HIV/AIDS funding in 2008: $428,213Tel.: +593 22 556 750
The economic crisis that Ecuador has been experiencing since 1999 has
resulted in a dramatic increase in the levels of poverty throughout the
country. Hardest hit by this crisis are communities already vulnerable
to HIV infection, such as sex workers, migrants and men who have sex
with men (MSM). The government has reduced funding for public health,
thereby leaving many people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) unable to
afford adequate nutrition, medical attention and medications.
Partly
in response to this growing crisis, Corporación KIMIRINA was founded in
late 1999 to help address the needs of PLWHA and expand HIV/AIDS
awareness and prevention efforts across the country. Unique among many
funders in the country, KIMIRINA approaches its work from a human
rights perspective with a focus on gender equality.
A registered
not-for-profit charity, Corporación KIMIRINA sponsors fundraising
events and receives funds for re-granting to local organizations.
During the past several years KIMIRINA has partnered with over 30
non-governmental and community-based organizations in 12 of Ecuador’s
22 provinces, providing technical support and financial assistance to
build organizational capacity to address a range of advocacy, policy
and service issues.
In partnership with the International
HIV/AIDS Alliance, KIMIRINA developed the Frontiers Prevention Project
(FPP), which was implemented in six cities within Ecuador. The target
populations included MSM, transgendered individuals, sex workers, and
PLWHA. Working with dozens of local grassroots public and private
partners, KIMIRINA provided organizational and programmatic technical
support to increase counseling and HIV testing services. In addition,
it trained partner organizations to advocate with local and national
decision-makers for expanded rights and access to services. One
significant result of these efforts was the inclusion of sex workers in
a national program providing free HIV and STI testing services.
KIMIRINA
has supported many projects to raise awareness and community
involvement in HIV prevention. In collaboration with local and regional
governments it supported training activities for municipal employees,
utilized innovative theatre and artistic techniques with teenagers in
public and private schools, and increased awareness and prevention
education with indigenous and Afro–Ecuadorian organizations.
Currently,
KIMIRINA is supporting the development of a program for the Empowerment
of Women Living with HIV/AIDS. Workshops, training of peer educators
and a campaign on women and HIV/AIDS are components of this program
targeting the cities of Quito and Guayaquil. The project will also
empower women to lobby local and national decision-makers for a
broader, more holistic response to HIV and AIDS, emphasizing the
importance of sustainable public policy advocacy.
KIMIRINA has
effectively built the capacity of NGOs, CBOs and government entities to
address issues of sexual and reproductive human rights, awareness and
prevention of HIV/AIDS. Its work has been supported by foundations,
corporations, and multi/bilateral organizations. Through community
mobilization initiatives, public policy advocacy strategies and
expansive social dialogue, Corporación KIMIRINA has made an important
impact on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and services in Ecuador.