Meet the Executive Director
Dr. Naa Ashiley Vanderpuye - Donton
WAAF FEATURES
New Equipment for WAAF Bring's Hope
WAAF is very fortunate to have now finally acquired a chemistry analyzer for it's on-site laboratory thanks to the kind-hearted generosity of a previous volunteer and friend, Tracy Morgan from the United Kingdom. Such a machine is exceedingly expensive and is a vital piece of a equipment which is essential in monitoring a person on ARV medication. In addition, Tracy has also donated funds to buy a PA System for WAAF in order to strengthen our in school programmes and outreach work. We cannot thank Tracy enough and her kind spirits will benefit hundreds of vulnerable patients. Click 'Read More' to find out more in our special volunteer spotlight report. Tracy's Story - WAAF Volunteer Spotlight
Adherence Project - Why do some patients choose not to recieve treatment?
The Adherence Project is a program that aims to increase awareness about the importance of taking ARV medication, in doing so we hope to increase the numbers who take ARV medication. ARV medication is vital to combatting HIV in a number of different ways; it can prevent the transmission of HIV from the mother to the child thereby reducing those infected, it reduces the amount of damage that the immune system takes from ARV, and it can improve the immune system functioning that can delay the progression of AIDS. Click 'Read more' to download the rest of the report by intern Lantz White, University of Bristol here - Adherence Project Report
Community Experience - Adam Fejes WAAF Intern
One of our interns, Adam Fejes from New York University has written a short piece on his community experience here in Ghana. "WAAF’s core values perfectly match with those of Community Psychology. Empowerment, promoting psychological sense of community, respect for cultural diversity, prevention, social justice through advocacy, citizen participation through decision making, ecological focus, empirical grounding, collaboration and community strengths are all taken into action. WAAF is one of the few perfectly stigma-free NGOs where everyone is treated equally." Click read more to download the rest of the report. community.experience
WAAF's October Special Newsletter
One of WAAF’s major aims is to help improve the quality of life of people living with HIV in Ghana. Our Almond Tree Project hopes to give HIV/AIDS-infected people greater self sufficiency by teaching them to create sellable goods. The Methodist Women’s Fellowship’s donations have significantly supported this project throughout its development. Almond Tree members and their families have benefitted personally from the Fellowship’s gifts of food items, toiletries, and clothing. Read more in our special newsletter here WAAF Special Newsletter
WAAF Newsletter September 2013
Our latest newsletter edition details what we have been up to over the last couple of months, including the awaited opening of the almond tree shop and what we have planned for the upcoming months! Click read more to download the publication and have a read! Click September Newsletter to download.
What factors influence disclosure of HIV Status?
Preliminary research recently carried out by IHCC/WAAF intern Kate Lemasters (USA) has attempted to discover the main reasons influencing disclosure of HIV status amongst positive clients attending WAAF and IHCC. It's aim is to understand the benefits and risks of one's decision to disclose or not, in order for WAAF/IHCC to better counsel clients on disclosure and fully understand client's disclosure choices. You can read the first stage of the research report here. Report on Disclosure Research
Community based TB Activities in Keta / Savelugu Nanton and Ga East Districts of Ghana.
With the support from National TB Control Program and Stop TB Partnership – Ghana, WAAF is embarking on community based TB Activities in selected districts. TB, being an airborne disease is spread very easily but more so in densely populated areas with unhygienic conditions. Also vulnerable persons like those that are living with HIV, people with diabetes, incarcerated persons and the aged, have a higher risk of contracting the disease. Find out what WAAF has been doing by clicking 'read more' to download the project report. WAAF TB Project
Implications of the Emergence of the Oil & Gas Industry on HIV
The proposed WAAF led project on the implications of the emergence of the oil and gas industry on HIV in the Western Region, seeks to respond to the potential increase in health implications, mainly HIV, which may come by as a result of the emergence of oil and gas industry in the western region. WAAF held a workshop on 21st May 2013 with the aim to inform the Western Region Health Authorities as well as other major stakeholders in the field of HIV about the goals and focus of the project and invite feedback and dialogue. The workshop forms part of the WAAF's commitment to complementing the Ghanaian Government and Civil society in the fight against HIV & AIDS and was funded by STAR - Ghana. Click read more to download the project summary report. Oil and Gas Project Launch report FINAL
STAR-Ghana Update
STAR-Ghana funded projects are well underway. STAR-Ghana is a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism (DFID, DANIDA, USAID, EU) to increase the influence of civil society and Parliament in the governance of public goods and service delivery, with the ultimate goal of improving accountability and responsiveness of Ghana’s Government, traditional authorities and the private sector. In February 2013, WAAF embarked on the following projects funded by STAR-Ghana; Health and Oil & Gas. Click 'read more' to download the report.WAAF UPDATE ON STAR
Red & Black Cala-Bash Unity Party - WAAF Fundraiser
MOFEG TRAVEL & TOURS are supporting WAAF by hosting the official end of semester party & fundraiser on Friday 17th May!! Help MOFEG raise funds so that WAAF can continue its mission in mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS in vulnerable communities. Proceeds raised will help WAAF (1) buy a chemical analyzer (2) continue to subsidize the cost of ARV medication for HIV patients! Celebrate the end of finals, and support a great cause! The event starts at 8.30pm. Cover: 10 GHC Location: Hush Lounge (inside the coffee shop opposite Chase Restaurant in Labone) Dress Code: Red and/or Black For info, contact Tg: 0244946058
Trivia Night Success at The Lexington
A huge thank-you to everyone who attended our fundraising trivia night at the Lexington Bar hosted by our wonderful WAAF staff and interns. The event was a great success and the following was fund-raised: 305 GHC worth of Almond Tree Goods. 365 GHC worth of raffle tickets. Stellar Catering (who owns Lexington) agreed to match the amount we made in raffle tickets, so WAAF will receive another 365 GHC! Many thanks to the Lexington staff and Stellar Catering! If you couldn't make it and still want to contribute, you can do so via http://waafweb.org/donate/
WAAF Intern Completes KAYAYEI REPORT
Sander Sebti, an intern at WAAF from Holland has completed his research report after being in Ghana for six months. The report looks into the lives of the Kayayei - young girls from the rural north of Ghana who migrate to the cities in the urban south to work on the markets. They face great hardships in the big cities and since they are living on the streets, they are vulnerable to abuse, rape and various diseases including HIV/AIDS. Sander spent six weeks at WAAF's branch office in Savelugu, Northern Region to carry out his field work. WAAF are very pleased with his research findings and this will help further their outreach work. You can read the report here. Kayayei report WAAF
Help Repair Our Ambulance
Flood waters have severely impacted WAAF’s only vehicle and ambulance and the foundation are now experiencing the effects of the damage. A new engine is required immediately as well as other major parts, in order to avoid breakdown which would be devastating to the foundation. WAAF rely on this vehicle heavily. Not only does it act as an ambulance (Ghana lacks an adequate ambulance system), it also is responsible for transporting staff to important training and community meetings as well as important outreach work such as in-school education and home visits of immobile patients. WAAF appreciate your help and donations in getting adequate repairs done to the ambulance in order to continue safeguarding the health of the most vulnerable patients. Make a donation today - www.waafweb.org/donate
It pays to wait!
With all the experience gathered over the years, a very important message WAAF has, especially towards the YOUTH, is that it PAYS TO WAIT. For all other Ghanaians, we must be tested and tested again and ensure that once tested negative, we stay negative. WAAF, on the other hand, has ZERO tolerance towards Stigma and Discrimination towards a person testing positive to HIV.
Medical Outreach
With an onsite clinic, WAAF is totally into medical care. However, as a public health focused organization, we not only manage onsite, we also go out and reach out to the public. We go everywhere: churches, schools, companies – small and medium enterprises, communities, wherever we can talk about health issues we go and in an ambitious effort, engage Ghanaians in preventative medicine.
MEET THE TEAM!
Meet the WAAF medical Team who ensure that medical outreach, treatment follow ups and other medical related services are provided for in an excellent manner. The team is made up of professionals from various backgrounds ensuring efficient skills.
In school Reproductive Health Education
One of WAAF’s major strength is in reaching out to the youth and educating them on sexual and reproductive health. From the formation of clubs in many schools under the Passion Squad program to frequent visits to other schools, WAAF has till today maintained a good relationship with many schools across the country. Children are delighted to be engaged in innovative ways when it comes to these educations and therefore actively participate in the interschools drama competition, drawing competition, poem writing competition etc. By educating our youth on matters that are so important to their health, they become well informed and are able to make informed choices.
Community Development and Empowerment
Dealing especially with chronic medical conditions, WAAF is faced with the devastating effects these can have on human development. As such, we continue to look for sustainable ways to deal with such terrible effects. Example of our successes has come from the Income Generating Group + the Almond Tree. Various skills trainings that have been offered to many marginalized individuals, many HIV infected. WAAF is focusing also on Livestock/Crop Farming/Aqua Farming where those infected with HIV eventually own the projects.
HIV Counseling and Testing
For many years HIV testing and counseling has been one of WAAF’s strong assets. As one of the organizations that first started community VCT, much experience has been gained in this area and we are only glad that today there are many who have followed and are making this so important activity accessible to Ghanaians. Knowing one’s HIV status is a MUST today and so WAAF will continue to assist all other efforts in making this accessible to everyone who needs it.
Support for orphans
With the onsite Station Days program, WAAF is able to reach out to Orphans and Vulnerable children in many ways. From passing through various stations: clinic, counseling, education, recreational and a token station, the children are both monitored and engaged in various activities.
Nutrition for Mother & Baby
At WAAF, we are very particular about approaching issues in a holistic manner! Nutrition forms a very crucial component of the services we provide. Especially to expecting mothers and infants, nutrition is a must and we do all we can to ensure that apart from their medications, they have access to good food. A healthy mother definitely equals a healthy baby and that is WAAF’s principle.
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