Faith-Based Perspective will Transform AIDS Intervention
11/30/2009
Aliza Waxman on perceptions, AIDS and faith in Botswana
I came to Botswana with my own stereotypes about faith-based organizations (FBO) in Africa. I believed that FBOs primarily preached against condom use and steered international funding away from other community based organizations for the purpose of church indoctrination. I also arrived with an understanding that Botswana had the money, skills and capacity for successful HIV/AIDS interventions, yet had not been very successful in preventing the onset of new infections.
I was sent to Gaborone, Botswana with the Volunteer Health Corps, a program of the American International Health Alliance, to work as an organizational development advisor to Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program (BOCAIP), a faith-based organization that provides HIV counseling and testing services throughout the country. My assignment here was to figure out how BOCAIP, a highly recognized and respected NGO could become the leading FBO in providing HIV prevention services in Botswana, and most effectively fit into the vast array of players working towards a solution.
In Botswana, a major contributing factor to the HIV and AIDS problem is multiple concurrent partnerships (MCP), when men and women have sex with multiple partners. MCP is a universal issue, yet has had dire consequences on a country with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Addressing this problem requires a focus on behavior change, which, like any other campaign for transforming human behavior, requires patience, strategic planning and a commitment to finding a sustainable solution. After two months in Botswana, I have come to realize that it is the faith-based perspective and its emphasis on behavior change that will transform this country.
As a faith-based organization, BOCAIP's philosophy, which is upheld entirely by the attitudes, beliefs and actions of the staff, genuinely represents the true face of behavior change with regard to rebuilding marital and familial relationships in Botswana. BOCAIP's programs focus on empowering children and adults to realize the value in having faithful relationships. The organization achieves its objectives through what they refer to as family-life education - where parents learn how to speak openly with their children about sex. A youth voluntary counseling and testing program, as well as a marriage-enrichment program empower people to protect themselves from the unhealthy repercussions of infidelity and unprotected sex.
How can BOCAIP use its powerful and highly influential system to transform behavior in Botswana and move the people towards healthier and more sustainable lives?
In a country like Botswana where the majority of funding comes from international donors, it is challenging for organizations to keep in line with their original mandate. NGOs often shift their priorities to meet the needs of donors as opposed to the needs of the communities. In order for BOCAIP to become the face of behavior change with regards to HIV in Botswana, it will need to restructure its priorities to its original community-driven approach, which will get to the core of what the people in the communities truly need to continually be empowered to live healthier lives.
If I am learning anything, it is that all the funding in the world can be available in well-constructed programs for interventions, but without the voices from the community constantly informing and moving the process, NGOs will continue to struggle to achieve sustainability.
Aliza Miriam Waxman is a volunteer with the American International Health Alliance.
I shared Aliza Waxman’s blog on BOCAIP and FBOs in Botswana with one of our AIDS prevention listservs reaching over 200 professionals involved in HIV prevention and behavioral change. Thank you for this insightful comment.
Ray Martin
Christian Connections for International Health
McLean, VA
http://www.ccih.org
— Ray Martin on 2009-12-07
Thank you Aliza, for this very educational article. It has opened my eyes to what is going on in Botswana and allowed me to learn more about your work. I am thankful for that and very proud of you!!
— Ana on 2009-12-07
Thank you Aliza for sharing your thoughts on your work with BOCAIP. We look forward to supporting BOCAIP’s work through the strategic planning process and engaging communities in Botswana through our media outreach initiative.
Please note the correct web address for the American International Health Alliance: http://www.aiha.com
To learn more about our twinning programs in Africa and to apply for the Volunteer Healthcare Corps, please visit our Twinning Center website: http://www.twinningagainstaids.org
John Capati
American International Health Alliance
HIV/AIDS Twinning Center
— John Capati on 2009-12-08
Aliza, you are right.I have also come to the conclusion from my studies and research that, down here in Africa, what has really aggravated the spread of HIV/AIDS is often than not behavioral which can be taken from the cultural perspective. A culture that frowns on the sick,castigated and segregated. You know this also makes it difficult for HIV/AIDS patients to also coil in their shells instead of reporting to the hospitals for check up. This therefore makes HIV/AIDS the ‘Silent Killer’. Truly all the monies will come but may not serve the purpose. Identification of the psyche of a people and changing their attitudes will help. ‘Wholesale’ governmental policies on HIV/AIDS to cover entire nations without looking for the peculiarities of a people is also one of the reasons that also make it difficult to combat this ‘silent killer.’ All the best in your work,keep it up.
— Harry Kofi Arkhurst on 2009-12-08
Thank you for that. I am curious as to what sort of work you are involved in?
— Aliza Waxman on 2009-12-08
If anyone would like to further contact me to discuss my work I can be reached at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
— Aliza Waxman on 2009-12-09
Aliza - thanks for this article. What I want to know is whether there is a clash between “faith” and “culture” on their approach to HIV/AIDS in Botswana?
— Emilar Vushe on 2010-01-10