WHAT WE DO
Focus on people who inject drugs
SASO provides home and community based care and support to people who inject drugs and their families, men who have sex with men, and others affected by HIV.
SASO focuses on addressing the economic, social and human impact of HIV/AIDS in relation to drug use, through advocacy and increasing awareness on social, gender and human rights issues.
Activities include needle/syringe exchange programmes, oral substitution therapy, condom promotion, STI management, support groups and communication campaigns. Some of these interventions are specifically tailored to the needs of women who inject drugs.
To increase the accessibility and affordability of services, SASO has established community-based drop-in-centres linked to health clinics, and a night shelter for vulnerable and homeless people who use drugs.
Orphans and vulnerable children
As part of the CHAHA programme, which concluded in January 2011, SASO supported 4,242 children, 897 of whom were living with HIV. SASO’s is now focusing on advocacy to key stakeholders. It is part of a pilot project to establish links with the government department for the support of children. It also runs a community care centre for orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV.
Changing attitudes
SASO’s approach of community participation and local leadership has led to increased community involvement and greater acceptance of people who inject drugs and people living with HIV. The organisation won the UNAIDS Civil Society Award in 2006.