Mobilizing Ethiopian Idirs: Capitalizing on traditional burial societies to serve the living

Presented by Dr. Dehab Belayat IAC 2010

Background

• Idirs are traditional Ethiopian burial societies that help family members during bereavement

• Most Ethiopian families are involved in Idirs by making monthly contributions and providing practical help to bereaved families

Idir group meeting in family home

Description

• We Stop AIDS is a participatory curriculum developed by CRS for use with adults

• Groups of 20-24 people complete 9 activities, 1 hour each

Description

• Drama, role plays and pictures evoke discussion so literacy is not required

• In-depth discussion stimulates community action against HIV

• CRS has trained over 300 facilitators and reached over 19,000 beneficiaries with We Stop AIDS

We Stop AIDS includes active participation by trainees

Results

An impact evaluation of 521 respondents in 3 countries found these results from We Stop AIDS

• HIV and AIDS are demystifiedHalf of participants in WSA spoke with others about HIV after workshop.

• Stigma and discrimination are reduced98% made at least one change to help those infected or affected by HIV.

Results

• Idir members are reaching out to OVC & PLHIVWSA has been used to mobilize 180 Idirs comprised of 5400 members in five dioceses

• Local solutions are created for local problems95% of groups who participate in WSA make action plans and carry them out

Results: “Sisters Idir”

• Ihitimamchoch, known as Sisters Idir, has broadened their goal to “support all members in health, social & cultural problems”

• The Sisters have doubled their monthly financial contribution

“Sisters’ idir during training

Member of the Sisters Idir with a child she supports

Results: “Sister’s Idir”-2

• Idir members provide food, clothing, shelter, educational and medical support to OVC & PLHIV

• Sisters voluntarily do household visits with OVC and PLHIV

Lessons Learned

Building on existing community assets (e.g., Idirs) creates a sustainable method for community change• Members of Idirs have

built-in team spirit • Developing an action

plan together, builds Idirs’ sense of urgency, trust and efficacy Sisters Idir discussing HIV during a

workshop

Next Steps

• Scale-up possibilities! In a single geographic area, there are 15-20 Idirs which hold the potential of mobilizing 600 people

•Recognize successful Idirs

Next Steps

• Train leaders and members to share their success with other Idirs

• Develop M&E system to capture Idirs’ activities and outreach

• Link Idirs with economic strengthening opportunities

Idirs group discussing action plan after a training workshop

Acknowledgements

• CRS Contributors: – Mayling Simpson-Hebert and the CRS East Africa

Regional Office for the development of We Stop AIDS– Dorothy Brewster-Lee, Chief of Party– Adele Clark, Assistant Program Manager– Mitiku Telilla, Ethiopia ABYProject Manager

• The PEPFAR Track 1 funded Abstinence and Be Faithful program in Ethiopia for piloting We Stop AIDS and innovating its use with Idirs.

Additional Information

To obtain copies of We Stop AIDS stop by the CRS booth for a CD of resources or visithttp://www.crsprogramquality.org.

Copies of a full report on CRS’ mobilization of Idirs is available after this session.

To learn more about the experience of working with Idirs, contact Dehab Belay, dbelay@et.earo.crs.org.

THANK YOU