Children with HIV and their families: Food, medicines, and play

WE-ACTx provides a comprehensive continuum of care to HIV infected children and their families through an integrated medical and psychosocial service delivery model, informed by the Rwandan partner associations. Care begins with voluntary counseling and testing, continues at the WE-ACTx clinical sites, includes home visits, social needs assessment, educational support groups, emotional counseling, permanency planning, and assessment and enhancement of the community understanding of families affected by HIV. Rwandan psychologists, trauma counselors, doctors, nurses, and family peer advocates staff the program. Results of home visit surveys of over 300 families with children with HIV show children live in homes with an average of 5 others, 1 out of 3 has lost a mother or father to HIV, 17% are orphans, 50% one or fewer meals each day, 94% don't have enough clothes to wear, and 20% are depressed according to a parent (don't want to go to school, act out, don't want to take their antiretroviral medications). Peer family advocates staff the Child Life rooms and provide snacks for the children during clinic visits. Support groups for children and mothers and fathers occur weekly, and individual counseling is available for children with more serious psychologic problems. Each Sunday, 150-175 children gather at the Islamic Center for outdoor activities, arts and crafts, a nutritional meal, and special classes in art and English as a second language. Providing nutrition, play therapy and emotional support will improve the well being of children living with HIV.