Countries We Serve: Pemba Trust

Pemba church is located in a peri-urban area, about 60 kilometers from Choma. It lies on the major North south highway also known as the AIDS road by many international health officials. An estimated 1500 people live within the area, and the church itself ministers to approximately 230 members. Within the area, lack of jobs and income provide constant daily stresses. Being in a peri-urban area, the risk of HIV/AIDS infection is high making many vulnerable to the situation. The Ministry of Health ranks Pemba as one of the most at risk areas for spread of HIV. The church itself is still without a physical structure. Members meet in a classroom at a nearby school.

Pemba Community trust was officially initiated on 29th September, 2007. The event was attended by about 150 people, who included church members, health personnel from the nearby health facility, youths and children.

Having identified this church as a potential partner, WHIZ shared its mission and vision, the three pillars and three core values and the trust concept with the community. At this initiation meeting, the community was asked to have another meeting in the absence of WHIZ to conduct a caregiver and OVC registration, select potential projects and nominate a leadership committee. This committee of 8 people will oversee, conduct and mobilize all church members and the rest of the community to participate in the trust activities.

Orphans and Vulnerable Children

A survey conducted by WHIZ staff gave the following statistics:

Number of Caregivers: 38
Number of Orphans: 55
Vulnerable Children: 88
Total Number of Children: 143

Health Care

In Pemba, there exists a poorly staffed and equipped rural health clinic, able to provide only very basic health care. Most of the patients are referred to a health facility in the next town. This however is quite unaffordable for many. HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria are the most common diseases found in the area. The growing number of HIV positive people and children born with it is a growing source of worry in Pemba trust.

Education & Economics

There exists one primary and one secondary school within the Pemba area, but only about half of school-aged children are able to attend due to lack of school fees, uniforms and school supplies. With most of the population in the area being unemployed, the burden of sending their children to school is growing. Illiteracy is thus likely to be a future problem in this place.

Caregiver Benefits

The future of the caregivers can be bright, given support of a Community Trust. With initiation of a Trust, caregivers can begin receiving regular distributions from the profits of their livelihood activities. During distributions within existing trusts, many caregivers well up with tears in their eyes - not tears of sadness but tears of joy and gratitude. Caregivers usually receive a standard pack of supplies including a 10 kg bag of maize meal (corn meal), cooking oil, sugar, salt, laundry soap and other essentials.

In addition to agricultural projects, training in community health, OVC support and HIV related home based care will provide tangible support to the burden of sickness, disease, and death.

From the Heart

Words of a woman at the initiation meeting

"We are tired of sickness and poverty. We want to be involved in chasing poverty and disease and we'll do whatever it takes to bring development and dignity in our community".