Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects 2010/2011: Commissioning of Japan’s Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project for the Expansion of Narok Pillar of Hope VCT Center

Commissioning of Japan’s Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project for the Expansion of Narok Pillar of Hope VCT Center

Date

18th April 2011

Location

Narok, Narok South district, Rift Valley province

Project title

The Project for the Expansion of Narok Pillar of Hope VCT Center

Amount

US$ 82,926

Attendance

• Mr. Yoichiro Yamada, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Kenya
• District Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi
• District officer Ministry Public Health and Sanitation
• Representative from the community and youth group

Totaling about 40 participants

Main activity

Yoichiro Yamada had commissioned Japan’s Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project for the Expansion of Naork Pillar of Hope VCT center at Narok Town, Rift Valley Province. In March 2010, Narok based community based organization, Narok Pillar of Hope  received the grant amounting to 6.6 Million Kshs to construct new Voluntary Testing and Counseling center and to purchase a vehicle for mobile VCT and clinic services.

Pillar of Hope has been serving the community in and around Narok town as stand alone VCT center through providing quality HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. The newly completed VCT center can increase the numbers of people served for VCT services in Narok, a purchased vehicle expands frequency and distance of mobile VCT services to hotels and lodges in Masai Mara, remote Masai communities where access to basic health services are a long distance away.

In prior to the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Yamada inspected the new VCT center and was explained by the PoH VCT counselor about different types of HIV/AIDS tests and the importance of bringing cultural sensitivity when conducting HIV/AIDS testing at Masai villages.

At the ceremony, Mr. Yamada said that despite of challenges for encouraging youth to test on their HIV statuses or to give hope to people diagnosed as HIV-positive, he believe the staff at Pillar of Hope are committed experts with warm hearts, now with better facility and a vehicle, they will continue their good works to combat the formidable disease for the communities in and around of Narok.