Together against HIV: An HIV awareness activity for the Fomunyoh Foundation

Bamenda - Cameroon

The Fomunyoh Foundation has decided to begin an HIV / AIDS awareness raising activity at the Foundation beginning April 15, 2009. Under the appelation of "Improving HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Access to Healthcare" (IHAKAH), this component of the Foundation's work will consist of monthly all day sessions at the Foundation Head Office at Mile 6, Bamenda.

Dear TFF Team,

I am pleased to inform you that we have decided to begin an HIV / AIDS awareness raising activity at the Foundation beginning April 15, 2009. Under the appelation of "Improving HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Access to Healthcare" (IHAKAH), this component of the Foundation's work will consist of monthly all day sessions at the Foundation Head Office at Mile 6, Bamenda, for between 40-60 people, whether infected or affected, caregivers for people with HIV, social workers, healthcare workers, etc. In other words, ALL groups of persons will be invited to participate with no questions asked, except registration at the Foundation on time and on a first come, first served basis. The sessions will be led by medical and other experts with established qualifications and experience in the subject matter.

This component of the Foundation's work will be managed by Mrs. Therese F. Acha, a registered healthcare practitioner with many years of relevant experience. Therese also holds a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Masters of philosophy (M.PH.) from South Africa. Therese's post - graduate thesis was on "HIV Pregnant women in Bamenda" and the co-supervisor of her thesis is currently the Regional Delegate of Health for North West Cameroon. She is therefore very familiar with the fight to curb the spread of HIV/ADIS in Cameroon and other parts of Africa. Mrs. Therese has generously volunteered to travel from Douala (where she is based) to Bamenda at least once every month to coordinate this initiative. She will benefit from long distance guidance from Dr. Henry Fomundam, Regional Director (Africa) for the HIV/AIDS Pharmaceutical Care Program - ROADS Project, based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Therese will coordinate with other TFF staff and journalists of the Foundation Radio on ways to inform the public about the monthly meetings, set up appointments for experts and resource persons, and record the proceedings by way of photos, video and audio tapes, as appropriate. Materials produced during the program will be stored at a Resource Center for public education purposes. The IHAKAH initiative will also gather information in the form of books, posters, CDs, etc, from organizations such as UNAIDS, WHO and USAID / PEPFAR in order to enrich the knowledge base of program participants. The Resource center will eventually be folded into the Foundation's Public Library once it becomes operational this summer.

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Therese Acha to the fold, and in thanking TFF staff for stepping up to another major undertaking.

Dr. Chris Fomunyoh
President
TFFCAM

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