GIVE A
PROMISE of HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS The programme has given us power and a new hopeful life. For five years, USPG has been partnering with the Anglican Church of Tanzania, which runs the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission programme. Tanzania is significantly affected by HIV and AIDS, the death rate is thankfully reducing. Sadly, however, mother-to-child transmission of the virus is still a real challenge. A baby born with HIV is unlikely to see their fifth birthday. So many mothers have held their new-borns full of hope, while also knowing the stark reality of the challenges that they and their precious babies face. Estimates from UNAIDS show that 150,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2019. This can happen during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or breastfeeding. Many mothers are not aware that there is hope, thanks to improved nutrition and increased access to antiretroviral treatment. This programme provides both the practical and medical support needed to prevent the virus being passed on from mothers to their children. It does this by: • providing antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding for women with HIV • providing counselling and contraceptives for women living with HIV • working closely with the maternal health services to provide full care for women. Thanks to this work, a whole community now has hope and a future. All the babies that are born as part of this programme are born HIV free. The programme has also helped women become more confident and address other challenges they face such as climate change. In recent years East Africa has seen crops fail and families’ livelihoods reduced. Often, women with HIV become too unwell to work the land or run small businesses to provide for their families. The impact of the change in climate affects women and children the most. As women gain confidence and hope they can seek solutions for the challenges they face. They no longer feel ashamed but have hope for a new future for themselves and their families. Their improved health and confidence means they are more likely to be involved in income generating activities. Following are the stories of just two of the mothers that the programme has helped.
Baby Daniel
Rehema and Agnes
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