Russia - Support for HIV-Positive Families

Seventeen-year-old Vera was tested for HIV during her pregnancy. Her partner disappeared when baby Nadegda was born. Nadegda tested negative for HIV but was a weak baby. Vera’s mother had cancer and all three tried to survive on very little money. Vera’s family was isolated from society. She feared condemnation; she had no skills for getting a job. The future was bleak.

Fortunately, Vera became part of Bethany’s program. Through a team effort, Vera was taught how to care for her child and to use her medication. She received counseling and began to plan for her future. She became active in an HIV-mothers support group and other social activities. Vera now has a job, and Nadegda goes to preschool.

Russia is experiencing an AIDS epidemic, and the government has made a number of commitments to address it, according to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). A 2007 United Nations AIDS report noted that the estimated population living in Russia with HIV/AIDS was 940,000, though the true numbers are difficult to determine.

Bethany Social Services (BSS) St. Petersburg, our partner in Russia, has been active since 1996 and was registered as a local non-governmental organization in 1998. In 2008, BSS was given the opportunity to work with families affected by HIV, and the project continues into 2009. It is funded in part by USAID and is being implemented at the Center of Social Assistance to Families and Children of the Krasnogvardeysky District of St. Petersburg.

The objective of the program is to further develop services for families who are affected by HIV and have young children in the home. Presently, the program serves 92 people in 26 families. Thirty-three (33) of the adults are HIV-positive and 2 children have tested positive for HIV.

BSS’s staff coordinates each family’s access to medical, social-psychological, and legal services that help families to:

  • Get on an HIV-treatment schedule.
  • Become educated about the disease and proper childcare.
  • Restore their family connections.
  • Participate in an assessment and receive follow-up services.
  • Receive assistance to plan for the future, so their children can be protected.
Staff work with family members individually and in groups, both at the Center and in individual homes. A family club has also been formed so that families and children can experience support in a fun, social setting.

A second objective of the program is to replicate these services in other districts of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. BSS is providing training and supervision to 12 additional specialists working with HIV-positive families. BSS is also developing and publishing best practices for these services. Both efforts are increasing the capacity of the St. Petersburg social service system to better meet the needs of the HIV-positive family population.

Funding support needed:
Support for 2 families/month:
Food and diapers for 1 baby/month:		$30,000
$500
$60

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