Mother’s Clubs
GHESKIO’s Mother’s Program supports the clinical and psychosocial needs of pregnant women and new mothers. “Mothers Clubs” meet monthly so women can learn safe and appropriate prenatal care skills, receive education on optimal infant nutrition, and access opportunities to share experiences and build a support network. Life-skills training focused on empowerment and self-confidence builds self-esteem and enables women to improve their health and lives. Since implementing the Mothers Clubs and providing antiretroviral therapy prophylaxis, the transmission of HIV from mother to child at GHESKIO has decreased from 15% to ~2%, and instances of infant malnutrition have been cut by up to 50%, resulting in healthy and thriving children. Since 2010, GHESKIO has served more than 2,500 mother-infant pairs. Unfortunately, with about 50% of the population living with food insecurity because of the ongoing political crisis, the percentage of children with moderate and severe malnutrition has markedly increased.
Support for vulnerable women
In 2000, GHESKIO established a crisis hotline and a clinic for survivors of rape, sexual assault or gender-based violence. Women can receive medical care, counseling, family planning and more – always at no charge.
Training for the future with Ateliers83
Of the many programs that GHESKIO provides, the vocational training program is critical to the livelihood and well-being of women who have been abused. GHESKIO provides psychosocial support for suvivors of gender-based violence, rape, and former commercial sex workers. Participants learn vocational skills to build sleek and modern furniture and home accessories. This program contributes not only to the participants’ economic well-being, it builds self-esteem and agency so that women can rely on themselves and provide for their children through entrepreneurial endeavors.
A microcredit program was established focusing on women living with HIV and women who have suffered gender-based violence. Many participants have been able to become financially independent by starting or managing small businesses. To date, GHESKIO, with our partner ACME, has provided over 5,000 microcredit loans to women.
Giving kids a strong start
In 2010, after the devastating earthquake, PRODEV & GHESKIO created a primary school, Ecole Prince Albert II de Commune Monaco, to accommodate orphans, and displaced children of who had taken refuge on GHESKIO’s downtown Port-au-Prince campus and those whose schools were destroyed by the earthquake.
Today, the primary school provides education to 350 students who would otherwise not have access to school. Students receive a robust education, daily hot meals and medical care including immunizations.
The school has been highly successful, with almost 100% of the students passing standardized testing The school has scored well in the top percentile nationally. GHESKIO also provides roughly 1,800 scholarships to other schools and universities.
GHESKIO operates a youth clinic that delivers care tailored to young people. GHESKIO’s Adolescent Program, the only one in the country, is an instructor and peer-led program. Young people are at particular risk for HIV, STIs and early pregnancy due to high-risk behaviors, lack of education, lack of role models and poverty. GHESKIO created the Adolescent Program to provide a safe space for adolescents to learn about sexual reproductive health, disease prevention and family planning. Pregnant adolescents are given education on perinatal care, and those who are HIV-positive are referred to the program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other STIs, such as syphilis.