Nutrition and peer support for HIV+ patients

Meals are an important part of Malian culture. At meal times, families often gather around a communal dish, sharing an assortment of grains, yams, vegetables, and occasionally meats. However, food insecurity, defined as a lack of reliable access to affordable quality food is high in Mali. Food insecurity has increased in Mali with more frequent droughts and regional instability after the 2012 coup. A 2019 report by the World Food Program estimated 330,0000 people in Mali to be food insecure and the number is expected to rise throughout the rest of this year. 

It is well known that a healthy diet is essential when undergoing medical treatments. However, many Malians do not have access to consistent nutritious meals which can inhibit effective healing. GAIA and the Hope Center Clinic understand the importance of healthy meals when battling HIV, which inspired the creation of the “Nutrition and Peer Support for HIV+ Patients” program in 2008 that provides meals to clinic patients twice per week. 

GAIA’s support to the Hope Center Clinic’s nutrition program is an essential way to support patients and their families. The program has continued to hold bi-weekly meals which are prepared by HIV+ patients. Not only does the program provide nutritious meals to patients, it also helps to destigmatize HIV in the community. Both patients and their families are welcome to attend and during the first 6 months of 2019, 1,870 meals have already been served in Bamako. 

With your continued support to GAIA and the Hope Center Clinic, we will be able to continue supporting the Bamako community. A donation of just $10 provides a weekly meal to an HIV+ patient. Please visit our Global Giving page to learn more about how you can help us prepare meals in Bamako today.