Today we present the remaining two nominees for the ICMDA Dignity & Right to Health Awards 2008.
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Dr Peter Okaalet, Kenya
Impact at local and wider level
Peter acknowledges that his role in his immediate family is irreplaceable, where he sees he has a key role as a mentor and a model. He sees his relationship between he and his wife is his basis for leadership in the church. Peter joined MAP in 1996. He addresses issues of HIV, AIDS and poverty. His mission is to provide total health through the work of MAP international in east Africa, west Africa, Asia and Central America.
He teaches at the Haggai Institute in Nairobi, Singapore and Hawaii.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
As well as the above Peter is involved with MAP in active training of community health workers, training of pastors, and in the development of HIV curricula for theological colleges. In Kenya nd in six other countries. MAP trains community health workers who are at the interface between community and hospital – some of these workers are employed and others are volunteers. Map Partners with the Kenyan government in responses to HIV. Peter sees that Christians often fill the gaps that are not currently addressed by government.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
By participating in meetings with groups such as Micah network, Peter is able to disseminate within the MAP network, and more widely information on best practice models. Peter shared that churches are facilitated when they know where gapes in services are present, we know what we do and we know what others do.
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Peter has always worked closely with PLWHA, with TASO in Uganda before his work with MAP in Kenya. Peter commented that “the wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches most” Peter sees not only do PLWHA have an important role in storytelling, and also they have an important role directing and reflecting on strategy. MAP has a policy that strongly supports employment of PLWHA.
Facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Map is intentional in including boys, girls, men and women in all that they do. In a patriarchal culture, Peter shares that men do take time to understand the role of women. Theologically we know it is not good for man to be alone. MAP has a gender aware employment policy. Peter acknowledges that sixty per cent of those who are HIV infected in Africa are women.
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
MAP is the chief facilitator for FBOs within government negotiations on HIV and AIDS. MAP has fulfilled this role for many years. MAP is represented on many agency boards that deal with HIV. The Kenyan Muslim community has adapted the MAP model.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
MAP International staff belong to many churches. MAP International materials have been translated form English into Swahili, French, Portugese, Hausa and Amharic.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Peter referred this answer to the MAP mission statement. MAP’s guiding principles, vision and mission are steeped in scripture. MAP’s motto is “Health and Hope for a Hurting World”.
See http://www.map.org/site/PageServer?pagename=who_Main
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Dr Gisela Schneider, Germany
Impact at local and wider level
Programmes developed during the nineties in Gambia had a measurable impact in reducing stigma, increasing Christian engagement in a predominantly Muslim country, improved quality and length of life before the absence of ARVs, and emerging signs of an impact in HIV prevention. Programme was well integrated into the Gambian Government’s HIV services.
Empowers others in integrated community responses
Gisela’s work has been focused on developing community based responses that are integrated with government, church, hospital, training institutions, etc. Has an emphasis on building capacity by getting all stakeholders (e.g. churches, hospitals, families) to work to their strengths in addressing HIV.
Facilitates church integration and participation in best practice models of care
Strong emphasis on church involvement and empowerment - helping churches to identify the contribution that they can make to a coordinated response to HIV & AIDS, encouraging integrations of both churches and FBOs with Government health programmes
Demonstrates excellence in full community involvement and empowerment of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)
Strong emphasis on developing local ownership and leadership, and it is very often PWLHA and their families that have been at the forefront of this.
Works, facilitates and advocates for gender equality in community participation and response to the epidemic
Gisela works very closely with women on the ground, and has being doing work in DRC in particular on helping churches to self identify gender roles and issues in general relation to health and to HIV in particular
Links well with government and other actors in a comprehensive approach to the epidemic
This programme encourages integration of church and FBO services with wider government and civil society health systems and social engagement.
Models creative and compassionate responses that inspire many to similarly enhance the dignity and human rights of people infected and affected by the epidemic.
The initial programme that ran for over a decade in Gambia was handed over to in other local leadership in 2004, and immediately there was interest in training people in the lessons learnt from Uganda. This led to another two year project that is now locally led, and the new, wider ministry of extending this training to other nations and contexts.
Does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God
Strong theological root to this work – it’s main emphasis is on living out the gospel in who you are, then in what you do, and finally in what you say. It is based on a theology of salt and light, engaging even with corrupt systems to model God’s Kingdom in practice. This is what Gisela has imparted to her staff, her partners on the ground, church leaders and FBOs. It is about doing what you do the best you can to serve God where and when you are faithfully.
We shall be announcing the winner in time for World AIDS Day, but all five nominees are people who have made a significant impact in their nation and the wider world in establishing and developing effective responses to HIV & AIDS from within their faith communities.
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