SIKYOMU DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Started as a Community Based Organization that was established in 2006 by a group of five people who tested positive.

sikyomu promotes, protects and sustains rights of the disadvantaged/vulnerable people most especially people with HIV/AIDS, TB and also the elderly and Adolescent girls and young women(AGYW) by addressing the root causes of poverty, unjust social and economic structures. We also partner with digital internet service providers(ISPs) to support AGYW

sikyomu since its inception has served over 32,000 Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and 3000 households with social economic strengthening packages like the Empowerment and livelihood for Adolescents(ELA) Program which integrates education, social empowerment and economic empowerment in order to prepare girls for lives as strong, resilient and adoptable adults. Through ELA. Sikyomu offers AGYW a safe space near their homes to socialise with other girls as well as training in life skills and livelihoods and access to microfinance. in addition sikyomu rolls lout village saving and loans association(VSLA) and financial literacy program among AGYW, their partners and guardians/caretakers to improve household income.

The project also partners with sibuuka – a ugandan fintech company specialising in digital financial software for rural savings and 10 of our girls VSLA groups.

SIKYOMU is currently implementing the LPHS TB – URBAN Activity in Koome HCIII and its neighboring communities of Ddamba HCII and Kasambwe HCII in partnership with IDI( Infectious disease institute) funded by PEPFAR. The major objectives are

1) increase screening, detection and linkage to treatment of all forms of confirmed TB in infants, adolescents, adults at facility and community levels in Koome islands.

ii) increase treatment success rates to 90% among patients enrolled on TB treatment in the catchment area of Koome

iii) To achieve 100%screening of all contacts of confirmed TB cases in the targeted communities.

sikyomu additionally works with Peace corps volunteers and currently sikyomu is working with Zoe O’Halloran who has been given a local name of Nantongo form NKIIMA Clan. Currently she is implementing a grant called” ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR VULNERABLE WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE-PEACE CORPS GRANT

This project is being supported by peace corps and works with HIV positive and high brisk women aged 15- 39 in village savings and loans Association(VSLA) groups previously established through the DREAMS program. These women face heightened vulnerability to HIV due to poverty , caregiving responsibilities and limited access to sustainable incomes. Many are forced to engage in risky behaviours to support themselves and their families while those living with HIV often experience stigma ad discrimination that further limits their economic opportunities.

This project aims to reduce HIV vulnerability and transmission, improve health outcomes for plhiv and ease the social and economic burden of the epidermic by equipping women with sustainable income generating activities( IGAs). over a four month period, 6groups will receive support to implement IGAs such as Pig rearing, poultry farming, cattle rearing and safe water provision. Each group selects an activity based on both their needs and those of the community.

for example one group manages a national water tap, providing safe , accessible water in a community where residents travel long distances – exposing them to risks such as road accidents and gender based violnce.

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