TCE

Some facts about HIV / AIDS:

· 60 million people in the world have been infected by HIV - the virus causing AIDS.
· 20 million people have died.
· 40 million people live with HIV / AIDS today.
· 28.5 million people in Africa, South of Sahara, are HIV positive.
· Over 7000 people die from AIDS everyday.
· There is an estimated 14 million children orphaned by AIDS.
· 1/2 million children are born HIV positive every year in Africa.
· In 16 countries in Africa more than 10% of the population are infected.

TCE means Total Control of the Epidemic and is a radical and systematic program developed by Humana People to People to fight AIDS. The program started in 2000, is now in operation in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa and involves 2,3 million people.

AIDS is the worst epidemic in human history. The epidemic was identified 20 years ago and today there is not one country in the world that does not have people infected with HIV. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a global crisis, and it affects us all. More than anywhere else the HIV/ AIDS epidemic has struck Africa south of Sahara, and it has struck the poor and disadvantaged. In the tradition of the Humana People to People and its humanism founded on solidarity we humbly join the people of Africa in their struggle to get HIV/AIDS under control, and we invite Development Instructors to join this struggle.

The TCE Program takes its point of departure in the fact that only people can liberate themselves from the epidemic -but it certainly also takes the participation from all of us to effectively wipe out this plague. And this is where you come into the picture.

Introduction to TCE Mozambique

The launch of TCE in Mozambique was not only an expansion of a program with a vision to cover the whole of southern Africa, but more significantly it was an expansion to enrich the experiences in implementing TCE.

The first two TCE programs in Zimbabwe and Botswana were in English speaking and former British Colonies. Mozambique being Portuguese speaking will certainly bring in new perspectives in the implementation of TCE. Besides this, the HIV / AIDS prevalence rate in Mozambique (of around 18% of the adult population, living with AIDS) is high by international levels, but is still lower than those of Zimbabwe (24.6%) and Botswana (39%). This does not mean that TCE as a program is less aggressive in Mozambique. The point is, these differences will on a comparative basis benefit not only TCE as a program but the people in Southern and the rest of the world where TCE will in future be implemented.

The first TCE areas were made possible by funding from MOZAL, a private company investing in Mozambique, with capital from Mitsubishi Japan, Billiton (UK) and the World Bank Private Sector Program. MOZAL welcomed TCE and supported it for the benefit of its workers and the community around its factory. That means 100 Field Officers, reaching 200 000 people in the areas of Boane and Costa do Sol in Maputo.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

"The war against HIV / AIDS must start in our own homes, because there is no brave and strong ones against death. We are crying for our children, our grandchildren, our great grand children. The salvation is through changing our behavior, accepting what the TCE Field Officers will tell and teach us." Said a Bairo Secretary at the TCE introductory meeting on Boane and Matola, August 2000.

TCE 1: Boane and Matola

TCE in Mozambique was launched in Boane and Matola in August 2000. It was also possible because TCE experiences from Zimbabwe and Botswana could be used to successfully start in Mozambique. The first fields covered districts in the outskirts of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique.

TCE 2: Polana, Canico and Costa do Sol

Towards the end of August 2001, TCE Mozambique recruited and trained 72 candidates for the TCE in Polana Canico and Costa dol Sol Areas.

With all these experiences, TCE has now expanded to Sofala Province in Mozambique through the monetization program involving World Vision International, United States Department of Agriculture and WISHH. TCE in Mozambique has embarked on recruitment and training of 200 Field Officers to cover the 4 new Areas in Sofala. The training program is both theoretical and practical. After the initial TCE training, American Soybean Association will come and train the Field Officers as well as Passionates in the proper use of Soy products.

Apart from Sofala, TCE has started another new area in Moma, Nampula Province in partnership with KENMARE, an Irish Mining Company in Mozambique. Recruitment and training of Field Officers is also underway. This is a great stride towards Total Control of the Epidemic as more and more people get to understand their sexual values and how to make informed decisions when it comes to sex.

AWARDS

FIRST PRICE BY AGFUND

In Year 2000 PACT nominated “Total Control of the Epidemic” as 1st price winner for the Arab Gulf Fund for United Nations Department Organizations (AGFUND) for its ability to build capacity in the local population to take control of the epidemic, and involving everyone in the fight against HIV/AIDS. OPEC praise Humana People to People for its excellence in the mobilization of millions of people in the Southern Africa to tackle HIV/AIDS and deal with the consequences through Total Control of the Epidemic program.

“SHAPING THE FUTURE” AWARD

On the Generation Europe Youth Summit BHP Billton received the “Shaping the Future 2002” award for its sponsorship to: Total Control of the Epidemic implemented by Humana People to People, ADPP in Mozambique. This award was given to Mozal for funding Total Control of the Epidemic in Mozambique. 84 European youth delegates, students of business, economics, and social science from 28 European countries, voted for Total Control of the Epidemic as best among 25 developmental projects. Humana People to People considers the award important, because it is an expression of the peoples support for such an initiative.

"STARS OF AFRICA" AWARD

US Company, Johnson & Johnson won the “Stars of Africa Award” for its support and engagement into "Total Control of the Epidemic" program in Bramfischerville, implemented by Humana People to People. The ceremony took place on the 26th of November 2003 in Johannesburg. The judging criteria used in assessment of TCE were: Innovation & Creativity, Effectiveness & Impact, Sustainability, Replicability, and Achievement of objectives.