UNICEF: Project Hope supports families with HIV in Cameroon

NJINICOM, Cameroon, 1 July 2008 -- Eric Nking and his wife Mary Mbeng are raising 10 children. Besides four of their own, they take care of the four children of Eric's deceased sister and two other orphaned children who are unrelated to them.

Mr. Nking and Ms. Mbeng live in Njinicom, in Cameroon's North West Province, where a small garden and some livestock provides an income for their large family. Both the husband and wife are HIV-positive. And for both, the diagnosis was a very difficult time in their lives.

The couple has come to terms with HIV because of Project Hope, a comprehensive, community-based HIV prevention and support programme. After their diagnosis, they joined a Project Hope support group.

Project Hope's outreach work often starts in the local marketplace, where people gather not only to shop but to exchange information. The Market Outreach Programme is one place where young people can talk openly about HIV.

"It's something that's been developed throughout Cameroon," said UNICEF Regional AIDS Advisor Eric Mercier. "It's a very simple way of engaging young people, and for them to make changes about risky behaviour and ways to address risky situations."

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/cameroon_44672.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• HIV
• AIDS
• HIV/AIDS
• Project
• Hope
• Cameroon

[Mbah33]

God bless you and your family Eric!!!