In February 2009, Sneha Charitable Trust (SCT) started a new project- Livelihood Program for PLHIVs. The program is being implemented with the assistance from Caritas Italiana. The goal of the project is Sustained income generation and asset creation for individuals and families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. The beneficiaries will be socio economically marginalized individuals and families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.
It is found that systematic interventions to enhance the livelihood potentials and capacities of PLHIV can leverage their purchase capacity, asset creation, access of essential facilities and overall Quality Of Life. At present, the rate of access to the basic amenities of life among PLHIV is very poor because of the rapid increase in living cost. The loss of job due to stigma and discrimination or ill health and the allied drastic decrease in income make them compromise with regular medical check ups, medicines, expenses on treatment related traveling, nutritious food and other house hold expenditures. The Quality Of Life drains out here in this situation. A radical change in the approach to the issues of PLHIV is highly warranted. The issues of livelihood are as important as other components like medical care, nutritional care, counseling etc.
The interventions on livelihood stem out of psychosocial and advocacy services and efforts. A participatory assessment of livelihood issues and challenges can draw a clear picture about the past and present expenditure patterns and the allied critical gaps. The PLHIVs or family members, if supplemented with skill inculcation or enhancement training programmes with access to micro-credit can earn a decent living and live with self- reliance. This financial freedom of PLHIV or their families can contribute to their mental strength and eventually to their longevity.
There are efficient and effective intervention for the care, support and treatment for PLHIV across the state. There are good working systems to address the issues on psychosocial, medical, nutritional areas. The issues on livelihood are often dealt with referral and linkage services. But the systems of referral services are not so strong to yield the desired effect. Many of these livelihood referral/ linkage efforts end up in half way due to many reasons like stigma and discrimination, illiteracy, less negotiation skills, and lack of assets or capital. It is at this juncture the thought of initiating sustainable systems addressing livelihood issues originated. SCT intents to club the Livelihood Project with the ongoing activities of each CCCs without much inputs on personnel, infrastructure and other running expenses. The livelihood intervention will be added to the key services of the CCC. The environment of CCCs is so conducive for the effective and efficient implementation of the project. The participatory implementation strategies existing with the CCCs will also help to develop locally suitable and sustainable working components for the livelihood project.
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