Our Mission

African Community Health Inititiave (ACHI)

Provide basic health care services to those lacking access to such care in both rural Nigeria and urban Namibia.

These services include:

*Overall Physicals (including Fasting Glucose levels, Vitals, HIV/AIDS testing etc..)

*Medication Management and Maintenance programs *Disease Management

*Health Education that addresses disease prevention, hygiene and nutrition

*Consultations and referrals

Mount Sinai

A program started by Katutura State Hospital Nurse Christa Biart-Vega, who works in the ARV (antiretroviral) pediatric clinic, Mount Sinai provides HIV counseling, health education, well baby checks, formula, water and sippy cups for 105 babies and their HIV+ mothers. If the child is tested HIV- after 6 weeks of being breastfed, the hospital or clinic refers them to Christa. At this point it is important to discontinue breastfeeding: replacing breast milk with formula means that the baby will remain HIV-. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds Christa has to limit the number of mothers and babies in her program because it is a commitment to feed each child for six months. Christa did receive land in Katutura for the clinic, but lacks the funds to begin building. Not only will this building be used to continue the program that Christa has started, she also envisions it as a safe place for moms and their children, as well as a hospice for children with AIDS to peacefully die in instead of out on the streets. Your donations will go towards formula, sippy cups, water and overall costs. More money means more women can enroll in the program and with your help Nurse Christa will finally be able to have a building to go along with her amazing, life saving program!

Family Hope Sanctuary

FHS is a community based program run by Abigail Maposa located in the extremely poor settlements of Hakahana. FHS’s program helps in two ways: first, to empower women, most of whom are HIV+, TB, single mothers who are raising orphans; and second, through its school readiness program. This program reaches children who are not in the school system and provides them with an education and a safe place to stay. More importantly, the heart of FHS is its kitchen: it feeds hundreds of children each day, which for most is the only meal they will get that day. Lacking the most basic necessities of life, all of these kids are grateful for such a meal, and are in dire need of a formal education before it is too late. Your donations will go towards education, food, clothes, shoes, water and other necessities. Amazingly, $20 sends a child to school for a whole year (books and uniforms included)!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

WHere ever you go there you are!

Ahh. Im here. FINALLY! it is amazing, beautiful gorgeous green and brown.. we brought the rain with us! which is a good thing. Can't write much now, but today was filled with extreme polarization. A day in the settlements, a drive at night through the rich areas. Too many emotions, but the kids hugs solve it all.. If you ever need love, I tell ya go to a school here and they will bombard you with hugs and affection.
I am going to write tonight and post it tomorrow with some pics of our day today. I finally met both Abigail and CHrista and they are so amazing, they are so committed to their causes and it inspires me to go out and do something.

More tomorrow.

!!!!!! I cannot contain my excitment, this is finally happening and im so grateful for everything and everyone that has made this possible


Good night.

mary

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