Constituency Served

persons living with HIV/AIDS

Details of Work

Initiated as a support group for children living with HIV/AIDS, MILANA is today a vibrant network that provides a platform for people to meet, share and understand the challenges and opportunities of PLHIV (Persons Living with HIV). The network gives special attention to women and children and promotes positive living, self-reliance and reduction of infection rates through HIV and AIDS education, prevention, treatment and care. Through its various programmes, MILANA intends to harness the strength and skills of PLHIV to fight for their rights to lead a quality life with dignity, determination and access to comprehensive care; challenge discrimination, stigma and isolation; advocate for their rights and the rights of their children; support one another Psychologically; share experiences and encourage each other; and develop coping strategies. MILANA strongly advocates for the rights of children and has initiated CHIGURU - a children' support group in 2006, to provide a space for them to come together and help in finding options for their problems. CHIGURU offers children a platform to talk about their grief, fear, anger and also their needs, hopes and dreams. It also helps them develop coping skills to deal with their problems. They take an active role in educating their communities about HIV and AIDS and share their experiences so others learn that they are not alone. Training programmes and sharing information strengthens this forum and builds the leadership skills of the children. The members of the forum meet once in a month.