Typical day for an HIV/AIDS Volunteer:

1. 7:40am - shower and breakfast
2. 8am - 4pm - Report to the VCT center / Organization office. Take patients history, check vital signs, communicate current information to the patients, listen to their problems and take notes. Go on home visitation or make calls to check on those who were not able come in for their appointments. Go to a school to educate students on HIV/AIDS.
3. 12pm - 2pm - lunch time (1 hour)
4. 4pm - Close for the day, have time to discover your town, visit local friends and chat with other volunteers, go home for your shower.
5. 5pm - Dinner
6. 7pm - After-shower, chatting with family whilst watching tv about everything or chatting with local friends or other volunteers you meet over some drinks in a nearby pub
7. 9pm - Retire to bed

It is estimated that more than two million people die as a result of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa each year and it is reported that about 92% of all AIDS deaths worldwide in 2007 were in Africa. Almost 90% of all children orphaned by AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa. Around 1.2 million people including children are living with HIV in Uganda. Kenya’s population is hugely affected by the struggles of HIV/AIDS with over 1.5 million people in the country living with the disease. Ghana and Liberia are also not left out although these countries have comparatively lower cases. In spite of efforts aimed at preventing the spread of this devastating disease, the rate of HIV infection is still rising in many African countries. Added to the poverty and malnutrition already rampant in much of Africa, AIDS is crippling the lives and economies of many nations on the continent. The daily life of every citizen of these nations therefore has the potential to be affected. The need for action is now.

No specific qualifications or skills are required of volunteers wishing to participate in the HIV/AIDS volunteer projects. However, applicants should have a focused interest and passion for public community outreach and other healthcare-related activities. You also have to be loving, caring, motivated and willing to share time and compassion with the people with great patience.

By joining our carefully planned projects, you help give people a chance to move forward with hope. Education is one of the key barriers to the devastating AIDS issue that much of Africa faces. In several communities in Africa, many myths about HIV/AIDS still prevail. People infected with HIV/AIDS are often rejected from their own communities and families. As a result, many people who are infected do not admit to having the virus. Our campaigns therefore focus on education, counseling and testing local communities as well as providing vital home-based care support to networks. We offer you the opportunity to become involved at the grass roots by assisting caregivers to offer counselling, education, care and support to people affected with HIV/Aids. You can also be tasked to offer counselling and emotional support to the patients and the affected family members at one of the many Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres we work with. You may also be involved in visiting schools and community centres, educating adults and children to increase awareness and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. You may engage the community in training activities created to increase awareness.