This project was implemented in Marracuene district. HIV prevalence here is estimated at 10% and the district has one of the highest numbers of village chickens in Maputo province. As women are the main carers of sick people, chickens can play an important role as they provide the women with additional resources to carry out their important task of supporting people living with AIDS.
HIV in Mozambique
HIV prevalence is particularly high in Mozambique, and in 2018, an estimated 2.2 million people were living with HIV in the country. Prevalence is estimated to be at 12.6%, the eighth highest in the world, and is most common in the southern part of the country. In young women aged 15 to 24, the estimated HIV prevalence rate is 7.2%, compared to a prevalence rate of 3% among young men in the same age group.
The families affected by HIV and AIDS are chronically unable to meet basic household food needs adequately because adults become ill, die or must provide increasing care for ill relatives or orphans. It is for this reason that nearly half of the people with HIV living in poor urban areas have a high prevalence of food insecurity. It is therefore important to ensure that people who test positive for HIV have immediate access to HIV services, including good nutrition.
What we achieved
- Improved food and nutrition security in the families of the most vulnerable women, children and people with HIV and AIDS:
- Purchased and distributed 800 village chickens (600 hens, 200 roosters) to 240 HIV and AIDS affected households;
- Trained beneficiaries on how to build chicken houses, use local feed, control ND and other chicken related diseases, monitor and evaluate vaccination campaigns;
- Trained community vaccinators against ND; and
- Implemented vaccination campaigns – three a year – to 1990 households.
More importantly, why?
Increased availability of chicken meat, eggs and income from chicken and egg sales which can be spent on more diverse food and other immediate needs for the household.
Reduced inequalities for disability and HIV and AIDS affected households by providing a step out of poverty and improved food security.
Will this work contribute to ongoing change?
Sustainability is achieved through the ongoing work of the community vaccinators, who will continue to benefit from the income received through payments from households for using their vaccination services.
We continue to fund projects of this nature throughout Mozambique through our other fundraising campaigns.
