Applying and Validating the Autodidactic Learning for Sustainability Methodology to HIV/AIDS

Summary

HIV/AIDS is affecting all aspects of community life, health, socio-economics & natural resources. The first testing of the Autodidactic Learning for Sustainability (ALS) methodology in the domain of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, showed that this inter-sectoral approach has much potential in addressing the problems as they com-munities perceive and live them and hence is of great value for sustainable de-velopment. Very often reliable data does not exist on HIV/AIDS, particularly its effects on socio-economic status and natural resources.
This TT has applied and validated the ALS methodology in urban and a rural syndrome contexts, and also in different cultural and social settings: 1) in Likii village, a slum in Nanyuki town, a medium sized urban centre in a rural area of Kenya in East Africa; 2) in Yamassoukro, a slum in Abidjan, a metropolis of 3 million in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa; and 3) in Fulwe, a rural village near Morogoro in Tanzania. Participants found the ALS guidelines useful to examine HIV/AIDS in their particular cultural, social and economic context. The methodol-ogy empowers them to examine HIV/AIDS as an affliction affecting all aspects of community life: health, socio-economics and the use and management of natural resources. It also guides them in exploring pathways of mitigation including the prevention and treatment of the disease and ways of living with the disease.

Full report available as pdf.