TCE

The Field Officers are the foot soldiers in the fight against HIV and AIDS carried out in the program “Total Control of the Epidemic” or “TCE”.

1.750 TCE Field Officers and TCE Commanders gathered in Mozambique for the 3 day TCE Field Officer Gathering expressed at the closing of the event that they are on the right track, but there is much more to be done and they are committed to do just that!

This was evident throughout the event with enlightening and uplifting common gatherings for all, concentrated studies and discussion, profound and curious questions from Field Officers and Commanders from one country to their colleagues from other countries and serious answers and encouragement in return, with professional knowledge given by medical doctors, with disciplined camp life, spirited songs and dances.

The Field Officers from many countries proved to be an energetic collective of committed individuals leaving the Gathering ready to do even more fierce battle with the HIV virus and its great effects on people around the world.

The Governor of Maputo Province officially opened the TCE Field Officer Gathering with solidarity messages and commending the TCE program to be a direct answer to the HIV/AIDS question.
The first day of the meeting was marked by introductions to the program and working with TCE tasks that the Gathering was presented to.

The launch of the TCE Book was the main highlight of the Gathering. The TCE Book is a compilation of the TCE experiences during the past 8 years. In features articles about TCE, how Total Control of the Epidemic is gained through the TCE program with its systematic people to people approach, its total coverage, its many activities and its sticking together with the people who are hard hit by the epidemic and in the daily struggle fought by the TCE Field Officers together with the people in their Fields, personal stories, medical information, contributions from professionals and passionate partners in the HIV fight and lots of pictures.
Fields Officers were presented with the book to study and to bring back for use in their further TCE work.

On the second and the third days the Gathering organized in Patrols worked with and discussed experiences in creating Total Control of the Epidemic and they met with 2 doctors and got all their medical questions answered.

The last day also saw a 10 km run or walk. The Field Officer’s red, yellow and blue barrettes mingled. Like petals of flowers they swayed from side to side at fast pace - fighting to win.

Songs brought jubilation and uplifted the fighting spirit. It was clear that everyone was determined to go on with the fight. TCE Field Officers marked that they were part of the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The TCE program is a force in the determined and concerted efforts to bring down the incidences of HIV and the HIV prevalence rates and get every person in control. It is an individual and a collective effort by all.

There is a dire need as the HIV virus moves at a pace that demands fast, determined and systematic interventions such as TCE - Total Control of the Epidemic. The Commanders and the Field Officers expressed that they are on the right track, but there is much more to be done. They are committed to do just that!

TCE Field Officer Gathering took place in Mozambique from July 4th through the 6th and brought together 1,750 TCE Field Officers and TCE Leadership from Angola, China, India, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Field Officers are the foot soldiers in the fight against HIV and AIDS carried out in the program “Total Control of the Epidemic” or “TCE”.
 
TCE is based on the understanding that only the people can liberate themselves from AIDS, the epidemic. TCE is implemented in geographical areas of 100,000 inhabitants and with 50 Field Officers, each responsible for a Field of 2,000 people. The Field Officers are in charge of educating, informing and assisting people in making positive behavior changes. People are mobilized to act, to support each other, and to create a vibrant movement of activity around the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Since its inception in 2000, the TCE program has covered a total 8 million people. In the areas where TCE has been operating, people have been tested, joined support groups, started income generating activities, and most importantly, people have taken a stand not to get infected or not to infect others, if already infected. Thousands of community members have decided to be active in the fight against the AIDS Epidemic.
Currently TCE is being implemented in 66 TCE Areas in Angola, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India and China.

The Federation for Associations connected to the International HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE Movement is an international membership organization, which at present comprises 32 national associations working in 40 countries. The members are all Non Government Organizations, working in the field of international development and cooperation.
HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE members presently operate more than 250 social projects within the areas of basic health, HIV/AIDS, education, agriculture, environment and community development.

For further information, go to http://www.humana.org/