Nhlangano AIDS Training, Information and Counselling Centre Programme

Background:
Objective/Purpose
NATICC in collaboration with DFEF  reached a decision to carry out an end of programme evaluation of the four components for the following reasons:
• To assess whether the project implementation was in line with the project design and goals as detailed in the project documents and whether both financial and other resources have been deployed accordingly;
• To assess whether programme targets were accomplished noting factors contributing to achievements and challenges faced by the programme;
•  To asses where programme activities are now in terms of implementation when these are  compared against the needs on the ground?( Is the project  doing the right activities or having the right  approach in  relation to how the challenges look today?); and
• To provide lessons for learning for NATICC in her future work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The objectives of the evaluation are:

•To assess whether the project implementation was in line with the project design and goals as detailed in the project documents and whether both financial and other resources have been deployed accordingly;
•To assess whether programme targets were accomplished noting factors contributing to achievements and those limiting success; and
• To assess where the project is in terms of project implementation when compared against the needs on the ground?
• To provide lessons for learning for NATICC in her future work in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Methodology:
The Evaluation process included a project briefing with NATICC management, project officers, development of evaluation tools, site visits to  interview project beneficiaries, service providers, stakeholders, community leadership and partners. A draft report wasl be prepared and reviewed by the client. Upon receipt of comments from client, a final report was prepared.

Key findings:
Findings
Prevention programme:
achievements:
(i)  there is a decrease in number of people who are getting HIV as the component has increased its outlets by using HTC sites and peer educators in the different communities; 
(ii) there is an increase in the number of condoms distributed and their demand by community members is said to be a sign of increased use of condoms.

Challenges :
 There has been a decrease in the number of peer educators as component has been forced to reduce this group given the lack of funding;

HIV Testing and Counselling programme

The main successes of NATICC/LATICC  are two fold :
(i) being main services providers for HTC services in the most remote areas and addressing populations who are in transit. Respondents noted that clients have so much trust in the work of the centre and feel comfortable using the services. 
(ii) (ii) The availability of HTC services through LATICC (both at the centre and through the mobile VCT) has made a break through in enabling rural community people who did not know of their status and could not access HTC services due to ignorance and distance to know their HIV status. By knowing their status it is said community members are changing risky sexual behaviours and access treatment services. From anecdotal reports there is a reduction in the number of people who are getting new HIV infection
Challenges:
The challenges faced by the HTC component consist the following
- The HTC component lacks resources, particularly to support additional personnel and availability of reliable transport.
- The staff usually find themselves working long hours as they have to go to outreach sites and communities that are in the remote parts of Shiselweni region.

The respondents to the evaluation team asserted with certainty that the current HTC services should be retained if the people of Shiselweni are to be helped in addressing the HIV infection. They further suggested that pre-ART and ART initiation classes should be added as essential services for the  Centres and mobile HTC services. They reckoned that given that the centres and sites are usually the first point that get clients to know their status, then the onus was on the centre to further prepare clients for the ART intervention. It was further suggested that support groups should be established in the communities where HTC services are provided.

Care and Support programme:

Challenges faced by the care and support component relate to relationship between NATICC and the Health Centre as there appear to be some misunderstanding and bad blood between care givers and service providers at the Health Centre which impact on the quality of service to clients referred or accompanied by the care givers.
The component sometimes faces lack of supplies particularly palliative drugs.

NATICC Administration:
The challenges faced by administration since late 2008 include the following :
o Changes in the position of directorship – since the departure of the founding director. The position has had acting directors with the current director servicing the organisation on a part time basis.
o  A number of staff has left the organisation.

Recommendations:

The evaluation guided by the many articulation of stakeholders regarding the future of NATICC  is of the view that closure of NATICC was not desirable as it would not only have a number of bad consequences to the staff and their families but most importantly to the people of Shiselweni region who are reached by NATICC services.

Comments from the organisation, if any: