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ICOCA project

The ICOCA project is run from the Word of Life Ministries Church (Blantyre Christian centre) in Blantyre city centre. ICOCA focuses primarily on home based care for AIDS sufferers and on counselling services to various high risk groups. It runs teams of counsellors who provide basic care to AIDS sufferers by making home visits and providing advice to families.

Education is also a key part of their work. They have a number of programmes which seek through various means (posters, leaflets, talks and drama) to communicate the risks associated with AIDS and those activities which can lead to the spread of the disease.

ICOCA was responsible for identifying and connecting the many community groups around Blantyre providing community support to ill people. As a result there is a working network of approximately 10 home based care providers. They are now in contact with each other and with referring agencies to maximise the efficiency of this support. ICOCA counsellors provide counselling training to health workers

Africa link has been able to sponsor a drama team which has gone out to villages and youth clubs in and around Blantyre to communicate the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS to young people. It presents a powerful message of the risks and provides follow up conversations and information for young people.