Negem Lela Ken New (NLK) is an indigenous, not for profit and nongovernmental association which was established in 2005 by 5 HIV positive women. At the time of its’ conception, it served as a meeting group for experience sharing and consolation. The 5-member group did not realise that one day it would become a large organization reaching thousands of women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Though NLK’s primary target is those women living with HIV/AIDS and have very low economic capacity, it also attempts to improve the livelihood of the most marginalized and vulnerable women, who are susceptible to HIV/AIDS, through empowering them economically. Membership The meeting group (now NLK) gained NGO status in 2005 with a membership of 70 infected women, and as of December, 2016, the organisation’s membership is in excess of 3000 members, associate members and 2200 volunteers of which women account for 90%. Strategic Intent VISION: NLK’s vision is to see citizens free from HIV/AIDS and a country where the tragic threat of AIDS is controlled. MISSION: To contribute towards the fight against HIV/AIDS and the realization of the social, economic and health rights of HIV positive and vulnerable women. Goal: To intervene in endeavors to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through the economic empowerment of low income women living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable women’s groups. Operating Structure NLK has a General Assembly which has supreme power over all corporate matters and has 19 members with wide ranging experiences. NLK has a clearly articulated constitution which governs all of it’s’ activities. The Executive Board of Directors formulates the Organisation’s programs, policies and procedures. In turn, the General Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating all day to day operational activities and acting as NLK’s spokesperson. Staff NLK currently has 19 members of staff: one General Manager, one Program Manager, one Finance Head, one Project Coordinator, two Branch Co-ordinators, one Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, two project assistants, one Accountant and one Secretary Cashier. In addition, there are 2200 local volunteers who work along its program on non-monitory Value- and had two are international volunteers (Both left now) Operation Areas The organization operates though a national secretariat in Addis Ababa, and has four branch offices located in Ambo and Sululta Towns of Oromia Regional National States; Shoarobit and Ataye Towns of Amhara Regional National State. Its program intervention in Addis Ababa are majorly in Gulele and Addis Ketema Subcity of Addis Ababa City. But also it implements project in “woredas” of Bole, Akaki kalit, kolife Karaniyo and Yeka Sub City of Addis Ababa City. NLK has three IGA training centers for training all of its program beneficiaries. Collaboration and Networking In line with its objectives, NLK has established strong links and good working collaboration with variety of partners/donors both locally and internationally. These include: Action Aid, VSO, HAPCO, AWDF, SLF, BLF, WL/USAID, Global Fund for women, Global Fund, CSSP, Raising Voices … and Member of PLHIV Networks Thematic Areas and programmatic processes  Emotional and Psychological Recovery  Mutual Support  Food  Income  Healthcare  Home Based Care  Caring for children  Education  Protection from violence  Community Strengthening Coping with crisis:  Immediate survival Needs are meet  Physical and emotional suffering are reduced  Regrouping and Rebuilding:  Individuals’ capacity to manage their lives is enhanced  Grief and trauma are managed  Relationships with community are improved  Self Determination  Individuals take on leadership roles  Linked to services in the community structure  Engagement with Development process Achievements In collaboration with local and international partners, NLK’s program interventions are enabling immediate investments in service delivery to translate, over time, into more substantial, longer terms benefits for the target beneficiaries and the communities. Immediate needs are met to help cope with crisis:  Entry into treatment,  Entry into school,  Adequate nutrition,  Removal from violent situations  Counseling and therapy. Once those needs are met, further investment is made to help the target individual beneficiaries regroup and rebuild, in areas such as:  Income generation,  Medical care, and positive living.  psychological and emotional well-being, and the bonds that connect people – be they nurturing relationships within families, social networks created through child, youth, and women groups, …and CBOs  With this comprehensive support, stability begins to return over time:  Children stay in school,  Positive people stay on treatment,  Families are functioning, and  Small but reliable incomes are being produced.  The target beneficiaries have regained their self-determination and could take active control over their own lives –  children graduate from school and start working,  Women become community leaders, and engage with governments to claim their rights. The program reached between 2008 and March 2017  36256 the targeted HIV/AIDS affected and infected women, children, other vulnerable groups and members of the program community through HIV/AIDS awareness and skills building activities;  5000 low income and HIV Positive women with IGA  1166 women living with HIV/AIDS with palliative care and peer support;  365 grandmothers and OVC households with food support and capital provision to expand existing household businesses;  340 OVC with educational and psychosocial support. Sustainability Towards ensuring growth and sustainability the important work for the needy PLHIV, women, children and other vulnerable groups of the community; NLK has built its own Building laid on 1000m2 plot at Sululta Town near to Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. Under the compassionate support of the SLF/BLF, NLK invested, 113,636 USD or 2, 500,000 ETB for successful completion the Building. The purpose of the building is to create sustainable “safe spaces” for marginalized PLHIV, women, youths and children. The Building serves as one stop shopping for vocational and skill trainings, community Library and resources to improve the economic and psychosocial wellbeing of the target groups.  The center will serve as hubs for the target groups where they come together to gain knowledge, skills and confidence to advance their rights and improve their own wellbeing.  Nonetheless, NLK lacks resources required to furnish its new Building. Unless, will not be able commence, the intended program services for the needy members and community from its new building.  To this end, currently, the NLK team is working devotedly to secure resources from both local and international resource providers in terms of Grant donation, materials comprise of office furniture, machines for vocational and skill training, basic technologies, means of transportation- vehicle…and technical assistances. Our Final Word We would like to request your good organization for possible support of resources that you may think contribute to our ongoing endeavor to get furnished our new building so as to commence the intended program services from the building to the needy PLHIV members and the community. We appreciate ever your entrenched collaboration and solidarity.