RECENT PROJECTS

HIV/AIDS PROJECT IN NIGERIA
The Redeemed AIDS Program Action Committee (“RAPAC”): An affiliate of African Missions in Nigeria has embarked on a project to increase the awareness of HIV/AIDS/STIs and to prevent the transmission of HIV/STI among church members.

Expected Results are as follows:

» To increase risk reduction behavior among members of RCCG.
» To reduce stigmatization of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) and People Affected by AIDS (PABA).
»  To provide spiritual support and care for PLWHIA and PABA.
In April 1999, RAPAC started a project with Family Health International (FHI Nigeria) funded by USAID/Nigeria under its IMPACT project. RAPAC became an IMPACT Faith Based Implementing Agency (IA) to achieve its goal of increasing risk reduction behavior among church members.
The initial funding of $49, 701 (N 4,274,260) was granted to execute the program in 20 parishes in Lagos State with counterpart funding from RCCG. In 2001, the project was reviewed and amended with increased budget of $233,143 (N 24,542,260) to reach parishes in 3 Local Governments in Lagos State, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State and Akure in Ondo State. A total number of 268 parishes were reached. In June, 2003 another project review was conducted and an amendment was made to reach 1,500 parishes in Lagos State; the amended budget is $327,797 (N39, 930,985).
Other activities being carried out include: Parent child communication, Adolescent reproductive health, Sexuality and Family life education.

HIV/AIDS Drugs Donation to Nigeria – MEDSHARE PROGRAM:
AMNA partners with CitiHope International (“CitiHope”) to donate $1.5 million worth of HIV Drugs to Nigeria. On July 11, 2003 African Missions, North America in collaboration with CitiHope donated HIV/AIDS drugs to Nigeria to support President Bush’s initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa during his visit to Abuja, Nigeria. Pastor Abby Daramola of African Missions, North America and Mr. Emmanuel Ogebe representing CitiHope escorted the shipment to Nigeria as a practical demonstration of American care and concern for Africa. The donated drug, which is valued at $1.5 million, included Pentam 300 (Pentamidine) used in treating HIV/AIDS related complications. The medication was distributed in five identified target areas: Benue State, Plateau State, Abuja, Ogun State and Oyo State. Hospitals such as UCH in Ibadan, National Hospital Abuja, were beneficiaries of this project. As of March 2004, AMNA has donated a total of $5.3 million dollars worth of medicines to Nigeria. View report

HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM IN SOUTH AFRICA
In May 2001, an HIV/AIDS Health Awareness Program was organized in different provinces of South Africa in collaboration with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Regional Office, Randburg, South Africa. The provinces are Soweto, Vosloorus, Segwaelane, Heidelberg, and White River and medications and other medical supplies were distributed at the health clinics organized. More awareness visits are planned for the future.

ORPHANAGE SUPPORT
AMNA supports an orphanage in Heildelberg, South Africa that houses over 60 HIV/AIDS orphan boys. In May 2001, during the visit to South Africa, we erected an extra bathroom for use by the orphans, as the 60 boys had the use of only one bathroom between them. AMNA is committed to supporting the orphanage on a long-term basis, with plans to assist in the expansion of the existing facilities.
Train-the-Trainer Program
We also started a train-the-trainer program in May 2001, where a General Health and HIV/AIDS Health Specialist traveled with the AMNA team to train Health Specialists residing in Southern Africa, who will in turn train their community. This is in line with our vision to educate the African communities on the AIDS epidemic and its control and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through healthcare training and disease awareness. We have scheduled to hold more one-week intensive training programs in several countries in Africa to be visited at least once a year.

STRATEGIC PLANNINIG ASSESSMENT - KENYA
A 20-days fact-finding visit was undertaken to some countries in East Africa in November 2002, to identify the projects to be embarked upon in some of the countries of the Region. We visited parts of Kenya and Uganda. Some community projects have been earmarked for implementation as a result of the visit, and further trips are planned to these countries to commence on the projects.

CLOTHING DRIVE
AMNA embarked on a clothing drive in December 2002, to assist a community in Turkana in Northern Kenya. This came about as a result of our fact-finding visit in this region which revealed that the people in this community walked around without clothes! A shipment of clothing is currently in the process of being sent to the rural areas of Kenya. Going forward, this clothing drive will be an annual project to this area, as well as other Regions. View report

HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM IN KENYA
A team of medical practitioners left the United States on January 17, 2004 to Kenya for a week-long Health Awareness Program. This program was embarked on as a way to provide medical care, public health education and medical supplies donation to public and private clinics in the rural areas of Nairobi. This event also served as a train-a-trainer program for healthcare personnel in the area of HIV-AIDS.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Health Infrastructure Plan (H.I.P)
We propose to implement a Health Infrastructure Plan (H.I.P) focusing on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and caregivers. This will be in partnership with other public and private organizations that support and fund such programs.

VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES
In several parts of Africa, we have identified that young women engage in full-time prostitution as a means of livelihood, due to a lack of skills and a high unemployment rate. These women have become vehicles for the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS virus. AMNA plans to set up vocational training institutes to retrain in self-sustaining and creative skills such as dressmaking, cookery, childcare and basic computer skills. There is also a high incidence rate of promiscuity among secondary school girls engaged in pre-marital sex, which results in teenage pregnancies and births. AMNA plans to set up a vocational training institute to give these girls who have abandoned their education, an opportunity to be gainfully employed in basic skills. The Institute will provide training in a wide range of basic skills to enhance the quality of life of these young girls.
Cyber Cafes
The high percentage of HIV/AIDS disease carriers among youth and children in this community has informed this plan. The cyber cafes will train young boys in basic computer skills, etc., with a view to seeking gainful employment. AMNA will also provide support for their medical conditions.
Orphanage, South Africa
We plan to build a multi-purpose facility to house an orphanage, counseling center and a rehabilitation center in South Africa. This will be in collaboration and cooperation with the management of the facility currently based in Heidelberg, South Africa.
Schools
We will partner with other organizations in establishing and/or improving schools and vocational centers, focusing on training and equipping children and youth in Africa in basic educational skills including HIV/AIDS awareness.
Health Centers
We propose to establish simple but functional health centers and clinics in many locations as possible, which will provide the basic healthcare services needed in these communities.