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Handover of Resource Centres to Monarch and Gerald Communities in Francistown.

The managing Director of The African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships ACHAP Dr Themba L. Moeti was in Francistown on March 23rd, to handover resource centers to the communities of Gerald and Monarch. ACHAP is a public private development partnership between the Botswana Government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Merck Co. Inc. ACHAP was established in 2000 to enhance and support Botswana’s National HIV/AIDS programme through a comprehensive approach across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, care and support through 2009.
ACHAP support to government is aligned to support four of the five key goals outlined in the National Strategic Framework (NSF) for HIV/AIDS 2003-2009:

  1. Prevention and HIV infection
  2. Provision of treatment, care and support
  3. Strengthened management of the
  4. Psycho-social and economic impact mitigation.

Speaking at the ceremony Dr Moeti said that the resource centers were handed to the communities after consultations were made to establish those communities that needed them most. He said that ACHAP will continue working tirelessly with the community and organizations like DAMSAC to assist them in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

One of the two resource Centres ACHAP MD Dr Themba Moeti cutting the ribbon at one of the Centres Dignitaries at the Handover Choir entertaining at the event

The resource centers are fully air conditioned and equipped with a library for people to come to the center and research on issues of HIV and AIDS. The furniture and equipment at the centers was donated by various government departments. The resource centers are also equipped with computers and telephones and there are plans to establish internet connection in the near future to facilitate more efficient research. They are manned by volunteers from the community who will assume various roles like those of librarians and counselors. The Gerald center is located at the SHHA offices while the Monarch one is located at the Ntshe Clinic.

When giving a word of appreciation, the District commissioner Sylvia Mudzila encouraged the community to make good use of the centers as it will assist them with information on HIV/AIDS. She said that there will be counselors and librarians available at the center on a daily basis to assist them with whatever services they might need. Mudzila also gave thanks to the city council for allowing the centers to be allocated in their courtyards. She encouraged members of the community to support the volunteers and also make efforts to ensure that lacking facilities are installed.

Keabetswe Ngudu and Kagiso Philime members of the youth in the two communities said they intend to use the resource centers to research on issues of HIV/AIDS so that they acquire knowledge.

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