CHRISTIAN HIV & AIDS NETWORK OF LIBERIA (CHANOL)

CHRISTIAN HIV & AIDS NETWORK OF LIBERIA (CHANOL) Presented by: Selma Scott Gibson Co-presented by: Rev. Moses B. Gobah

MAP OF LIBERIA

PURPOSES • To provide a brief background of the Network (CHANOL) • Explain the benefit of Technology to the improvement of the Network activities

INTRODUCTION The Christian HIV & AIDS Network of Liberia (CHANOL) is a non-governmental Faith Based Organization comprising Churches and Para-Church Organizations with a membership of 32 Churches and Christian organizations

VISION To ensure the Reduction of the Incidence of HIV & AIDS in Liberia

MISSION To effectively consolidate and coordinate the Christians’ and partners’ response to HIV & AIDS through NETWORKING and COLLABORATION.

BACKGROUND • The Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic Churches met in 2002 to establish a forum that would facilitate networking amongst Churches and other Christian organizations to forge partnership with other stakeholders to initiate advocacy for a positive Christian response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Liberia.

BACKGROUND CONT’D • In 2006, CHANOL solicited partnership with PACANET. • In June 2006, PACANET made an assessment visit to Liberia • As a result, a six-member taskforce was constituted to facilitate the networking relationship between CHANOL and PACANET

NETWORK FORMATION • Thereafter, the taskforce through the support of PACANet identified a consultant to undertake the situation analysis of the Church response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Liberia. • The report from the situation analysis was presented to the “Called to Action” Church Leaders Conference.

Call to Action Conference • A Call to Action Conference “CAC” drew 51 participants from 12 Christian Denominations and 13 Christian Organizations

CAC OBJECTIVES • To share the results of the situational analysis report; and • To start a process of building trust and working relations among the church leaders in envisioning the future together so as to respond to HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Call to Action Conference Participants

BISHOP CONFERENCE The broad objective of the Bishops’ conference was to solicit the inputs and commitment of the Church leadership to jointly reflect on the issues of HIV & AIDS, in an effort to foster a coordinated Christian response.

PARTICIPANTS AT BISHOPS and SENIOR CHURCH LEADERS CONFERENCE

Bishops and Senior Church Leaders Communiqué Whereas, we acknowledge and realize the comparative advantage and leadership role of the Church to effectively address the underlying, fundamental threats posed by this pandemic; We, therefore, observe, resolve and commit to the followings: • That HIV & AIDS is NOT a curse or punishment from God, but a disease that can infect ANYONE; • To participate in the effective prevention of further spread of HIV and to mitigate the impact of HIV & AIDS; • To engage in Family Life Education as a critical entry point for effective prevention of HIV; • To amplify the voice of the Church on critical issues regarding HIV and AIDS; • To combat Stigma and Discrimination against all persons infected and affected by HIV & AIDS;

Communiqué Cont’d • To develop HIV & AIDS policies to provide guideline and direction for our church practices, teachings and intervention initiatives; • To respond with Christ like compassion and care to all persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS; • To engage strategic partners and individuals in rigorous resource mobilization campaigns to avail resources for the implementation of the intervention initiatives of the Church; • To establish an effective collaborative front under the umbrella of the Christian HIV & AIDS Network of Liberia (CHANOL) to coordinate a consolidated Christian response to HIV & AIDS in Liberia; • Therefore, we pledge to work together in a united front to address HIV & AIDS.

Church Leaders workshop on Stigma & Discrimination • The aim of the training was to facilitate Church Leaders to acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and positive attitudes necessary for improved responses and actions on HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination in the Church • The training brought together 33 delegates representing 23 churches and 10 organizations.

Participants at Church Leaders workshop on stigma & discrimination

Change Agent Training • The purpose of the Change Agents training is to identify and build a core group of individuals who will drive a process for a shift in paradigm in the overall Christian response to HIV and AIDS. • A total of twenty-one (21) participants, representing a wide range of denominations and Christian organizations attended the training.

Partial view of participants during a working session at Change Agent Training

CONSENSUS BUILDING CONFERENCE • The Consensus Building Conference was a critical step in the network development; • It introduce a new dimension in the management of the Country Christian AIDS Network, Christian HIV and AIDS Network of Liberia (CHANOL)

Consensus Building Conference Objective • To facilitate the delegates to design the strategic direction of the CCANet; and • To elect a governing body to assume the responsibility of administration of the CCANet

Participants at Consensus Building Conference

CHANOL BOARD • At the end of the Consensus Building Conference, an eleven member board was elected and commissioned to serve a three year period • The Board membership comprise individuals from churches as well as Christian organizations

Cross Section of Board Members

PARTNERSHIP • CHANOL in Partnership with Mercy ship invited Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha to Liberia in 2007 • During his visit, a capacity building was conducted for members of CHANOL • Two conferences were also hosted for church leaders at which time 67 persons who attended the conference prompted to do HIV test

Rev. Canon Gideon Posted with some members of CHANOL

PARTNERSHIP Cont’d Between 2003 – 2005 CHANOL received separate grants from UNDP, USAID, CRS, ELCA, and WFP to sent 23 Liberian Counselors to Bostwana for advance Training of Trainers in HIV and AIDS Counseling.

FIVE YEARS (2009 – 2013) STRATEGIC PLAN A FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN SIX (6) THEMATIC AREAS AS FOLLOWS: • To conduct research to avail information for the enhancement of the Christian response to HIV and AIDS in Liberia;

STRATEGIC PLAN CONT’D • To create the forum or mechanism for networking and partnership amongst churches, Christian organizations and relevant stakeholders responding to HIV and AIDS in Liberia • To empower the Church to have a strong voice (advocacy) in shaping policies and promoting the welfare of persons living with HIV in Liberia;

STRATEGIC PLAN CONT’D • To build the capacity of CHANOL constituency for an effective response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Liberia; • To mobilizeresources to support the HIV and AIDS interventions of the CHANOL constituency; • To develop the institutional capacity of CHANOL, so as to achieve the above strategic objectives

BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY • Since the establishment of the network, Technology remain the major facilitator to the achievement of the organization’s goal • The Internet and phone (especially mobile) continue to serve as the fastest medium in communicating with our members and partners

BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY CONT’D • The usage of the Internet (Web) is essential in getting acquainted with the works of other partners and stakeholders; Example: CCIH • Most important among those equipments was the computer that remain the easier tool for writing reports and other data storage

LESSON LEARNT • Networking among Churches and other Christian Organization where members learn from each other and avoid duplication • Member churches are able and ready to take ownership in responding to HIV when well facilitated • Fighting stigma through local congregation, especially the use of the pulpit brings about change of attitude towards PLHIV

CHALLENGES • Lack of adequate funding • Slow progress in de-centralization • Inability to control monitoring and evaluation

End of Presentation Thanks!!! Q & A

CHRISTIAN HIV & AIDS NETWORK OF LIBERIA (CHANOL)