Psychosocial shared care therapy for PWAs (Philly Lutaya Initiative Model)

ABSTRACT

Finding out one's own serostatus is a problem but it is a greater problem when one tests HIV+. The immediate feeling is loneliness; who to tell next? What will be the implication to my family? It becomes another sickness. In Uganda; a self help project focusing on shared care for PWA has been set up under the umbrella of Philly Lutaya Initiative (PLI). Description PLI was set up four years ago with the following objectives:1. To give AIDS a human face. 2. Bring together PWAs to share experiences and support each other. 3. Build working capacity among PWAs. 4. Educate the community through life experienced. Many members of Philly Lutaya have pernalised the feeling of being HIV+ i.e. copping and acceptance of the problem. Being HIV+ has been used as an entry point to draw attention to educate the community; minimise stigma and descrimination. The sensitised communities have developed positive attitudes to PWAs and this gives positive people continously upheld the morale of PWAs. If funds can allow; more PWAs initiatives should be implemented in other districts of the country