Nutrition and peer support for HIV+ patients

GAIA's Nutritional Support Program has been in existence 2008; we're close to celebrating 10 years, and every penny of support comes from indiviual donors like you!

The nutrtion program was created in response to issues around adherence to HIV treatment. GAIA’s doctors were quick to realize that food insecurity was negatively impacting patients’ ability to correctly take medications. The program has long been a core part of GAIA’s community initiatives to foster a social support network for people living with HIV.

And what types of issues do people face? A UNAIDS study asked, "would you buy fresh vegetables from a shopkeeper or vendor if you knew that this person had HIV?” and 46% of Malians responded “No”.

So in addition to managing their treatment, people living with HIV in Mali can potentially lose their jobs or livelihoods from severe social stigmatization. The “Sikoro Hope” HIV+ Peer Support Group cooks meals twice a week for all of the HIV+ community members, their children, and the clinic staff. Sharing a meal together between patients and staff is an important stigma-reducing activity that also provides critical nutritional support.

Despite the current lack of adequate space and materials, the HIV+ women's assocaition members display their commitment through their weekly preparation of meals.  As leaders, they manage the program each week and also make recommendations for  program improvements.

Our Nutritional Support Program served 10,491 meals to HIV+ adults and their children from 2015 to 2017, and your support is crucial for purchasing food, cooking tools, and fuel.

Will you help us celebrate a decade of this important program? Your contribution provides not only food, but community and a support network for people living with HIV in Mali.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,