1. Summary Overview (1/2 page max)

The aspect of the HAPP III project implemented by CEDA is for output 2.1, i.e., “Improved SRHR for vulnerable persons especially girls and women ”. The project is being implemented in two cross border chiefdoms, Sorogbeima and Mapkele, in the Pujehun district. Since it entails cross border activities, the target beneficiaries included cross border drivers, commercial sex workers, adolescent girls, families in the cross border communities and children. The project implementation points included cross border communities, lorry parks and market places at the cross border points.

2. Situational Report (2 pages max)

The overarching aim of the project is to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the population through improved attitude and behavior of the beneficiaries in relation to SRHR, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS, GBV, and empowerment of vulnerable persons, especially girls and women. The sub-objectives of the project are as follows:

• To support women and children to have access to correct information, safe, effective, acceptable and affordable contraception of their choice;
• To inform and empower the above named groups to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases;
• To enable them to decide on the number and spacing of children they should bear.

Within the reporting period, the following activities were carried as indicated in the plan[1] below –

Activity 1: 1- training conducted for 3 days on the techniques of delivery HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and Family Planning messages for 20 Animators and Peer Educators.

A one day training was conducted for three days on Sexual reproductive health rights issues (HIV/AIDS) prevention and family planning) was held on the 20^th to the 22^th July 2015 at Zimmi community hall, Zimmi Makpele town for twenty participants.

On the first day of the training, the training started by 11amand the Project Coordinator CEDA welcomed all the participants. P.C also asked participant to volunteer in leading us in prayer; it was done by two peer educators- one in Christian and the other in Muslim followed by introductions of all participants, facilitators and staff from (CEDA/SL). Courtesy opening was done by the Project Coordinator, CEDA-SL, who explained to participants that, the project was funded to CEDA-SL by the German government through KFW and NAS for the implementation on activities to prevent and address SRHR issues in communities. The topic of the training was Sexual Reproductive Health and Right issues, where in the M&E manager briefly explains to participants the meaning of SRHR issues.

Hired individuals, from the Department of Environment Health Sciences, Njala University and a CHO from the Pujehun Government Hospital facilitated the training.

Staff from CEDA including Project Coordinator, Field Supervisor, Project Officer, M&E Manager and Gender Desk Officer assisted in the training.

Activity 2: Support to Animators and Peer Educators to organize 20 community events.

Two types of support, financial and material (condoms, flyers, posters and t-shirts) supports, were provided to As/PEs in the months of August, September and October, 2015, to orgnised community events. The following events were organized including public meetings in the trade fairs, market places; focus group discussions at 10 different locations. At each location, the people were sensitized on sexual health and reproductive rights issues – HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention, GBV, HTPs including early marriages, FGM, and Family Planning.

Activity 3: Organise 8 mass sensitisations at lorry parks and border sites and provide mobile services on VCT, FP and STI treatment.

4 mass sensitisations activities (1 in Zimmi, 1 in Fairo and 2 at Gendema) were organized at town center in Zimmi town, Barry in Fairo, and lorry park in Gendema and across the border in Liberia. The sensitisations were done in the months of October, 2015 on the 14^th, 15^th 28^th and 29^th in Zimmi, Gendema, Fairo and Gendema respectively. The people in attendant were sensitized on sexual health and reproductive rights issues – HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention, GBV, HTPs including early marriages, FGM, and Family Planning.

During the sensitisations, 2,222 people (954 males, 1,268 females) were engaged; 15,400 condoms distributed (14,400 Male, 1,000 Female); 3 people (1 male, 2 females) consented to be tested for HIV/AIDS and were referred to the CHO, who was in attendance; 3 married women met the Gender Desk Officer in private and consented to undertake birth control measures without the consent of their husbands; and 1 person showed up and complained of having swollen genitals.

3. Lessons learnt

• Use of best practices from the communities helped a lot in sensitization;
• Since a good number of people were shy to collect the condoms or show up for VCT, FP issues, sensitization continued into the night when most of them showed up. Confidentiality was ensured.

4. Constraints and Possible solutions

• Delay in provision of project implementation materials.

Solution - timely provision of project materials;

• Delay in disbursement of funds

Solution - timely disbursement of funds

• Bad road network

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions:

• 1- training conducted for 3 days on the techniques of delivery HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and Family Planning messages for 20 Animators and Peer Educators;
• Financial and material (condoms, posters, flyers, t-shirts) supports were given to 20 Animators/Peer Educators to organized community events;
• 8 community events oragnised so far by the Animators/Peer Educators
• 15,400 condoms (14,400 male and 1,000 female) were distributed;
• 4 mass sensitisations carried out: 1 in Zimmi town (Mapkele chiefdom), 1 in Fairo and 2 Gendema town (Sorogbeima chiefdom);

Recommendations:

• Timely disbursement of funds and provision of materials;
• Monthly follow-up on the sub-grantees’ activities will help keep them on their toes.
• MOA to be put in place for free treatment of other STIs, besides HIV/AIDS.

6. Change Story

• Peoples’ perception –
• Most of the females confessed that, that was their first time of seeing a female condom and even requested for detailed direction on usage.

[1] As per CEDA’s IMF M&E Plan