HOPE walk Nigeria
On December 2005, the great HOPE walk of HOPE worldwide Nigeria was held for Orphans. This years' event was held in partnership with Lagos State Action Committee on AIDS (LSACA) and had a goal to support 2000 Orphans (children) with education and other needs.

This year 1200 volunteers partake in the walk, the walked from, Maryland which was the starting point, Maryland all through Ikorodu rd to the National Stadium Surulere.

The Great HOPE walk witnessed the presence of some prominent dignitaries: the First Lady of Lagos state. Chief ((Mrs.) Oluremi Tunubu, The Special adviser to the Lagos state governor on HIV/AIDS & CEO LSACA Dr. Aderemi Desalu, the commissioner for Health Dr. Leke Pitan, commissioner for Home affairs, Committee of wives of local government chairmen Lagos state. (COWSOL), Mrs. Nonny Nduka-Eze of MTN Foundation and Alhaji Sunlati. Director Federal Ministry of Women affairs.

Some of the corporate sponsors included: Coca Cola Africa Foundation which they provided T-Shirts, drinks, cash donations and sponsorship of secondary education for 50 Orphans (children). MTN Foundation provided T-shirts and sponsorship for 300 Orphans through secondary level, Virgin Atlantic provided two return tickets to London and De-United Nigeria Limited provided T-Shirts, Product and free meals for participants. Also Friesland (WAMCO) provided Products, KTFB Sponsored billboards, Kicker produced the billboard materials and Nikky Taurus provided Buses.  Silverbird Television, NTA Channel 5, AIT communications and The Guardian did publicity.

The procession was fun filled with music and dancing and placards were carried and displayed by kids and adults reading "HELP THE ORPHANS". Media persons from Silverbirds Television, NTA Channel 5, The Guardian and many other groups were present to cover the event. The State government was fully in support and provided security agents. The Nigerian Police, Nigeria Road Safety Corp and Lagos State Transport Monitoring Agency (LASMA) were all also at hand in their numbers to provide security. Many gifts were won through the raffle draw.

The First Lady of Lagos state Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Oluremi Desalu CEO LSACA Commissiioners and the Executive Director HOPE worldwide Nigeria Mr. Yemi Osilaja spoke at the event.

This event definitely brought smiles to the faces of orphans, and many donations were made to assist them with their education.

Community Support and Prevention Model
Much like other community health outreach programs designed to combat HIV infection and AIDS, this model trains counselors and clients, provides psychosocial support and social services, and provides health education intended to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. And, unlike other outreach programs, the model created by HOPE worldwide integrates training, support, and prevention in a way that has proven to be extraordinarily effective.

The Integrated AIDS Intervention Model is community-based in that it mobilizes local professionals, volunteers, and people with AIDS (PWA's) to work collaboratively on behalf of individuals, families, and neighborhoods in areas where there is a high incidence of the disease.  The result of this highly integrated effort is:

• Prevention of HIV transmission to the extent possible.
• Prolonged and meaningful life for people with AIDS (PWA's).
• Future planning for children who will become orphaned by AIDS.
• Income generation.
• Increased self-esteem and self-actualization for people living in high incidence AIDS communities.

Three key elements in the Integrated AIDS Intervention Model:

• Training
• Support
• Prevention

Training
Under the supervision of HOPE worldwide's medical director, each IAIM counselor has been trained in primary health care, STD/ HIV/ TB prevention, HIV counseling, home-based care, and support group development. Thus far, the counselors have trained over 300 community educators to assist them in the informal settlements.

Counselors trained by HOPE worldwide mobilize PWA's for income generation, job skills training, training as community peer educators, counseling, psychosocial support, home visits, and medical care. Support groups are self sustaining through sewing, cooking, baking, vegetable gardening, and small business projects such as candle and peanut butter making.

Support
Multilevel support is provided through local support groups. Counseling, medical care, psychosocial support, home-based health care, life skills training, food distribution, and income generation provide assistance to PWA's at many different levels.

An important component of support is the income generation program which helps the PWA's to build their own self image as productive members of society while earning income to support themselves and their children. Because the support groups have grown tremendously since 1994, there is a need for more income generation equipment to expand the program. Once start up equipment and material is obtained, the program becomes self-sufficient as revenue generated is used to buy new material.

HOPE worldwide has already established twelve community programs in Soweto, South Africa and 10 satellite programs in the greater Johannesburg area. These HIV/AIDS support groups operate at community clinics, each guided by counselors who have been trained by HOPE worldwide. These support groups have tremendous impact based on the following conceptual framework:

Prevention
Medical personnel, counselors, and PWA's develop high impact HIV prevention programs for their communities.  These programs include discussions about HIV prevention brochures and pamphlets as well as weekly distribution by PWA's of condoms in each community.  Discussions are also generated on a weekly basis based on picture codes in order to facilitate interactive education.  In addition, theatre productions (dramas and plays) have been developed by the PWA's to improve communication about behavioral change.

These interactive education methods, coupled with disclosure by PWA's of their HIV status, have proven to be most effective in alerting communities to the dangers of AIDS and convincing individuals to change their high risk sexual behavior. The program described above is active at the twelve community clinics in Soweto, as well as at Baragwanath Hospital and Diepkloof Prison. Presently there is a need to extend HOPE worldwide's support and prevention programs with trained counselors to several more communities. In addition, an Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program has been established in South Africa as well.