we designed operable community roll-out mechanisms (OCRM) based on our thematic and individualized approach (TIA). The thematic approach had four pillars, H, A, L, F:: Housing, ARV, Livelihood and Food. These four go hand in hand.