Smile Community Center Advocates for equal rights of PLHIV by providing counseling, medical support referrals and educational support to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS continues to affect many people in the Sub-Saharan Africa. A red ribbon is a global symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. It is also represented on our logo to represent target groups which we support through referrals for medical care, feeding program, education program among other charity programs we run.
A red ribbon photo by Anna Shvets. It is worn to represent solidarity and care for people living with HIV/AIDS in the world
According to the Inventory of HIV&AIDS Research and Evaluation Studies (2005-2011) released by the government of Kenya under National Aids Control Council, In 2007, 67% of the 33 million people who were living with HIV were in sub-Saharan Africa ,where women bear the greater burden hence having a direct impact to children.
In the informal settlements of Nairobi, Most women and children affected by HIV&AIDS are left displaced by the circumstances and are afraid of stigma and discrimination.
Smile community center identified this problem and came in to give support to this vulnerable group.
The target groups are:
- Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS due to death of parents (We provide children counseling, shelter, education, food and group referrals for group therapy and medical care)
- Abused women where we provide refferal for counseling and any help within our reach. We do not provide shelter services for any adults but only affected children in our children home under the authorization letters / documentations from the police, court or children’s office.
Our feeding program also provides target population in the informal settlements by providing food items to promote nutrition.