Introduction

The National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK) is an NGO that unites support groups of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and individual PLWHAs into a national and formidable force to counter the impact of HIV/AIDS on their lives and that of their loved ones in Kenya.

It was established in 2003 and is nationally recognized as the official organization of PLHA and is therefore ready to take on its focused responsibilities of promoting quality life for PLHA NEPHAK has developed a strategic plan that currently serves as a guide to implementation of its stated objectives.

NEPHAK is a non-profit making, voluntary body, by and for PLWHAs. Its formation is in response to the growing need to harness existing individual and organizational PLWHA efforts in Kenya to respond meaningfully to the impact of HIV/AIDS.

NEPHAK seeks to highlight the important contribution people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS have made and continue to make in response to the epidemic and subscribes to the Paris 1994 principle of Greater Involvement of People Living with or Affected by HIV/AIDS (GIPA). 

The Vision

The vision of NEPHAK is to see a nation where PLWHA are in the frontline in the fight against HIV/AIDS and where their rights are recognized and respected to support their meaningful involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support towards an AIDS free society.

Our Mission

The mission of NEPHAK is to promote greater involvement of PLWHA at all levels of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support in Kenya.

NEPHAK'S Overall Goal

The overall goal of NEPHAK is to work to improve the quality of life of PLWHA through co-ordination of PLWHA activities in Kenya;

Be the voice of PLWHA; harness the extraordinary and powerful role played by PLWHA towards an enhanced response to the epidemic in Kenya.

NEPHAK Purpose

To increase the capacity of PLWHA in Kenya to participate meaningfully in the delivery of prevention, care and mitigate social economic consequences and participate in decision-making processes as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned.

General Objectives.

• Consolidating the union of PLWHA, groups from the grassroot (community) to national level.
• Source for and distribute quality counselling and home-based care and community education through PLWHA and those affected.
• Enhance more influence on behavioural change through direct relationships with individuals in the grass root community including role modelling
• Participate in information/policies development and disseminate all relevant information to members and the community
• Promote advocacy and maintain a gender balance in community development participation and empowerment as a way of addressing the prevailing sexual bias against women.
• Carry out networking amongst NEPHAK members.
• Support members in the implementation of policies developed that are touching directly on PLWHA's
• Participate fully in access, treatment and care associated with PLWHA’s and orphans

NEPHAK is one of the key partners in the national response to HIV and AIDS in Kenya.

NEPHAK'S Operating Principles.

i)    Accountability. 
Programmes and costs are planned and reviewed carefully to ensure effective use of NEPHAK resources and the highest return to those served. Independent audits are carried out annually, and evaluations of programmes are built mechanisms to verify the improvement in people’s lives.

ii)   Human Dignity. 
NEPHAK respects the dignity of those with whom it works and serves. NEPHAK is particularly concerned that the dignity of people living with HIV and AIDS is respected and upheld. NEPHAK pays special attention to women and children, who are most frequently exploited, abused and subjected to immense suffering.

Personnel Policy.

NEPHAK desires members and staff who are skilled, compassionate and committed to its vision and mission.

NEPHAK'S Achievements to date. 
NEPHAK has been in operation effectively for the last two and a half years. Within this short span of time, the Network has witnessed a tremendous increase in terms of membership but also in the scope of its activities activated certainly by its clear visionary leadership.

Today NEPHAK has become a bona fide national coordination mechanism and a true voice for PLWHAs in Kenya. It is currently designed as a grassroots movement comprising men and women in touch with and actually responding to the reality of the impact of HIV on individual families and communities. NEPHAK has representatives from all the 9 regions/provinces in the country elected at the last delegates’ conference held in September 2004.

NEPHAK’s greatest success to date lies in its strengths and ability to mobilize delegates throughout the country through the National Conference that took place in September 2004. The conference brought high visibility to the Network and restored donor confidence in the PLWHA movement in Kenya including the government through NACC.

NEPHAK has made tremendous steps over the past one year with a lot of confidence from members and partners. Some of the core activities achieved by NEPHAK include:

• Strengthening of the Secretariat and recruitment of staff
• The National Delegates conference
• National mobilization of PLWHA targeting provinces, districts and communities all over Kenya
• Networking, partnership and fundraising for organizational support
• Advocacy and popularisation of the Network to enhance visibility
• Training of local Ambassadors of Hope to act as role models for prevention care and support and to enhance the development of support groups for PLWHAs at all levels
• Successful, transparent and democratic election of Board members to serve NEPHAK for 2 years in line with its constitution
• NEPHAK input into the Global Fund Handbook highlighting how PLWHAs can be involved in national CCMs
• Development of a four year strategic plan 2005-2008
• Was a key player in G8 HIV/AIDS launch campaign sponsored by Action-Aid Kenya
• Development of a Draft Personnel Manual
• Establishment of a decentralized regional secretariat in South Rift  Region
• Full involvement in Home and Community Support Services funded by USAID-Policy Project, Kenya

The Board/NCR

The Secretariat

NEPHAK has is run by a fully functional secretariat with 12 permanent staff. They are: