TCE in a nutshell:

Our aim is to organize all the people in Neighbourhood Committees, where they can help and support each other in taking control of the epidemic and in dealing with its consequences.

About the TCE project in Namibia

Humana People to People’s TCE program was launched in Namibia in September 2005. The program is run by DAPP in Namibia and now only 1 year after its start reaches out to

900.000 people, half the population of Namibia.              

The program is funded by “The Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB” through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 6 Areas are funded by the Global Fund and 3 Areas by CDC. 450 Field Officers are reaching out to the 900.000 people, and this means that every single village and town in the Northern part of Namibia are reached with the same information to make the people take control and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. By August 2006 the Field Officers have talked to, registered and had their first meeting with more than 700.000 people. People are already responding to the intensive approach of the TCE program and many have been tested and you see signs of change. First all the 450 Field Officers and staff themselves went for testing to know their own status. They took the step to plan and take control of HIV in their own lives. They all declared themselves TCE Compliant, because the leadership in TCE took them through the process individually. Today, those who are tested positive have told someone in management their status, and those in need of ARV are now on ARV. There is now much openness about HIV/AIDS among the Field Officers and the leadership of TCE.

In one village, 68 people decided to go for testing as a group after being mobilized by the Field Officer. They did not have the transport, but then each person found 10 Namibia $ (US$ 1.6) and convinced the local councilor to drive them with his car to the nearest clinic for testing. The following week as they went back for their results the group now had grown to be 120 people who were willing to know their own status.

The Program Director responsible for the implementation of the Global Fund Program says about the TCE program: “To date, the DAPP Management team has been very effective and efficient in the implementation of the project. Reports are always submitted on time. In terms of keeping the agreed timeline for activities, DAPP has shown excellent management skills.”

“The use of Field Officers has increased and strengthened networking and collaboration between Ministries, NGO’s, CBO’s and FBO’s and therefore the Field Officers are seen as a Valuable link bridging the gap between the people in need and health institutions and other organizations providing HIV/AIDS services.”