My Village Organisation

“We have regularly been invited by village headmen, to talk with their women, men and youth about family planning, (female) condoms and HIV/Aids. The community is looking for ways to solve the problems concerning HIV/Aids.” (Maaike Batist, Program Director “My Village Organisation”, 2008)

Mission l program “my village organisation”

Women were anxious to learn more, notes were made and so many questions answered.

My Village Organisation (MVO) is an independent non-political, non-profit making and non-governmental organization that was formed in 2007. It was established to fight against HIV/Aids together with the community.

Mission

My Village Organisation exists to improve knowledge about HIV/Aids, sexual reproductive health, rights of women, men and children in Nkhamanga Area (Rumphi-district, Malawi) through community mobilization and participation.

Overall Goal

of My Village Organisation is to reduce the number of new HIV infections among women, men, girls and boys AND to reduce the impact of HIV/Aids on individuals, families and communities in Rumphi-District, Malawi.

Objectives

-To increase knowledge about HIV/Aids, family- planning and STI’s in community.
-To reduce HIV/Aids stigma and discrimination.
-To empower women and girls, stimulate them to teach others.
-To make (female) condoms discrete available and stimulate consistent use.
-To sensitize and empower Malawian community to use facilities that stimulate and support initiatives that stop the spread of HIV/Aids.

Program

- Regular village-visits and mass campaigns

- Village (female) condom distribution

- Training programs and follow up

- HIV-testing programs

- IGA’s and Marginalised groups empowerment

My Village Organisation regularly visits each village, to discuss, train, make drama and songs en strengthen active (MVO)-groups in the community. MVO makes the active groups known as service providers and assist them with discrete condom distribution in their village in cooperation with UNFPA. Organizing testing days in the villages when it is requested in cooperation with local hospital and identifying the needs of community, developing new programs/training and advocate to government and (inter)national organizations.

The FAMILY.matters games and Bobo-movie of WEB.foundation are used to explain and stimulate discussion. A movie is made to give an impression of the activities and work done by MVO in 2008.