Overview

Since 2001, CHEC has well-developed programs in the 3 districts of Sa Ang (Kandal Province), Kampong Tralach (Kampong Chhnang Province) and Preah Sdach (Prey Veng Province). These villages / communities, Village Health Centers and Health Services have already been involved in: 1.Basic HIV/AIDS education – transmission, prevention, discrimination and support 2.Training on providing HIV/AIDS education in the community 3.Development of Community Action Groups, meeting monthly for planning and mutual support, with quarterly monitoring, feedback and data meetings. 4.Basic and advanced HIV/AIDS Counseling training to selected volunteers and health centre staff. 5.Updates on TB and Antiretrovirals (ARV) 6 Developing PLWHA self-help groups. 6.Training on Monitoring and Evaluation In 2005, CHEC is expanding its programs into new high-need areas. These are Chouk (Kampot Province) and Srey Santhor (Kampong Cham Province). After the training modules are completed, Community Action Groups (CAG), are formed to provide support to PLWHAs in their own communities, as well as educate villagers about HIV/AIDS prevention and non discrimination. Home Based Care (HBC) has recently been commenced in the 3 established ODs, within the structures of the CAGs. CAGs meet monthly, with CHEC attending quarterly to help facilitate monitoring and planning activities. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis is used with each CAG, as well as individual progress reports. As the project concentrating its efforts at the OD levels, several evaluation strategies have been employed with non literates. Action plans developed quarterly by each CAG member with the assistance from the trainers have been achieved prior to the next monitoring visits. The CHEC programs contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS in Cambodia through long term promotion and community mobilization. The key approach is to assist the community to unite their efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWHA and in the provision of counseling, care and support. Besides the training program, CHEC has been implementing Information, Education, Communication (IEC), advocacy and community mobilization which constitute essential elements for furthering the prevention program’s implementation and expansion. Appropriate communication of information to the community and patient education can improve health seeking behaviour, treatment adherence and treatment outcomes. The HIV/AIDS media programs include: 1.the production of 15 minutes TV spots broadcasting through channel TVK 2.30 minutes video drama, also broadcast over TVK 3.a monthly Youth TV Forum discussion through TV9 channel 4.a monthly one hour radio call-in show through FM 102 MG These approaches have demonstrated a high level of message recall by the public and are strongly supported by the target audiences.

Background

Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC) evolved from the Quaker Service Australia, and registered as a local NGO by the Ministry of Interior in March 2001. CHEC works in 5 Operational Districts (ODs) in 5 different provinces. The CHEC program works with the communities to train village leaders, community health centre staff, and village health volunteers, in partnership with district health departments. Training is provided on community education approaches and counseling skills. The provision of capacity enhancement to the community health care workers, community personnel to prevent HIV/AIDS, has been responded to the strategy to address the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS. CHEC strategies are met through the provision of training, media-social marketing, and expansion of our participatory action with affected communities. All of these strategies are coordinated to prevent HIV and STI transmission, reduce stigma & discrimination and facilitate PLWHA support.

Value

• Service: We believe that delivery of high quality programs and activities which are relevant to the needs of vulnerable people will make an important contribution to Cambodia’s development.
• Accountability: We believe we should be answerable to the community, donors and government for the results of our programs.
• Acceptance: We believe that vulnerable people should be able to live in their communities, free from stigma and discrimination, and be able to include themselves in available and accessible community based programs and services.
• Equality: We believe that women and men should have the same opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, development.
• Collaboration: We believe that working together with development partners, including community members, civil society, private sector organisations and government, will achieve the best results.

Mission

CHEC collaborates with development partners, including community members, civil society organizations, private sector organizations and government, to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people, particularly people living with HIV and AIDS.

Vision

Cambodian communities are involved in the response to TB, HIV/AIDS and STI and provide good quality of life to PLHA

Goal

Within the next 3 years the quality of life of vulnerable groups will be improved through improvements in health, education, income, access to basic human needs and increased support from the community and local authorities in 7 operational districts of C