HIV Project

Malaika Project’s goals are to increase local capacity to educate the community about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, encourage condom use, support AIDS victims, provide treatment, and ultimately to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nyamuswa.
HIV incidence is approximated at 8%, with only 1% in the district having been tested. Nyamuswa faces large numbers dying weekly from AIDS, and open discussion is nearly absent. HIV testing was started in January of 2005, but few have gotten tested. Many villagers ascribe HIV/AIDS to witchcraft. The belief system of most Tanzanians rests on the idea of "curses" brought on by the actions of previous generations or jealous neighbors.
These curses are deemed responsible for injury, illness, birth defects and the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. The Western view of labeling a string of unfortunate events as "bad luck" translates to "witchcraft" in Tanzania.

 In Tanzania , many of the AIDS orphans are absorbed into large extended families.  Increasingly in Nyamuswa, an old matriarch is left caring for 13-15 of her great grandchildren as her own grandchildren have died from AIDS.  When she dies, these higher numbers of orphans put a stress on the traditional system of other relatives taking on these children.  Zinduka funds these orphans to go to school, relieving the burden on these great grandmothers and overtaxed families.

In 2004, Malaika Project collaborated with both the local and district departments
of Health and Education to conduct a seminar with primary school teachers from 26 area primary schools. Volunteers taught school teachers about HIV transmission and prevention.
Nyamuswa Drama Group were performing AIDS education plays for the local community.  Malaika Project volunteers worked with the Nyamuswa Drama Group
to develop more plays and increase the educational content of their performances. Nyamuswa Drama Group members were provided with bicycles enabling them to reach remote areas up to 50km away.

In 2005 Malaika Project volunteers conducted focus groups on barriers to condom use with men and women of different ages and prostitutes in Nyamuswa. Malaika Project started a condom distribution and education program.  Condoms are now increasingly popular, especially among men, and we always need condom donations!

Malaika Project has also been working to support HIV+ people.  We have been supporting the HIV Advocacy group SHDEPHA with technical support and helped them start a small soda business and provided them with a phone and several bicycles so they can travel on their home visiting program.  They are now seeking a motorcycle to visit homes of AIDS patients living farther in the rural communities. 

We have launched a program for AIDS patients in Nyamuswa and the surrounding area.  By providing food, medication, blankets, and mosquito nets to those who come forward, we are hoping that more will be encouraged to get tested and seek help. 
We are encouraged that some of the HIV+ community in Nyamuswa has asked for education to be able to reach out to their community, and they have requested funding for a community garden which we are currently fundraising for. We are also building a laboratory and clinic which will offer counseling, testing, and treatment for HIV and AIDS related conditions.

Malaika Project is proud to announce the JUMA FUND to focus particularly on funding the AIDS Progam, in fond memory of the community leader Juma Biria,
who founded SHDEPHA in Bunda and led a courageous fight against AIDS in his community before it took his own life in 2005.  Every dollar counts in this war against AIDS.  Please help support this fund.