The current national HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Nigeria is around 3.1% among adults aged 15-49, and with a population of 138 million people, that makes an estimated 2.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS has estimated that Nigeria is one of the top 5 countries most affected by this devastating disease, which makes it a “ground zero” for HIV/AIDS. Imo State is one of the most affected areas in Nigeria, and the Federal Ministry of Health has estimated that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Oguta, the focus of CHISTRE’s work, is an overwhelming 7%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.1%. The main focus of CHISTRE is to address this epidemic in rural areas by concentrating on the development of projects offering prevention services, as well as providing care to orphaned and vulnerable children and providing support to those currently living with HIV/AIDS. Although HIV/AIDS is the primary focus of CHISTRE, it also dedicates a significant amount of resources and time to other sexually transmitted diseases, environmental protection, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation. CHISTRE is constantly collaborating with like-minded organizations in order to further enhance efficacy of programs, as well as the efficiency with which the organization operates. CHISTRE has seen successful results thus far, and its programs have had outstanding results. However, there is a great deal of work that remains to be done. Being a non-profit organization, we rely solely on the selfless work of volunteers and donations from people around the globe. We hope that you will take some time and learn more about CHISTRE, including our current and past projects, recent news, and ways to get involved. The people of Nigeria desperately need your help, and you could make a huge difference in the lives of so many!
