To contribute to improving the quality of life and the social and economic reinsertion of 180 people infected and/or affected by HIV and AIDS from four impoverished communities on the outskirts of the South Zone of the city of São Paulo.
The city of São Paulo has an estimated population of 10,744,060 people, predominantly young and urban, and the region of Campo Limpo – South Zone of São Paulo – represents 26.65% of this population. The AIDS epidemic in Brazil is concentrated, presenting a rate of HIV prevalence of 0.61% (in the 15-49 age bracket). It is estimated that nearly 600,000 people live with HIV in the country, with no knowledge of their serological status. The state of São Paulo has a concentration of 42.3% of the cases of AIDS in Brazil, and the city of São Paulo has the largest number of cases: 64,326 people infected, representing 18% of the total number of people with AIDS in Brazil.
Founded in 1994, FXB Brazil is located in Campo Limpo and is one of the few AIDS-related NGOs operating in the South Zone region of São Paulo, and therefore stands as a reference for the support of children and adults living with or affected by the AIDS epidemic. Initially linking its work to the taking in, sheltering and integral care of children infected by HIV in the FXB House, FXB Brazil has expanded the scope of its work by gradually transforming the institutionalization of infected children into strategies that guarantee the modification of the local context: FXB Brazil has incorporated actions geared toward family and social reinsertion into its activities, mobilizing the public sector in social, educational and health areas and empowering and professionalizing people vulnerable to infection.
In the process of this programmatic and political transformation of FXB Brazil, other needs for action were identified to impede the destruction of the family and the consequent increase in the institutionalization of children infected by HIV in situations of extreme social and economic vulnerability. From this new institutional core, the implantation of activities for adults and youth infected or affected by the epidemic from needy communities surrounding the institution’s headquarters, was initiated for the purpose of significantly decreasing existing social and economic fragility.
Strategies:
- Develop professional qualification activities to generate alternate income, focusing mainly on the area of weaving.
- Strengthen the capacity for mobilization and social participation of people affected or infected by HIV and AIDS, from impoverished communities.
- Broaden the coverage and improve the quality of actions focusing on HIV and AIDS prevention and assistance, geared toward the population groups most vulnerable to the epidemic.
- Broaden knowledge and community mobilization about relevant topics for improving the quality of life of impoverished communities in terms of healthier food, preservation of the environment and new methods for reusing recycled materials.
- Accompany and encourage children and youth from the four communities in activities involving integral education (average of 130 children and youth).