Summary

Program goals

The goal of the Imani Project is to make available basic medical supplies for those who are living with HIV/AIDS, and to educate caregivers to respond to physical, emotional and spiritual needs of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Key program components

The Imani Project operates Home Based Care, Medical Clinics & the Maternal and Child Health Program.

CAREKITS (sanitation and medication treatments) are given to the caretaker and each family. A guide for using the CAREKIT written in Kiswahili is included in each kit. The items are put inside a plastic bag with a zip lock closure. After the CAREKIT is initially given out and explained to the patient and caretaker, home visits continue and supplies are replenished as needed. Each year the American Imani project provides needed medical care to villagers. With the help of African project volunteers, the American medical teams hold clinics in several different villages each year. The medical clinics are held in churches, schools or other suitable buildings. The project has so far accomplished and continues to implement:

• The significant reduction of deaths from HIV/AIDS or secondary infections
• Organization of HIV-positive support groups in Masheheni and Sabaki villages that currently has 15 HIV+ individuals coming together each month to support one another, and to receive continuing education on HIV/AIDS
• Collaboration with the Kenyan Red Cross to provide transportation to Malindi District Hospital, and to provide services to HIV-positive individuals
• Reduction in the stigma surrounding AIDS, as evidenced by increasing numbers of villagers being tested, as well as greater participation in the HIV-positive support groups

The “Maternal and Child Health Program” was also registered with the Kenyan Department of Social and Health Services and became an official subcommittee of the Imani Project, with the goal and activity statement for the committee issued by the Kenyan government including education, family planning, and the provision of health care, and general support for orphaned and other needy children. This program has focused on two specific areas of need so far, diarrheal disease and basic first aid and hygiene. This need was addressed by training the African Imani Project volunteers by providing them with comprehensive information about diarrheal disease. The Maternal and Child Health program will focus on other health issues in the coming years, including burn care and mother/children transmission of the AIDS virus.

The American Imani Project was formed in January 2005 and incorporated as an NGO in January 2008. It received the 501c3 status in March 2007. The federal identification number is 26-1682325.The Maternal and Child Health Program was registered with the Kenyan Department of Social and Health Services and became an official subcommittee of the Imani Project in 2008.