Poshak Adult Nutrition Project

IAPA is implementing this project, since February 2011, for the care givers of HIV Positive children who are covered under IAPA’s Arokiya Project for the children. While we provide nutrition packets to the children, we didn’t want to leave out the care givers of the children, who are mostly their grandparents. Hence we provide them the provisions for them, so that they would be able to have at least a square meal a day. The provisions consist of rice, dhal, sugar, and cooking oil. This is given on monthly basis. One of the important component of the Poshak project is the “Nutrition Training to Care Givers”. In the training we provide them the knowledge about nutrition and the skill to cook food that are safe, nutritious and makes use of locally available resources.

“It was in 1996 when my husband died that I came to know I have HIV. I lived with my husband in Mumbai then. After his death, I came to Chennai to my relatives who knowing my status, disowned me. Then I met Meera of SMIS, in 1999. Living in SMIS I almost died, but after taking ART from 2006, recouped to live. In 2007, when I daughter became too ill she was tested and found to be HIV Positive also, but the children are mercifully HIV Negative. Now I also suffer from Astham. But after getting the monthly nutrition at SMIS, through IAPA, I am feeling so much better and gained the will to live.”

-Usha, 48 years

‘When I was 17 years old, my father died of HIV in 2007, but we told everyone he died of TB. I too thought it was TB that time. My mother also tested positive and she followed my father to death in the same year. I too tested positive but did not tell my status anyone, except my brother. Presently I am working as an Outreach Worker, in SMIS, receiving a salary of Rs. 3000 salary. Since my salary was not enough for me, as well as supporting my grandmother and two children and as also I was put on II line ART, I asked Sheema to include me in the Poshak Project, to receive nutrition and provision. After taking the nutrition, my tiredness is much reduced and I was able to resume my normal duties. Thanks to IAPA”

-Kanchana, 22 years

“My husband died, leaving me with 2 children, now aged 9 and 7 years old. Though I am HIV positive, thankfully my children are not. I have own house, so no rent problem. When I started ART, I had lot of problems, but after taking the Nutrition packets from IAPA, I have regained my strength and able to carry on living, for the sake of my children.”

-Lima Rose, 36 years

“My father died of HIV and he had two wives, besides me there were three brothers. When my own mother died, I had to move out of the house. When my child became very ill, I also tested my blood and found to be HIV positive. I disclosed my status only to my own brother, hiding the fact from my two half brothers. But my brother was very supporting and offered a piece of land to live. The organization CLAP, financed me to build a small thatch house. Now, since I am receiving the nutrition and the provisions from IAPA, I am able to eat well and carry on my work.”

Chandra, 41 years