Our Services & Programs
Walking With Children accomplishes our Mission of improving the lives of Honduran children living with HIV/AIDS through eight important programs:
Nutrition Program — At Walking With Children, every child's diet plan is carefully established and monitored to ensure compatibility with their medications and state of health. Each child receives well-balanced meals include added protein to prevent or slow the emaciating that often accompanies an AIDS diagnosis. Important vitamins and minerals are also supplemented into each diet to enhance immune systems.
We also regularly monitor each child's growth and development, tracking their progress while evaluating their response to both medicine and nutrition.
Medical Program — A holistic-health approach serves as our foundation these children living with the HIV/AIDS disease. All aspects of the program are developed, managed and administered by nationally recognized nurse.
She provides round-the-clock health monitoring and treatment, including access to emergency medical care and prescribed HIV/AIDS therapies. Typical care regimes include the prescription of medicines, the evaluation of disease progression by qualified medial and mental health professionals.
Every member of our care team brings a different level of care and expertise to each child's battle for life. Their care team may include many or all of the following:
- On-site HIV/AIDS nurse
- Local hospital multi-specialty care team
- Physicians and nurses
- Psychologists
- Doctors of Pharmacy
- Social workers
- Doctors of Laboratory
Antiretroviral Therapy — This special HIV/AIDS drug therapy program is provided to Walking With Children by the Honduran government. It is our most powerful tool in controlling the progress of the disease. It improves a child's quality of life without the visible and painfully debilitating symptoms and their related social stigmas.
Direct Care Program — We also direct a system of around-the-clock childcare that maintains a hands-on approach to teach each child to recognize, experience and express love, honor and dignity.
Each care provider is certified through our thorough and rigorous educational program. Additionally, qualified and screened care providers must offer a low child-to-provider ratio in addition to a family style environment where workers are lovingly referred to as "aunts and uncles."
These providers have a variety of responsibilities, including:
- Personal care
- Feeding
- Administering medicine
- Observing and reporting health and attitude changes
- Helping with Schoolwork
- Facilitating age appropriate activities
- Mentoring, guidance, discipline
Education Program — Our educational program maps a path for each child from pre-school to college. Wherever possible, we prefer the private schooling of these children to shield them from the negative perceptions, stigma and discrimination that exist against HIV/AIDS sufferers throughout the local culture.
For children that suffer some social or mental setbacks as a result of their disease, this program provides additional therapy services and life work skills through a multi-discipline medical team to get each child back on track.
Psychological Program — After an initial psychological screening and evaluation, children can receive any needed therapy through our psychological program. Each child's psychological program features a family-style environment that provides consistent, relevant and personal support. In this setting, each child will learn to understand, accept and cope with the many complex issues related to living with their disease. This support system teaches vital life lessons that provide safety and stability, while helping the child establish personal boundaries and a healthy mental outlook.
As a result of this program, these children feel loved, respected, valued, accepted and comfortable in playing an active role in everyday family life in preparation for a successful future.
Spiritual Program — Children receive the freedom and support to choose a spiritual element to help them in the daily battle with this life threatening disease. At Walking With Children, we offer a broad, spiritual base where children can grow their personal faith and define their own spiritual path. This program does not advocate a single faith but instead provides opportunities for children to experience a broad range of spiritual expressions, including (but not limited to) Protestant, Evangelical and Catholic denominations. A spiritual adviser is available for confidential discussions and advice to help them answer questions and assist them in their spiritual journey.
Providing a Childhood
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Walking With Children Newsletter
View our latest newsletter and learn more about Walking With Children!
Day in the Life...
“I have every hope that Miguel will continue to develop into the young man he is destined to be.”
Chris Frederick, Walking With Children Founder [more]
Learn about Miguel’s life at Walking With Children [more]
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