EFICOR organized distribution of food materials for 30 HIV/AIDS infected and affected families from Kamtee in Nagpur on Thursday, 10th of July 2008, at Mure Memorial hospital.

Mr.Ajay Ramteke, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Nagpur Municipal Commission, who distributed the food materials, informed the people about the available Governments’ schemes such as Loan facility, SHG’s for the HIV+ members and a plan to start a school exclusively for the HIV infected children. Mr.Satish Meshramker, General Director, Prakash Institute of India, Mr.Vilas Shende, Director Mure Memorial Hospital, Nagpur were present during the distribution and encouraged the people. Mr.K.Y.Harshan Project Coordinator, EFICOR, Nagpur assured the HIV infected and affected families that EFICOR would continually support the families if both bread winners are not able to work or earn their livelihood.


A Case Study

“I want to encourage HIV Positive people….

Mrs. Kantha Bai Baladhare of Beedgau, Kamtee Tahsil, Nagpur lost her husband Rajendra Baladhare recently to AIDS.

Her husband did not reveal that he was HIV +ve when he married her. After her marriage she not only got infected with HIV but also had to look after her ailing husband. As her husband’s earnings was insufficient to meet the household expenses and the cost of medicines, Kantha Bhai started to work as a labourer on daily wages in the agriculture fields.

EFICOR came in touch with this family last December 2007, which had reached the point of committing suicide due to utter poverty and Baladhre’s deteriorating health.

EFICOR had the opportunity to provide family counselling, timely food provision and health mixes to meet the couple’s desperate need. Kanthabhai was given special care with her health periodically monitored, the blood test (CD4 count went up to 574) showed marked improvement and her weight increased by 5 kgs. The family was advised to maintain their health properly while physical and emotional support was provided by EFICOR.

Kanthabhai out of amazement asked “Why is EFICOR giving such attention and caring for us while everybody else is discriminating and stigmatising us including our own family members?” This was an opportunity for EFICOR to share the love of God to this family. She in turn became a channel to bring other HIV Positive people for counselling, physical and emotional support.

When Beedgauv villagers who discriminated this family seeing that EFICOR extended help for funeral expenses for Kantha Bhai’s husband, their eyes opened! Their attitude changed and they even collected Rs.1000/- for funeral expenses and provided a place for burial .

With gratitude, Kanthabai says “I want to counsel and share my experiences to people who are infected with HIV & AIDS to encourage them just as I have received encouragement from EFICOR”.

[back]