African charities- a flicker of hope in the dark

The SOS Africa

http://www.sosafrica.com/

SOS Africa is a non-profit,UK registered, African charity, which strives for the education and care of underprivileged African children that is carried out mostly by volunteers.

SOS Africa was founded in January 2003 by a student -teacher team of Matt Crowcombe and Henry Matthews. Since its inception as a small charity organization, SOS Africa has come a long way and at present has many success stories to its credit and is doing a commendable work for the education and the upliftment of the children in Africa.

It funds the education and care of children in 15 of the 30 underprivileged townships and has been actively involved in various charitable events including Hyundai/SOS Africa 2010 Football World Cup Project, one of the largest charity projects  ever organized.

SOS Africa  has a network of volunteers and supporters who work for the education and care of the underprivileged students in Africa. It has opened various charity Shops in countries like UK where people donate clothes, furniture, books etc. SOS Africa has sponsorship and donation options for those who wish to actively involve in this noble venture.

The Ufosa Foundation South Africa

http://www.ufosafoundation.org/

The Ufosa Foundation is a reputed charity organization in South Africa that is involved in various segments like education, health and family planning.

Ufosa has set up 1000 libraries with the books that have been donated to them. Under its innovative venture of 100 Schools, 100 Libraries Programe, Ufosa staff  is trying to set up 100 fully catalogues libraries in 100 needy schools in the country. Ufosa sources books from school children, publishers and libraries in th UK  and the sponsors transport these books to South Africa.

Mustard seed project Kenya

http://www.mustardseedproject.co.uk/

Mustard seed project is a UK charity functioning in Mgongeni an urban slum area of Mombasa, Kenya. Some of the main activities of this organization include  education, healthcare  and a sports program for the  underprivileged children.

Mustard seed project runs a school with feeding program for over 150 students and also offers health education classes for women including Swahili reading and writing classes apart from English as a second language. Basic computing skills are also being developed among women at Miche Bora Primary School where  computers are accessible to the community.

Though Mgongeni is a community of over 8000 people, there are no adequate healthcare facilities even today.  Mustard Seed offers training sessions for mothers on preventative health and women and child illnesses in addition to personal hygiene sexual health, AIDS and family planning among others. Mustard seed is also actively involved in various community welfare measures like digging wells to ensure safe drinking water.

Posted by Admin - October 22, 2012 at 3:36 pm

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Children Non Profit Organizations

Children non profit organizations- Bring hope to millions of children

The non profit organizations that strive to make a quality change in the lives of the under privileged children around the world carry out the noble task often unknown and unsung. Non profit organizations carry out ventures to make the world a much beautiful and  happy place to live for the less fortunate children who suffer abuse and neglect for no fault of theirs.

Here are some well respected non profit organizations that have been involved in the welfare of the underprivileged kids around the world.

CRY UK

http://uk.cry.org/knowus/aboutcryuk.html

CRY- ‘Child Rights and You’ has been advocating the rights of children in India.  The welfare activities for the poor and the underprivileged children are sustained through the partnerships that are forged at the grassroots level in India. CRY UK supports 2 projects in India at present. It ensures the optimum use of resources and the improvement of quality in the projects, to make a quality change in the lives of the children

Projects

GSS (Gram Swaraj Sangh): It  is an innovative project undertaken in Gujarat with the aim of eradicating child labor among the Kolis community of marginal farmers. Today the organization carries out projects in over 148 hamlets in various segments like education, health, and livelihood among others.

Jago Foundation: Based in the Giridih district, Jago Project (which literally means to awake) got underway in 2004 to cater to the needs of the local communities who were displaced due to mining and land acquisitions programs. The project carries out various welfare activities like immunization programs, health and education among others. Some of the top priority activities on the list include eradication of child marriage, alcoholism and health care programs for mother and children.

Central Asia Institute

https://www.ikat.org/

This non profit organization strives to empower the children especially girls ofCentral Asia through education.

Central Asia Institute community projects are run in the remote mountain villages of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and the steppes of Mongolia, which are difficult to access and are cut off from the main cities. Very few organizations serve in these hostile terrains comprising of the highest mountain peaks, deserts and barren land along the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan, and the Pamir and Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan. The Central Asia Institute’s projects are executed  through community participation. Local NGOS and village communities make sure that the projects are taken up in right earnest.

Projects

Many innovative programs are being carried out by this non profit organization, some of which includes the following .

School Buildings

New schools are built for the children and CAI is the only organization that provides funds to support the developmental activities and local initiatives in these under developed areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Scholarships

Central Asia Institute awards scholarships for deserving children in primary, secondary, and advanced levels, which enable the students to continue their education in a larger town. Scholarships cover all the expenses like boarding tuition, school supplies, uniforms and travel expenses. The advanced-education scholarships are given to eligible youth in various sectors like teaching, animal husbandry, healthcare, law etc.

Kuaba Humanitarian Foundation

http://www.kuabahf.org/

Non-Profit Organization Supporting African Children, HIV AIDS Orphans in Africa

This non profit organization named Kuaba is Ghanaian language which means “Faith & Perseverance” strives to create a healthy and literate environment for the children in Sub-Sahara,Africa. This grass root organization support orphaned African children by adopting humanitarian projects of various kinds.

Activities

For many years, this foundation has stood for the well being and protection of HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe and to empower them to be productive. The foundation provides housing units, clean drinking water, sanitation and sustainability projects in addition to daily food and medications for the sick  children and AIDS victims.

This ambitious project is committed to improving the living conditions of the orphaned children in Africa and support homeless children to make a better world. The children are provided with school supplies, computers, medical supplies and other basic needs,

Housing projects

Houses are renovated to make them habitable and to ensure that the children remain with their parents

Drinking Water Projects

Aimed at providing clean drinking water and improving the basic sanitation to reduce the risk of diseases and to ensure a healthy living for the children.

Posted by Admin - October 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm

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Early Signs of HIV

What are the early signs of HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS, one of the most dreaded illnesses today.  Symptoms of HIV infection can manifest within a month or two after HIV entered the body, although the symptoms may also appear years and even decades after infection.  In the United States, 20% of those with HIV do not realize they have the virus, making it more important for them to undergo HIV testing.  There are several signs that may indicate that a person has contracted HIV.

Fever

One of the first signs of HIV infection is mild fever that can go up to 102 degrees F.  It is accompanied by mild symptoms like sore throat, swollen lymph glands and fatigue.  The virus is beginning to move into the blood stream and replicating in large numbers, resulting to an inflammatory reaction.

Fatigue

The inflammatory reaction can result to an infected individual to feel tired and exhausted. Thus fatigue is considered as another early sign of HIV infection. It is normal for people with HIV to feel tired after doing seemingly less strenuous activities like walking.

Swollen Nymph Nodes

People with HIV may notice swollen lymph nodes as well as pain in the joints and muscles.  Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and there is a tendency for these to be inflamed whenever there’s an infection. Lymph nodes are usually found in the neck, groin and armpit.

Skin Rash

Skin rashes may occur as an early sign of HIV, or as a late symptom. People infected with HIV would notice skin rashes like boils with itchy pink areas. The rashes can also be found on the trunk of the body. If skin rashes are not easily treated, then one has to seriously consider undergoing HIV test.

Diarrhea and vomiting

At least 30% of people with HIV experience diarrhea and vomiting during the early stages of HIV infection. The symptoms may also be a result of antiretroviral therapy.  Diarrhea that cannot be cured by usual over-the-counter medication can be an indication of HIV infection.

Unexplained weight loss

People with HIV can experience unexplained weight loss, partly due to severe diarrhea.  According to specialists, weight loss can be due to the depletion of the body’s immune system. The US Department of Health and Human Services says people who have lost 10% of their body weight and at the same time experience fever and diarrhea for more than a month should consider undergoing HIV test.

Dry cough

One of the first signs of HIV infection is dry cough. It could persist for months and even years. Dry cough that is a symptom of HIV is also difficult to cure, with inhalers and antibiotics unable to address it.

Night sweats

At least half of people infected with HIV will experience night sweats during the early part of the infection. Night sweats are also not related to exercise or the temperature of the room. Night sweats associated with HIV infection are hard to dismiss as well.

Posted by Admin - October 15, 2012 at 4:31 pm

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Pictures of HIV

In the initial stages of contracting HIV, there may be no symptoms that can be observed. In the first few months of entering the body, around 40 to 90% of individuals contracted with HIV suffer some flu-like symptom which is known as acute retroviral syndrome or ARS. For some however, HIV symptoms do not appear for several years even decades. The progression of the HIV differs generally among individuals. This development may range from a few months to more than ten years.

However, the most common symptom is fever which can run up to about 102 degrees Fahrenheit. It is usually accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, weight loss among others. At this stage, the HIV is going into the blood stream and   is starting to replicate in big numbers.

Fatigue is another symptom. As the virus progress to your blood, the immune system is inflamed and can caused you fatigue and you feel lethargic and tired.

Acute retroviral syndrome is usually mistaken for the flu or another viral sexual infection such gonorrhea or even hepatitis. This is not at all surprising since the symptoms are just the same which include muscle pain and joint pain and swollen glands. Lymph nodes are within one’s immune system and tend to be hurt when inflamed by a virus. They are usually found in neck, groin and armpit.

Sore throat and headache are another set of common symptoms since they are manifestations when the body’s immune system is attacked by a virus.

Skin rashes can also manifest in early or late part of the HIV development. They are usually similar to boils accompanied by some itchy pink areas in one’s arms. If the skin rash cannot be explained, it can be a possible symptom of HIV.

There may also be short-term nausea, diarrhea and vomiting in the initial stages of HIV. They manifest as a result of anti retroviral therapy and then in the infection state typically as an offshoot of an opportunistic infection. Diarrhea that cannot be cured by the usual remedy and is unremitting may be an indication of HIB infection.

There is also weight loss or the so called AIDS wasting. This is a symptom of a more advanced ailment and could be attributed in part to diarrhea. The immune system is already attacked hence the person is suffering from weight loss. A person is said to have manifested a wasting syndrome if they lose at least 10% of their body weight and had suffered from diarrhea or weakness and fever for more than thirty days.

And finally a dry cough may be a symptom of HIV infection. If a dry cough went on for more than one year and kept getting worse with the usual medicines like antibiotics and inhalers not giving a respite to it, then it is time to have an HIV check up.  The cough and weight may be considered to be a precursor to a grave infection which attacks the immune system such as the HIV.

Picture with HIV symptom

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=800&bih=509&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=Q9nGGUKzNf3zjM:&imgrefurl=http://hiv-aidsrlyn.pbworks.com/w/page/10756106/HIV-%2520AIDS–Knowing%2520the%2520Difference%2520and%2520Finding%2520a%2520Cure&docid=5tPSYF_kH2h1PM&imgurl=http://hiv-aidsrlyn.pbworks.com/f/1240953459/1240953459/CU_c1_c01.jpg&w=500&h=542&ei=Iqh5UI6AKsSjiAeQj4H4DQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=459&vpy=12&dur=590&hovh=227&hovw=209&tx=100&ty=102&sig=112546067885767371435&page=1&tbnh=149&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:138

Posted by Admin - October 15, 2012 at 4:27 pm

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HIV Symptoms in Women

The Most Common Symptoms of HIV in Women

The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition that is characterized by the failure of the immune system to combat and prevent life-threatening diseases like cancer.  Both men and women can fall prey to HIV. There are several symptoms of HIV in women. Since most of the cases of HIV are a result of unprotected sex, it is important for women who have had multiple sexual partners to undergo regular HIV screening.

Lack of appetite and weight loss

One of the more common signs of HIV in women is the lack of appetite that can lead to women suffering from rapid weight loss. Many women who have HIV find it hard to eat. Constant diarrhea can also enhance the weight loss process. It is a regular occurrence for women who have HIV to think that they are pregnant because of the lack of appetite. Thus most of them end up going to a prenatal clinic instead of getting tested for HIV.

Constant Fatigue

As the body fails to stop HIV from disrupting the immune system, women with HIV also feel constantly fatigued. This is due to the HIV wrecking havoc on the body, aside from the fact that women with HIV are also unable to get the right nutrients for their body because of their lack of appetite.

Psychological Issues

Most women with HIV drastically lose their self confidence, resulting to different kinds of psychological issues. They often feel uncomfortable interacting with other people. The increased stress and tension often yields to a faster infection by the virus, especially with women not having enough nutrients to build up the immune system due to their lack of appetite.

Lymph Nodes

Another symptom of HIV in women are swollen glands, or lymph nodes often found in the armpits, groin and neck. According to research, lymph nodes happen to 3 out of 4 people who have been tested HIV-positive. Lymph nodes are generalized and in most cases, not painful.

Vaginal Discharge

Another common HIV symptom among women is vaginal discharge. The discharge may be muddy, clear or colored, and the amount may vary depending on the specific condition of the patient.

Flu-Like Symptoms

Women who have HIV also suffer from flu-like symptoms. These symptoms usually occur week in and week out. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, soreness and other conditions associated by the flu. Flu-like symptoms appear as the body tries to fight off the HIV in the body.

Changes in Menstrual Cycle

Women who are HIV positive will also experience radical changes in their menstrual cycle. They often miss their first period after having sexual contact, making them think that they are pregnant only to end up having irregular periods that last for either fewer or more days than their usual cycle.  Women with HIV may also notice yeast infections particularly in their vagina. However the infections occur only during the more advanced stages of AIDs.

 

 

Posted by Admin - October 12, 2012 at 4:24 pm

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