AIDS Response

Goa State OVC convention on HIV and AIDS for NGOs and Heath Care Providers with the theme ""Empowering children for HIV and AIDS Mitigation" was organized on 5th, 6th, and 7th May 2009 by World Vision India joining hands with GSACS and Zindagi Gao at Assembly Hall Porvorim, Panjim, Goa.

The objectives of the state convention were to strengthen efforts for
advocacy for child rights, child protection; building and sustaining
strategic alliance with Government, NGOs, CBOs, PLHIV and FBOs and to raise concerns of orphans and vulnerable children. Around 117 Participants from 27 NGOs from India attended the 3 days convention.

Dr. Rajnanda Desai, Director DHS on her key note address stressed on
community participation involving collaboration of different bodies and people across the board. She lauded especially the work and contribution of nuns and other congregations who are involved in the efforts for the welfare of OVCs.

Mrs Manisha Naik – Chairperson Goa State Social Welfare Department
congratulated the organisers for organizing this significant convention.

She related the organisers like a sculpture who chip away pieces from a marble block and shape up an idol from it. In the same way sculpture needs dedication and concentration for creating one’s artistic marvel; people work in the area need to give concentration and dedication on their work.

Dr Pradeep Padwal, Project Director of Goa State AIDS Control Society
(GSACS) expressed concern over the fact that on an average 3-4 new HIV
infections are detected in every day in Goa and there are nearly 40 children who are orphaned by AIDS.

Mrs Sushma, National Coordinator for HIV AIDS, World Vision India said that WVI has its operation in 24 states involved in addressing a wide range of social problems such as social justice, poverty alleviation and mitigating the problems of families affected with and infected by HIV. She also added that over one lakh people are provided with prevention, care and support and capacity building services in its HIV AIDS Sector.

Mr. Azad, President of Zindagi, Goa expressed his concern over increasing number of children living with HIV AIDS and children orphaned in Goa. He added the network of people living with HIV AIDS is the platform to provide psychosocial support and build confidence among those affected by HIV AIDS.

Mrs Asha, Advocacy officer INP+ presented her own struggle in caring for her child and urged more NGOs and intervention to support needs of
children.

Mrs Padma, Program Manager (Policy) from HIV AIDS Alliance India explained about home and community based care and support for Children affected with HIV undertaken by them in India. Based on her interaction with guardians of OVCs she felt that current programs are inadequate in meeting the real needs of these children.

Other key NGOs like, FXB India- Suraksha, Presentation Society, Positive People Goa, TNNP+, and Buds of Christ, Chennai, shared their experiences and best practices in their work for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Mr. Balurkar, Secretary Goa State Social Welfare Department shared various Government schemes available from his department. Mr. Reni Jacob, National Advocacy Director, WV India urged on building capacity of OVC children so that they can advocate themselves for their rights.

Master Anoop (name changed) representative of OVC, presented a charter of demands of OVCs, prepared by children at the meeting. He appeals to adults to hear and act the voices of children. Later, Children’s Comic exhibition was inaugurated by the Dr. Pradeep Padwal, Project Director GSACS and he initiated the signature campaign in pledging commitment to the concerns of orphans and
vulnerable children in India.

Regards
Allen

Allen Benjamin