On December 2nd, 2025, the compound of Likii Dispensary was abuzz with a spirit of solidarity and proactive care. The Pastoralist Development Agenda (PDA), in close partnership with the dispensary’s dedicated staff and community health volunteers, marked World AIDS Day with a comprehensive community health event, reinforcing that health is the bedrock of a resilient community.
Under the global theme “Let Communities Lead,” the day was a powerful embodiment of PDA’s community-led approach, focusing on access, education, and stigma reduction for mobile pastoralist populations.
A Day of Action and Awareness
The event provided a one-stop hub for essential health services and knowledge sharing:
Free HIV Testing and Counseling: Confidential testing services were offered, coupled with compassionate counseling. Dozens of community members, including many young adults, took this critical step toward knowing their status in a supportive environment.
Community Dialogue on Stigma: An open forum, led by respected local elders and trained PDA community health champions, addressed the myths and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Personal testimonials highlighted that with proper treatment, people living with HIV can lead full, healthy lives—a powerful message in breaking down social barriers.
Integrated Health Education: Sessions went beyond HIV, covering the crucial links between health and PDA’s other focus areas. Topics included the importance of clean water from our WASH projects in preventing opportunistic infections, and how good nutrition from kitchen garden initiatives supports treatment adherence and overall immunity.
Reaching the Mobile Community
Understanding the mobility of pastoralist lifestyles, the event was strategically timed and promoted through PDA’s existing networks of women’s groups and village elders. Information was shared in local dialects, ensuring clear communication and maximizing reach to those who might not regularly access static health facilities.
The Heart of the Work: Community Health Volunteers
The true heroes of the day were the local Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), many of whom have been trained and supported by PDA. They were on the front lines, guiding their neighbours, providing peer support, and distributing informational materials. Their trusted presence within the community was instrumental in the event’s success, proving that sustainable health change is driven from within.
Looking Forward: Health as a Pillar of Resilience
The World AIDS Day event at Likii Dispensary was more than a single-day activity; it was a demonstration of PDA’s integrated model. Primary Health Support is not an isolated intervention but a vital thread woven into the fabric of our work in livelihoods, education, and women’s empowerment. A healthy community is a productive, learning, and resilient community.
Today we are not just talking about one illness. We are talking about caring for our whole community, body and mind. This is how we build our strength. – community elder
PDA remains committed to supporting our partners in health and empowering communities to lead the way in safeguarding their own well-being.