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Keeping the assistance flowing
 “HIV can be managed with the rollout of anti-retroviral therapy, plus good nutrition, exercise, sufficient sleep and stress reduction,” remarks international UNV volunteer Janice Lachhman, “but really the idea is prevention. Let it be that one day, developing countries don’t have such high prevalence rates.” (UNV) As well as working with partners on policy matters, international UNV volunteer Janice Lachhman (left, here seen with a support group during a gardening activity) also keeps an eye on projects in the field. For example, she coordinates the finances and teaching materials for a WFP project disseminating HIV/AIDS information in schools in five districts. In each school, volunteers such as the head teacher, school cook and a senior student will be participants in the workshops. Ms. Lachhman manages the content of the workshops too. “I have to check that the message is delivered appropriately,” she notes. (UNV)Maseru, Lesotho: International UNV volunteer Janice Lachhman is assigned to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Lesotho as an HIV/AIDS Officer, ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups get access to the nutrition and services they need. In Lesotho, explains Ms. Lachhman, WFP is the main organization giving food assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS. Even in a small country like Lesotho this is a massive task, since WFP not only helps the 8,000 patients themselves but also about 32,000 other people who share their households. Moreover, drought and other environmental problems in recent years have threatened food security for everyone. “There’s 180,000 people who may not meet their food requirement this year,” she says. “The UNDAF [United Nations Development Assistance Framework] has to have clarity on who will deliver the assistance... so I help make sure the policies are in place.” Ms. Lachhman’s main tasks involve liaising with partner organizations in the UN, the National AIDS Commission and NGOs to ensure that the nutritional needs of people living with HIV/AIDS are properly catered for. Part of this means analyzing Government and UN policy documents to ensure that the interests of People living with HIV/AIDS are raised at national forums and to advocate for corrective action to be taken. “Civil society and networks for people living with HIV/AIDS are important structures that can assist the whole process,” she says. Working at the national level, she infrequently sees actual food distribution taking place. However, whenever she does have the chance, it is always a special moment. “As I look at families with their parcels and wheelbarrows collecting their ration,” she says, “I know that WFP assistance is most likely their only source of nutritious food.” But just giving out food is only part of the picture. WFP also monitors how people are doing via ‘Community Household Surveys’ and carries out ‘food plus’ activities such as health and nutrition talks at food distribution points. In 2008, for example, WFP provided 20,000 sachets of vegetable seeds to help people grow their own food. A US national born in Guyana, Ms. Lachhman learned while studying public health at the University of Miami how HIV/AIDS can impact an individual, a family and a whole community. She also spent time with the US Peace Corps before going on to her UNV volunteer assignment. “I am attracted to development work because of my immigrant experience,” she says. “Rich countries do need to give back.” |