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3.8.2.i CASE STUDIES: Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS – ACORD and JESE
a. Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) implemented a water, sanitation and fuelsaving
stove project for vulnerable households, supported by Jersey Oversees Agency, targeting 450 HIV/AIDSaffected
households in 8 sub counties in Mbarara, Isingiro and Kiruhura Districts. This was in response to the low
water coverage in these sub counties compared with district and national rates. Reviews in the target area
revealed that HIV/AIDS-affected households require more water, better sanitation and better cooking facilities and
improved nutrition, due to their vulnerability to opportunistic infections. No deliberate efforts were made to
target them by other actors. Support included construction of domestic rainwater harvesting tanks, improved pit
latrines and smoke-free improved fuel-saving stoves. Capacity building was conducted, benefiting 20 orphans and
360 group members, through training for masons, and training workshops on hygiene and sanitation, group
dynamics and management, resource mobilisation, kitchen gardening and nutrition. By project completion, 2,200
people from the benefiting households had acquired access to safe water and improved sanitation and cooking
facilities. Preliminary testimonies indicate that this has translated into improved health due to reduced prevalence
of related illnesses. The orphans benefiting from the training interventions are now using these skills to earn a
living, having been hired by other community members wishing to replicate construction of the facilities.
Testimony: Jova, 35, a widow and mother of 3, is a resident of Rukukuru village, Rubaya Sub County living with HIV,
surviving on income from a small grocery business in the nearby trading centre. “Before I was supported with this
tank I used to spend 600/= daily to buy two jerrycans of water. At times my children would go to fetch water before
school, wasting time meant for schoolwork. Today, with the tank at my doorstep, I am able to save this money
which I use to buy scholastic materials for my children and they can go to school early enough”…”every November I
would suffer from typhoid and malaria but since I got this tank I have not fallen sick”.
Lessons learnt: project benefits include reduction in WASH-related diseases and time spent collecting water. It has
enhanced the confidence and living standards of this marginalised group. Full involvement of beneficiaries, local
authorities and government personnel in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project is important
for project success. Community cohesion and unity has been enhanced – water tank beneficiaries share water with
neighbours. Sustainability has been enhanced: hands-on training enabled beneficiaries to acquire skills for tank,
stove and latrine construction, enabling neighbouring households to replicate some technologies. Government
extension workers resident in the communities have been actively involved in project implementation.
Conclusion: The project has improved the health and livelihoods of HIV/AIDS- affected households, building the
capacity of groups to continue with activities after ACORD’s withdrawal. The project outcomes will have a lasting
impact on the wellbeing and health of HIV/AIDS-affected people and should be emulated as beneficial
interventions for mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in our communities since it responds to a number of socioeconomic
issues in one package. Water, sanitation and nutrition projects should be utilised as a strategy of
mainstreaming gender and HIV/AIDS in all programme work, benefiting the most vulnerable groups in society such
as widows and orphans.
b. JESE: HIV AND AIDS MAINSTREAMING IN WATER HYGIENE AND SANITATION
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Jova stands beside her tank; and
testing the fuel-saving stove;
photograph by ACORD