christian hiv & aids network of liberia (chanol) presented by: selma scott gibson co-presented...
TRANSCRIPT
CHRISTIAN HIV & AIDS NETWORK OF LIBERIA (CHANOL)
Presented by: Selma Scott GibsonCo-presented by: Rev. Moses B. Gobah
MAP OF LIBERIA
PURPOSES
To provide a brief background of the Network (CHANOL)
Explain the benefit of Technology to the improvement of the Network activities
INTRODUCTION The Christian HIV & AIDS Network
of Liberia (CHANOL) is a non-governmental Faith Based Organization comprising Churches and Para-Church Organizations with a membership of 32 Churches and Christian organizations
VISION
To ensure the Reduction of the Incidence of HIV & AIDS in Liberia
MISSION
To effectively consolidate and coordinate the Christians’ and partners’ response to HIV & AIDS through NETWORKING and COLLABORATION.
BACKGROUND
The Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic Churches met in 2002 to establish a forum that would facilitate networking amongst Churches and other Christian organizations to forge partnership with other stakeholders to initiate advocacy for a positive Christian response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Liberia.
BACKGROUND CONT’DIn 2006, CHANOL solicited partnership
with PACANET. In June 2006, PACANET made an
assessment visit to Liberia As a result, a six-member taskforce was
constituted to facilitate the networking relationship between CHANOL and PACANET
NETWORK FORMATION
Thereafter, the taskforce through the support of PACANet identified a consultant to undertake the situation analysis of the Church response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Liberia.
The report from the situation analysis was presented to the “Called to Action” Church Leaders Conference.
Call to Action Conference
A Call to Action Conference “CAC” drew 51 participants from 12 Christian Denominations and 13 Christian Organizations
CAC OBJECTIVES
To share the results of the situational analysis report; and
To start a process of building trust and working relations among the church leaders in envisioning the future together so as to respond to HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Call to Action Conference Participants
BISHOP CONFERENCE
The broad objective of the Bishops’ conference was to solicit the inputs and commitment of the Church leadership to jointly reflect on the issues of HIV & AIDS, in an effort to foster a coordinated Christian response.
PARTICIPANTS AT BISHOPS and SENIOR CHURCH LEADERS CONFERENCE
Bishops and Senior Church Leaders Communiqué
Whereas, we acknowledge and realize the comparative advantage and leadership role of the Church to effectively address the underlying, fundamental threats posed by this pandemic;
We, therefore, observe, resolve and commit to the followings: That HIV & AIDS is NOT a curse or punishment from God, but a disease
that can infect ANYONE; To participate in the effective prevention of further spread of HIV and to
mitigate the impact of HIV & AIDS; To engage in Family Life Education as a critical entry point for effective
prevention of HIV; To amplify the voice of the Church on critical issues regarding HIV and
AIDS; To combat Stigma and Discrimination against all persons infected and
affected by HIV & AIDS;
Communiqué Cont’d To develop HIV & AIDS policies to provide guideline and
direction for our church practices, teachings and intervention initiatives;
To respond with Christ like compassion and care to all persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS;
To engage strategic partners and individuals in rigorous resource mobilization campaigns to avail resources for the implementation of the intervention initiatives of the Church;
To establish an effective collaborative front under the umbrella of the Christian HIV & AIDS Network of Liberia (CHANOL) to coordinate a consolidated Christian response to HIV & AIDS in Liberia;
Therefore, we pledge to work together in a united front to address HIV & AIDS.
Church Leaders workshop on Stigma &
Discrimination The aim of the training was to facilitate Church Leaders to acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and positive attitudes necessary for improved responses and actions on HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination in the Church
The training brought together 33 delegates representing 23 churches and 10 organizations.
Participants at Church Leaders workshop on stigma & discrimination
Change Agent Training
The purpose of the Change Agents training is to identify and build a core group of individuals who will drive a process for a shift in paradigm in the overall Christian response to HIV and AIDS.
A total of twenty-one (21) participants, representing a wide range of denominations and Christian organizations attended the training.
Partial view of participants during a working session at Change Agent Training
CONSENSUS BUILDING CONFERENCE
The Consensus Building Conference was a critical step in the network development;
It introduce a new dimension in the management of the Country Christian AIDS Network, Christian HIV and AIDS Network of Liberia (CHANOL)
Consensus Building Conference Objective
To facilitate the delegates to design the strategic direction of the CCANet; and
To elect a governing body to assume the responsibility of administration of the CCANet
Participants at Consensus Building Conference
CHANOL BOARDAt the end of the Consensus Building
Conference, an eleven member board was elected and commissioned to serve a three year period
The Board membership comprise individuals from churches as well as Christian organizations
Cross Section of Board Members
PARTNERSHIPCHANOL in Partnership with Mercy ship
invited Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha to Liberia in 2007
During his visit, a capacity building was conducted for members of CHANOL
Two conferences were also hosted for church leaders at which time 67 persons who attended the conference prompted to do HIV test
Rev. Canon Gideon Posted with some members of CHANOL
PARTNERSHIP Cont’d
Between 2003 – 2005 CHANOL received separate grants from UNDP, USAID, CRS, ELCA, and WFP to sent 23 Liberian Counselors to Bostwana for advance Training of Trainers in HIV and AIDS Counseling.
A FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN SIX (6) THEMATIC AREAS AS FOLLOWS:
To conduct research to avail information for the enhancement of the Christian response to HIV and AIDS in Liberia;
FIVE YEARS (2009 – 2013) STRATEGIC PLAN
STRATEGIC PLAN CONT’DTo create the forum or mechanism for
networking and partnership amongst churches, Christian organizations and relevant stakeholders responding to HIV and AIDS in Liberia
To empower the Church to have a strong voice (advocacy) in shaping policies and promoting the welfare of persons living with HIV in Liberia;
STRATEGIC PLAN CONT’DTo build the capacity of CHANOL
constituency for an effective response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Liberia;
To mobilize resources to support the HIV and AIDS interventions of the CHANOL constituency;
To develop the institutional capacity of CHANOL, so as to achieve the above strategic objectives
BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGYSince the establishment of the
network, Technology remain the major facilitator to the achievement of the organization’s goal
The Internet and phone (especially mobile) continue to serve as the fastest medium in communicating with our members and partners
BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY CONT’D
The usage of the Internet (Web) is essential in getting acquainted with the works of other partners and stakeholders; Example: CCIH
Most important among those equipments was the computer that remain the easier tool for writing reports and other data storage
LESSON LEARNTNetworking among Churches and other
Christian Organization where members learn from each other and avoid duplication
Member churches are able and ready to take ownership in responding to HIV when well facilitated
Fighting stigma through local congregation, especially the use of the pulpit brings about change of attitude towards PLHIV
CHALLENGESLack of adequate funding
Slow progress in de-centralization Inability to control monitoring and
evaluation
End of Presentation
Thanks!!!Q & A