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The World Forum Networking Project for 2003-2004 Awarded to:
The Project: 
HIV/AIDS and young children: An assessment of the services provided to children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in Windhoek, Namibia.
Rationale for the Project: HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic, with its epicenter in Sub-Saharan Africa, but with alarming prevalence rates being noted in Eastern Europe, Asia (particularly India and China), Latin America, and the Caribbean.It is now well known that HIV/AIDS has grave implications for children beyond infection. The most recent report released by UNAIDS states that over 4 million children are infected by HIV/AIDS worldwide, and over 12 million children have been orphaned and/or have been subject to trauma, disruption of lifestyle, poverty, stigmatization, abuse, and other forms of victimization. The global social and economic implications are immense. The World Forum Foundation Networking Scholarship provided an opportunity for an alliance between researchers from opposite sides of the world to investigate what has been called "the most significant issue facing children today." Namibia has high rates of prevalence of HIV/AIDS. It was here that Professor Barnabas Otaala, Cynthy Haihamo, and Roderick Zimba teamed with Jacqueline Hayden from Australia to investigate a sorely under-researched area of HIV/AIDS: the impact upon very young children - those aged 0-8 years. Building on the funds from the scholarship, both Barnabas and Jacqueline were able to secure additional grants from other sources. The University of Namibia provided Jacqueline with accommodation, office space, and other necessities. The University of Western Sydney paid for Jacqueline's airfare to Namibia and supported the costs for a second printing of the book. Outcomes: The study makes a contribution to others who wish to conduct similar research projects. Over and above the findings about the children which are published in book form, the completion of the study has provided a model for sensitive data gathering from very young children, and describes how voices of the children and their caregivers can be used to break through the silence of discrimination and stigma.The partners envision that the processes and the information, which were "trialed" by this project, will have long-term sustainable outcomes. They are currently in the process of seeking additional funds for extended research in Namibia and throughout the world, where the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to destroy life chances for young children. The book, entitled HIV/AIDS and Young Children: An assessment of the services provided to children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in Windhoek Namibia is currently available from Pademelon Press www.pademelonpress.com.au. The Network Team: While Barnabas and Jacqueline submitted the initial proposal, The Network Team was soon enhanced to include the following:
How the Network Scholarship was used: The Network Scholarship allowed for the use of IT resources, computer based data analyses, and other research tools which are readily available in Australia, to be applied to the experience, insight, networks, and understandings of the Namibian team members. Together, a study was completed which could not have happened without the contributions of each network partner.The Network Scholarship funds were used for expenses in Namibia including recruiting and training research assistants, conducting and transcribing interviews, travel costs within the region, and the initial print run of the book, which was circulated throughout Sub-Sahara Africa and beyond. |
