This co-operation forges greater linkages between health and social institutions, with an objective to strengthen the Claudia A's capacity to fulfil its mandate to counsel, care for and train people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and children whose parents have died of an AIDS-related illness. Partners in Canada familiarize themselves with Claudia A's current structure and activities and provide guidance on how to re-structure the organisation to be most effective in the short and long term. Capacity building at every level of Claudia A benefits both staff and clients through administrative upgrading and training, restructuring management, creating support groups, meeting basic care, and sanitation needs, building sustainable fund-raising strategies and establishing a viable volunteer programme. Claudia A serves as a drop-in centre for children as well as adults. A nutritious lunch is always served, and extracurricular activities are often planned. Most of the children who come to the centre are AIDS orphans or have parents that are HIV positive. An emphasis is placed on building family relationships, to ensure that AIDS orphans always have a home and support. The organisation provides services to adults living with HIV and AIDS that have registered with the organisation, including home care, free condoms and counseling services.

Children, HIV/AIDS

At present Suriname's population of 450,000 is faced with a range of socio-economic problems that seriously threaten the health of the population, and especially the health of women and children. A recent survey conducted by UNICEF indicates that poverty - those living below the poverty line - is 52% in urban areas, 61% in rural areas and 91% in the interior. This project focuses on providing care and support for women, children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, to foster healthy communities.

Claudia A Foundation, the implementing agency for this project, is the primary agency in Suriname currently providing an organised HIV/AIDS care and support service. This grassroots effort has considerable support in the community but lacks the resources or structure to implement the programme effectively. While the Government recognizes the benefits of HIV care and family support, it has not incorporated home care into its health programmes nor adopted modern legislation on care and financial support for AIDS orphans.

For the past two years, five staff at Claudia A have managed all aspects of running the organisation; including administration, a drop-in centre, facility housekeeping, training, home care, child care and support groups, often obtaining funding from their own pockets, even though they live in poverty themselves.