Microfinance in Villafranca: Providing Income and Dignity for People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), Tegulcigapa, Honduras

This paper reviews the ‘Villafranca Area Development Program (ADP) and its microfinance project – one of the first efforts of ‘World Vision Honduras to incorporate HIV and AIDS prevention intervention for children and adults.The paper discusses:

• The problem of HIV/AIDS in Honduras.
• The need amongst youth for basic information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
• The ‘Villafranca Microfinance Project and its following objectives:
  • To strengthen the income generating capacity of adolescent females and mothers living with HIV/AIDS through training and access to microcredit,
  • To strengthen their participation in organized community structures for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.

The paper lists the results and achievements of the project, which include:

• Training of teachers on “sexual and reproductive health”.
• Dissemination of information
  • on HIV/AIDS to 2000 youth,
  • through folklore, dances, theater, etc.
• The strengthening of community organizations in their capacity to prevent AIDS and care for AIDS-infected people.

The paper concludes with the following comments:

• Income generation and micro-enterprise activities for “People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)” need to provide adequate income generation and support.
• They are a good way to increase the social inclusion of population group traditionally excluded from the formal economy.
• Training programs should incorporate pastoral care, psychological encouragement and management skills.
• Linkages between HIV prevention interventions and micro-enterprise interventions promote a comprehensive development approach that nurtures social inclusion.