Uganda
Our work in Uganda
mothers2mothers’ (m2m) work in Uganda is presently focused in Jinja, Namayingo, Bugiri, Bugweri and Iganga Districts, situated in the East Central region of the country. We provide prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) support services in both health facilities and communities. Since launching in Uganda in 2010, m2m has tailored our services to closely match local realities. This includes responding to the high rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in Uganda with m2m’s Girls4Change project, which aims to increase access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescent girls. m2m identifies HIV-positive orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and
supports them and their caregivers, including through the provision of school subsidies to encourage educational attainment. Mentor Mothers also identify children with disabilities, referring them and their families for services, while educating communities to reduce stigma. m2m Uganda was the first country to train Mentor Mothers to promote and foster the economic empowerment of their clients. Furthermore, Mentor Mother-led Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups are improving women’s ability to borrow money to finance income-generating activities.
Angela Kave, Mentor Mother trainee, Hiima Health Center lll, Kasese District, Uganda
Our Impact in Uganda
Virtual elimination of mother-to- child transmission of HIV among m2m’s enrolled clients, according to UNAIDS guidelines:
99%
of HIV-positive women enrolled at m2m were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for life.
100%
of HIV-exposed infants of enrolled m2m clients were given ART to protect them from infection.
100%
of these HIV-exposed infants were tested for HIV at 6-8 weeks.
6 – Our MTCT rate is comparable to the UNAIDS MTCT Indicator, as outlined in their guidelines available here: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2017-Global-AIDS-Monitoring_en.pdf. National benchmark is based on the latest available UNAIDS data, published here: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/20190722_UNAIDS_SFSFAF_2019_en.pdf
Success Story
Community Mentor Mother, Teddy Atim, met mothers2mothers in 2014 when she was 20 years old and pregnant with her first child. As a young mother and wife, she faced many difficulties. m2m’s Mentor Mothers helped her transform her life.
Living in a rural fishing village in Banda, Uganda, comes with socio-economic challenges. Communities live in extreme poverty, unemployment is rife, and polygamy is common.When I found out I was HIV-positive, I kept asking myself: “How did I contract the virus?” and “what will happen to my unborn baby?” When I disclosed my status to my husband, I thought that this would be the end of our relationship. Thankfully the Community Mentor Mothers were there to lend their love and support to us. mothers2mothers empowered me through employment. I now work as a Mentor Mother, providing services to other women and adolescent girls and urge them to regularly visit their local clinics for health checks. The biggest change has been in my husband. He no longer sees me as that useless woman when I was first diagnosed. He loves me so much and calls me “Hope” because I am his future. Today I am a Health Worker and also a happy and healthy mother to three HIV- free children.
