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HISTORY OF TASAAGA

The history of Tokamalirawo AIDS Support and Action Group Awareness’ (TASAAGA) is associated with various strategies adopted by the Ugandan population to fight HIV/AIDS.
Mutebi Musa Tokamalirawo is traditional Herbalist and is one of the Ugandans who realized the healthy needs of those who were infected by AIDS. He started in 1989 by giving free herbal medicine to needy HIV positive people in a radius of 10 sq km from his clinic of traditional herbal medicine.
In 1993 THETA (Traditional and Modern Healthy practitioners Together against AIDS) trained him as a community HIV/AIDS educator / counselor. The training with THETA exposed Mr. Mutebi Tokamalirawo a Traditional herbalist since 1967 to the idea of formalizing his operations by forming a charitable trust. This was accomplished in 1994, when he mobilized all the people living with HIV/AIDS who were receiving his medicine to join him in the struggle of supporting other people affected by the AIDS virus.
In 1995, TASAAGA (Tokamalirawo AIDS Support and Action Group Awareness) was initiated initially with only 10 members who later interested others to join them.

TASAAGA’s vision
The vision behind the formation of the group is;

Empowered orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS with hope of living a healthy and meaningful life.

TASAAGA’s MISSION
To contribute to the process of restoring hope among AIDS affected children, people living with HIV/AIDS and minimizing risk behaviors that further the HIV spread through treatment, counseling, empowerment, community outreach, care and support, research and sensitization in rural areas.
OBJECTIVES
1. To mitigate personal, social and health related impacts of HIV/AIDS in individuals, families and villages.
2. To promote positive attitude towards AIDS affected children, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their families.
3. To promote the growing and use of medicinal plants for treatment of AIDS related infections and income generation in house holds affected by HIV/AIDS.
4. To collaborate and net work with other NGOs and CBO with similar objectives locally and internationally.
5. To lobby and advocate for the interests and rights of people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

PROGRAMMS

Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program
This is a program targeting Orphans and other vulnerable children due to HIV/AIDS and the activities involved are;

1. Identifying homes with orphans and other vulnerable children.
2. Providing basic needs to the needy orphans and vulnerable children (food, clothes, shelter etc)
3. Providing alternative foster care to orphaned children living without adult supervision
4. Sensitizing community based volunteers and caregivers in psychosocial care needs and support for AIDS orphaned children.
5. Providing herbal drugs to children born with HIV for relief of AIDS related infections.
6. Community awareness and campaigns regarding care and support for AIDS orphaned children.
7. Financing of school related expenses to the orphans in schools.
8. Providing scholastic materials to the orphaned children
9. Organizing recreational activities for children.
10. Training out – of school orphans in vocational and life skills for future self-reliance.

All activities in this program are intended to create a favorable environment for the survival, growth, development and participation of orphans and vulnerable children due to HIV/AIDS.

A PLANT FOR LIFE.
With the establishment of a herbal garden in Kiboga village 80 miles from Kampala, TASAAGA also embarked on planting medicinal plants used in treatment of AIDS related infections. This is done to preserve useful species, Sensitizing families on the different types of medicinal plants including ways to grow, harvest, preserve or protect them for medicinal use, food and increasing household income.

HOME BASED CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PLWHAs
This program is targeting people living with HIV/AIDS in communities far away from health centers / hospitals. Activities involved are:-
1. Identifying homes with people living with HIVAIDS.
2. Community mobilization and awareness rising on the need for a supportive environment for PLWHAs.
1. Identifying, selecting and training of community-based volunteers.
2. Planning for tasks for the volunteers and establishment of contacts with the AIDS patients in the community.
3. Provision of home–based care tool kits to volunteers.
4. Support supervision to Community-Based Volunteers.
5. Referrals to health units of patients that need professional/biomedical services.
6. Community members and people living with HIV/AIDS are involved in regular meetings for continuing their participation, support and sustainability of TASAAGA activities.
7. On-going home visit for treatment, nursing care, counseling and health education to households with people living with HIV/AIDS.
8. Supporting Community Based Volunteers’ income generating activities (this act as an incentive).

COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Since its formation, TASAAGA has been involved in community awareness and education on HIV/AIDS through;
• Traditional music, dance and drama.
• Peer education


• Community meetings
• Condom promotion.
• Collection and disseminations of information, education and communication materials.

OTHER PROJECTS
Life Ark Children’s Centre.
This is a centre providing pre-primary education to AIDS affected children from 3-9 years old it is located at Kazo 5 miles from Kampala City. Some Children in this centre have lost their parents to AIDS while others are living with their remaining sick mothers or fathers.

Grace Children’s Centre.
This is a centre providing pre-primary education to AIDS affected children from 3-9 years old it is located at Kiwenda in Wakiso 18 miles from Kampala City. Some Children in this centre have lost their parents to AIDS while others are living with their remaining sick mothers or fathers.

Bernard Royal Children’s Centre.
This is a centre providing primary education to AIDS affected children from 10-13 years old it is located at Maganjo village in Wakiso district 7 miles from Kampala City. Like above some Children in this centre have lost their parents to AIDS while others are living with their remaining sick mothers or fathers.

Glory for Distinction Children’s Centre.
This centre provides secondary education to AIDS affected young people from 14-19 years old it is located at Wattuba village in Wakiso 12 miles from Kampala City. Some Children in this centre have lost their parents to AIDS while others are living with their remaining sick mothers or fathers.

GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE
TASAAGA is operating only in the rural communities of Sese Islands (This is a collection of 84 Islands on Lake Victoria with beautiful forests, birds and beaches), Wakiso district, slums of Kampala and Buliisa (This is adjacent to Budongo forests camping site and Lake Albert National parks and Game reserves).

RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS.
TASAAGA is a voluntary organization and 98% of its staff is volunteers both Ugandans and Non-Ugandans (International volunteers) who apply, are recruited and placed in various projects.

DURATION OF SERVICE
International Volunteers in TASAAGA can apply to serve for a period ranging from 1 month to 2 years (but renewable).


REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER/SERVE
Non-Ugandan (International Volunteers).
1. First, you do not have to possess certificates, diplomas or degrees to volunteer in TASAAGA (Any person of any education background can find space to serve in this Charity).
2. You should be able to speak, read and write the English language.
3. You should be a person who is ready to work with people of different cultural and religious background (TASAAGA is not a religious Charity).
4. You should be able to meet all your travel, health and insurance expenses.
5. You should be able to contribute US$70 for meals and accommodation per week
6. You should be able to work under minimal supervision.

WHO QUALIFIES TO VOLUNTEER/SERVE
1. Teenagers from 15 to 19 years of age are welcome,
2. Adults are welcome (20 years and above).
3. Couples are welcome,
4. Families are welcome,
5. Groups of not above nine (9) people are welcome.
6. Only people with no criminal records are welcome.

AREAS OF SERVICE
People can apply to serve in any of the following areas:-

1. Teaching at TASAAGA children’s centers.
2. Working in TASAAGA’s medicinal plants garden.
3. HIV/AIDS education in villages.
4. HIV/AIDS education in households with AIDS affected people.
5. HIV/AIDS education in Sese Islands
6. Nursing care and counseling for AIDS patients.
7. HIV/AIDS Counseling to young people.
8. Events planning and fundraising.