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An Evaluation of the MoH/NGO Home Care Programme for People with HIV/AIDS in CambodiaIt was clear that the HCT had also had a significantimpact on knowledge and understandingof HIV/AIDS, especially modes of transmission."Before the home care team visited our villagewe knew nothing about HIV/AIDS. Thanks to them,people now know about prevention. They have alsolearnt about sanitation and how to take care ofthemselves"[Village Association Leader, Ko Koh]"Before the home care team came we did noteven dare to approach people with AIDS. Now wecan touch them, hold them, eat with them and helpto feed them"[Village Headman, Ko Koh]This latter comment provoked a barrage ofquestions from the 4 leaders from the 2 villageswhich were not visited by the HCT. These fourmen seemed genuinely surprised that peoplecould touch and eat with PLHA, and wanted toknow about methods of transmission. Theimpact of the HCT's HIV/AIDS educationprogramme was clearly demonstrated when theleaders from the 5 villages visited by the HCTprovided the answers themselves.It should be noted that, in addition to theirHome Care Team, KRDA have a PreventionTeam operating in the area, who may (also) havebeen responsible for educating the community.In order to avoid duplication of effort, KRDA arein the process of combining their Care andPrevention Programmes.The community leaders suggested appointingvolunteers to act as liaison persons in eachvillage, to provide a nodal link with the HCT.These volunteers would need to be trained andwould require a little financial support. The leadersfelt that, with adequate resources and support, asystem of volunteers would be key to reaching allPLHA in rural areas.6.4 VolunteersThe team has recruited 4 Volunteers, two of whomare themselves HIV+. The Volunteers receive astipend of $15 per month (compared with $12 inPhnom Penh). As the Volunteers live in thecommunity, they have established close links withthe patients and play a major role in providingcounselling and support to PLHA, their families andcaregivers. As in Phnom Penh, the Volunteers arebecoming a major source of referral of patients.There is apparently no shortage of volunteerswilling to work alongside the HCT, but thenumber that can be recruited is limited by thefinancial resources available in the NGO grants tosupport them.6.5 Access/coveragepg 64It is clear that one HCT is limited in its ability toreach the majority of PLHA. Moung RusseyDistrict, covering an area of some 1000 sq km,has 13 communes, and the HCT presentlyworks in 9 of these. The team visits patients in21 villages, but they are unable to cover the