FUNDRAISING FOR INTEGRATED SERVICES
The lessons learnt from NELA’s visit to KANCO on integration and multisectoral approaches has informed NELA’s strategic framework. However to be able to make significant changes, funding is needed so NELA has started fundraising to integrate sexual and reproductive health and TB into its existing HIV/AIDS activities. “If we get funding we will be one step closer to implementing some of the things we learnt during our visit” said Yetunde Alebiosu-Makanjuola of NELA.
TWO-WAY BENEFITS
A learning exchange is not just one way; the hosts also benefit. Liudmyla Shulga of Alliance Ukraine reflected on the visit from SASO, saying: “This visit was useful in terms of discussion of programme activities in both countries that revealed some diversity in the way the HIV prevention is implemented. A lot has to do with the legislation system. At the same time, we were able to find some good examples of providing basic medical help to the clients in community centres. Following this exchange visit and a report produced by the APMG, the Alliance Ukraine revised the concept of community centre work.”
Following the exchanges, two of the Exchange participants have stayed in touch. Via Libre shared research they have done on various topics such as HIV vaccines with IDH, and Alliance India sent Alliance Ukraine research on sexual behaviours of female injecting drugs users contributing to HIV transmission. Alliance India and SASO have also been able to share their learning from the exchange regionally at a UNDP supported workshop on gender sensitive programme for female injecting drug users in India, Bangladesh and Cambodia.
This year, a further ten exchanges are taking place. The Secretariat plans to improve support post-exchange, so that partners can continue to learn from each other after they have returned home. This will help maximise the benefits of the exchanges which have already influenced changes in practice, policy, management and programmes among those who have taken part.