Founded in 2002 by Albert and Evelyn Annadie, KAWDA was created with a vision to protect and support vulnerable women and children in Ghana. KAWDA's main focus is now providing support to women and children who are living with HIV/AIDS while also seeking to raise awareness of HIV transmission through education programmes in local and regional schools and regular community meetings. The women and c
hildren, and increasingly men, become members of KAWDA by referral from the hospital when they are tested positive for HIV. Such is the stigma attached to HIV in Ghana that many of them, if not all, feel they cannot share their HIV status with even their closest family members for fear of rejection and persecution. KAWDA therefore serves as an important support network for them. Through regular home visits and monthly meetings, KAWDA provides support to its members by offering advice, psychological and emotional support, and the opportunity to connect with other people affected by HIV/AIDS with whom they can talk freely without fear of persecution or exposure. Through the combined fundraising efforts of local and international volunteers, KAWDA seeks to offer its members a regular donation of essential food supplies and financial support to cover the costs of their life-saving anti-retroviral drugs and the transport to and from the hospital once every month. Another important aspect of KAWDA's work is to provide emergency support to its members. When a member becomes very ill and unable to access the appropriate medical treatment, Albert and Evelyn do whatever they can to care for the person and, in the absence of health insurance, assist financially in covering the cost of any medical bills.
