Lucy dancing with the caregivers

Chris runs and is one of the founders of  OGLM (Organization for Good Life of Marginalized) in Uganda. The overall objective is the mitigation & prevention of HIV/AIDS among the marginalized (Sex Workers, Orphan & Vulnerable Children, Grandmothers – Women and Youths) in Eastern Uganda.

The aids epidemic in Uganda has been around for about 26 years and it effects everyone – especially women and children.  The government is very poor and very corrupt.  Because many adults die of aids, their children are being raised by their grandmothers or “grannies.”  Most of the time the grannie have no skills and are already living in utmost poverty.

OGLM was founded with a vision of  ”A society that is free from HIV/AIDS, Poverty and recognizes the needs of the marginalized” and a mission  ”To reduce Poverty and HIV/AIDS among the marginalized especially women, children and youth in Uganda through socio-economic empowerment, advocacy and information sharing”.

OGLM has successfully implemented the following projects:

• Trained 72 Sex Workers in Njeru on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights;
• Children Program: Built a Children’s Home which is housing 42 Children affected with HIV/AIDS;
• Social & Education: Supported some 230 Children in Kamuli;
• Educational Support: OGLM has been able to support 25 Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS to go back to School;
• Vocational Education: OGLM is putting in place a Vocational School to take on Ex-sex workers infected with HIV/AIDS to do courses in tailoring/sewing;
• Economic Access for the Prostitutes: 25 Sex Workers living with HIV/AIDS were supported to access soft loans from the micro-credit providers in Uganda through a referral system, later arrangements were made and support was provided for them to access markets. This was done to fight poverty among the Sex Workers;
• Health: 72 Sex Workers are being supported in association with the Uganda Family Planning Association of Uganda (FPAU), Uganda Aids Commission (UAC), Aids Information Center – Jinja (AIC) and The Aids Support Organization (TASO), to access quality health services in Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT), Family Planning Services, Anti-Aids Drugs (ARVs & ARTs) and specialized medical attention;
• Lobbying & Advocacy: In Nov/2005 OGLM called a grand workshop in Jinja, for the celebrated schools of thought, human rights activists, members of parliament and the press to present papers and their views on why the Ugandan Health Policy doesn’t consider Sex Workers. Views were collected and a press statement was issued;
• Others: Baseline surveys, Researches, Capacity Building and IEC Development for Advocacy & Health Rights.