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Ouagadougou, December 18, 2008 — It’s1997 and a young woman from Burkina Faso has just been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. “You are only carrying the virus,” says the medical technician who gives her the news.

In 1997, in West Africa where the HIV/AIDS epidemic had not undertaken the devastating toll on lives that it had in East and Central Africa, receiving a positive diagnosis for HIV/AIDS was like receiving a death sentence.

With a husband in denial and children to care for, the young lady set out to find comfort and care, but none was available. She felt like an outcast. So, with four other friends who had also been diagnosed with the virus and who were also seeking help, she endeavored to create a much needed support system.

Today, 10 years later, the membership of her organization, Responsibility Hope Life and Solidarity (in French REVS+), has grown from four dedicated friends to over 200 active members. The activities of the organization include getting access to antiretroviral drugs for over 550 people living with HIV.

Help for Children and Widows

Burkina has made great strides in addressing HIV/AIDS particularly for vulnerable groups such as orphans and children living with the virus, commercial sex workers and at-risk populations. From providing financial assistance to those affected and infected to creating an environment where the infected can find the comfort and the medical assistance necessary to become active members of society, REVS+ has sought to assist those who would not otherwise have received help.

REVS+ was one of the first non-governmental organizations to provide counseling prior to and post counseling. The group also helped children by paying school fees and providing food and clothing. For children who have lost both parents to HIV/AIDS, REVS+ provides foster care inside and outside of the family.

“REVS+ has helped me through primary school and now I am going to vocational school,” said one beneficiary. “I can help my younger siblings also go to school.”

Another young girl, who benefited from REVS+ help, said she was able to obtain a certificate in tailoring and now has opened her own little shop which feeds her five younger siblings.

“Without them we would be on the streets or perhaps dead,” she said.

In addition to providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children, REVS+ helps widows by conducting vocational training (training sessions are open to the public) and assisting with seed funding to begin small businesses. Several of the beneficiaries of the seed money have expanded and helped others. REVS+ also provides assistance to practicing commercial sex workers. With three full-time medical doctors on site, the organization provides treatment for sexually transmitted infections and conducts home visits. The group also provides training on behavior change, nutrition and fund mobilization.

Where Does the Money Come From?

Most REVS+ funding comes from external donors, such as the Dutch Cooperation, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, other UNAIDS partners and the World Bank through its support of the government.

The selling of craft items by women members of the association as well as a small contribution from all members also contributes to the overall operating cost of the NGO. And private sponsors contribute to some activities such as the financing of theater performances, sensitization campaigns and condom purchases.

While REVS+ has done much for its membership, it hopes to expand its reach and scale up its prevention, care and support activities in more regions of Burkina. For the moment, REVS+ has chapters in Bougouriba in the Province of Diébougou, in Ioba in Dano Province and in Tuy in Houndé. REVS+ also hopes to expand its partnership to other parts of Africa.

By Tshiya Subayi, Health Specialist, Lionel Yaro, Public Information Assistant, World Bank