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Infectious Disease Initiative

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Infectious Disease Initiative

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Amazon
Area: 5888268 km2
Countries:
Brazil; Peru; Suriname; France; Colombia; Guyana; Bolivia; Venezuela; Ecuador
Cities:
Santa Cruz; Manaus; La Paz
PFAF ID:
HydroBasin Level:
Baseline Water Stress:
Water Quality Stress:
Sanitation Access Stress:
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Quick Info

Countries: United Republic of Tanzania
Basins: --
Project SDGs:
Includes Sustainable Development Goals from the project and its locations.
Increase Access to Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (SDG 6.1 & 6.2)
Stakeholder Participation (SDG 6.b)
Project Tags:
Includes tags from the project and its locations.
Women & Water
Leaving No One Behind
Progress to Date: NA Increase in safer contraception practices
Services Needed: Communications & outreach
Other
Desired Partners: City
NGO / Civil Society
Language: English
Start & End Dates: Feb. 01, 2016  »  Ongoing
Project Website: www.projectkiliforkids.org/current-projects
Contextual Condition(s): PHYSICAL: Inadequate access to hygiene services, REPUTATION: Community opposition
Additional Benefits: Raised awareness of challenges among water users
Beneficiaries: Local communities / domestic users
Primary Funding Source: pool
Project Challenges: RESOURCES: Lack of financial resources, RESOURCES: Not enough participants, PROCESS: Lack of tracking against stated objectives
Project Source: User
Profile Completion: 90%

Project Overview

According to UNAIDS, as of 2016 1.5 million people in Tanzania were thought to be living with HIV- one of the world’s highest rates that is compounded by a lack of sanitation and knowledge surrounding the disease and preventative methods.

Contraception is a controversial topic within the Maasai community due to traditional, cultural, and religious perceptions surrounding their use. Not all, but many Maasai believe that condoms are associated with satanic practices and infert…

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According to UNAIDS, as of 2016 1.5 million people in Tanzania were thought to be living with HIV- one of the world’s highest rates that is compounded by a lack of sanitation and knowledge surrounding the disease and preventative methods.

Contraception is a controversial topic within the Maasai community due to traditional, cultural, and religious perceptions surrounding their use. Not all, but many Maasai believe that condoms are associated with satanic practices and infertility and as an organization we take pride in striving to dispel such myths in a respectful manner.

During our first HIV seminar in August 2019, it became evident that a serious problem was that the Maasai were largely uneducated about condoms and their actual function, as a result, condom use is reported to be at a sparse rate of 15%. We aim to increase this percentage through further educational seminars.

The battle against STDs comes full circle because everything from sanitation, general knowledge, and preventative methods are involved. Because of this, as an organization our HIV- AIDS program is one of our focal points because without progressing in any of our other goals, tackling this topic would only be a dream.

Project Photos

Basin and/or Contextual Conditions: PHYSICAL: Inadequate access to hygiene services, REPUTATION: Community opposition
Project Benefits: Raised awareness of challenges among water users
Indirect or Direct Beneficiaries: Local communities / domestic users
Primary Funding Source: Pool funding (i.e., joint funding of several partners)
Challenges: RESOURCES: Lack of financial resources, RESOURCES: Not enough participants, PROCESS: Lack of tracking against stated objectives

Project Narrative

According to UNAIDS, as of 2016 1.5 million people in Tanzania were thought to be living with HIV- one of the world’s highest rates that is compounded by a lack of sanitation and knowledge surrounding the disease and preventative methods. The Maasai communities of the Longido District in Tanzania live a pastoral life; however, this simple lifestyle is not profitable enough to support large families, which are common among the Maasai, and men travel to bigger cities, such as Arusha, in search of jobs. In recent years, pastoral living has become financially inadequate given the frequenting droughts and drying climate in Tanzania. One of the Maasai elders’ son, Danny, explained to us how in the process of striving to provide for their families, the Maasai men are unknowingly accelerating the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) within their villages- namely HIV. While working in the bigger cities, Maasai men engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with individuals of different communities from their own and unfortunately, many often contract STDs. These STDs are brought back, and consequently spread, within the Maasai villages. This problem is aggravated by a lack of knowledge regarding STDs and their prevention, general sanitation, and polygamous relationships. Even though preventative programs have been implemented throughout the country, the reach of their assistance dissipates within rural villages that do not have access to adequate resources or funding. Contraception is a controversial topic within the Maasai community due to traditional, cultural, and religious perceptions surrounding their use. Not all, but many Maasai believe that condoms are associated with satanic practices and infertility and as an organisation we take pride in striving to dispel such myths in a respectful manner. During our first HIV seminar in August 2019, it became evident that a serious problem was that the Maasai were largely uneducated about condoms and their actual function, as a result condom use is reported to be at a sparse rate of 15%. We aim to increase this percentage through further educational seminars. Although polygamous relationships are deeply rooted in Maasai culture, as an organisation we are encouraging the Maasai to engage in family planning by commiting to fewer relationships. Not only would this help to reduce the prevalence of STDs but also contain them among partners who are positive. PMTCT (Proportions of pregnant HIV positive women in priority countries).png MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION HIV can also be contracted in the womb through mother-to-child transmission. We hope to provide the Maasai community with a better understanding of STDs to protect women and new born children from the immunosuppressive effects of diseases such as HIV. Contracting HIV is only the beginning before the fatal nature of AIDS takes over, which is only exacerbated by a lack of sanitation. The battle against STDs comes full circle because everything from sanitation, general knowledge, and preventative methods are involved. Because of this, as an organisation our HIV- AIDS program is one of our focal points because without progressing in any of our other goals, tackling this topic would only be a dream.

Partner Organizations


Project Kilimanjaro is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to promote the health and wellness of women and children internationally. Using an approach consistent with preventative medicine, we work with Maasai communities in Tanzania by engaging in both educational and … Learn More

Athena Doshi
Primary Contact  

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