Raising Hope International Friends is an indigenous local non-profit organisation that started from Pallisa District with its headquarters in Kampala District. RHIF was founded in 2016 by a young enterprising youth Mr Okello Isaac who is committed to improving the living standards of young people, children and more so those affected with sickle cell disease who at times and often would get little or no attention. The objectives of the organization are to promote sickle cell trait counselling and create public awareness of the need to fund scientific and clinical advances in SCD, and promote public awareness of SCD among health care professionals regarding the needs and experiences of families living with sickle cell disease. It aims to engage individuals and families living with sickle cell disease in planning and implementation of complications preventative strategies required to optimize care. Official website

The main objective Sickle Cell Disease Patients Community of Tanzania is to infiltrate the knowledge and raise awareness of sickle cell disease to the society and create a forum to air problems of SCD and share knowledge, skills, solutions and experiences among people living with SCD. The organization provides counselling, support and education to patients suffering from complication associated with sickle cell disease and the society, assisting patient with psychosocial complication, ensuring drug availability and accessibility for management of sickle cell patients. The mission of the organization is to establish an official sickle cell treatment center in Tanzania, decreasing stigmatization and other problems of such kind surrounding sickle cell disease, helping other organizations/institutions working or intended to work in this field, documenting, publishing articles, newsletters, books and other materials and disseminate findings of the scientific researches carried out for the purposes of enhancing awareness and promote education in the areas of its operation.  Official website

Arrey Echi Agor Ndakaw is the Interim Vice Secretary at Africa Sickle Cell Alliance, Africa. She is a sickle cell warrior and a passionate advocate whose advocacy aims at using her personal experiences to demystify sickle cell and to help change the narrative through educative online campaigns and community outreach programs. Her passionate advocacy in sickle cell related matters has over the years, brought her some awards and recognitions. Arrey is also the Founder of Joy2Endure Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing hope to persons living with sickle cell across her native Cameroon and hopes to see this spread to Sub Sahara Africa and the world.  Online profile

Selina Olwanda Ogweno is the Interim President of Africa Sickle Cell Alliance. She is also the Chairperson of Children Sickle Cell Foundation. Her lifetime mission is to setup and build effective responsive teams, safe spaces, accessible, affordable and well equipped comprehensive care facilities across Kenya for children and persons living with sickle cell.  In 2005, Selina joined the Children Sickle Cell Foundation Kenya after discovering that the eldest son was diagnosed to be living with Sickle cell and that the trait was prevalent in both her and husband’s family line. In 2008, she was elected as treasurer and ultimately in 2010 was elected chairperson. Selina rose to the occasion and met many challenges, with aplomb and can now boast of key milestones in the journey whose achievements include formation of both virtual and face to face support groups which have proven to be the best therapy for persons living with sickle cell, their guardians and family members. Online profile

Molyn Chima is the Interim Public Health Officer at Africa Sickle Cell Alliance. She is a Nurse, a Farmer and an Entrepreneur by profession. She is also the Founder & Executive Director of Sickle Cell Anaemia Trust Zimbabwe (SCATZ). Her mission is to manage sickle cell Anaemia through implementing appropriate and sustainable interventions in Zimbabwe. Her goal is make SCATZ the leading organisation for sickle cell and care in Zimbabwe. Online profile

Alieu Badara W. Sambou is the Interim Vice President at Africa Sickle Cell Alliance. He is also the President at The Gambia Sickle Cell Association Banjul Chapter and Vice Principal at Gaye Njorro Skills Academy Brusubi Turntable. His objectives are to educate, learn and support people living with sickle cell disorder and other related illnesses to acquire a decent life with no stigma and segregation. Online profile

Isaac Okello is a Sickle Cell Advocate from Uganda. He is the Founder of Raising Hope International Friends (RHIF) – Sickle Cell Advocacy Organization. He plays a crucial role in designing strategic plan and implementation of the project at RHIF. He has been building a career as a driven Corporate Health Marketer for the last four years. Isaac oversees all Sickle Cell Advocacy and Awareness Programs under RHIF. He supports and contributes immensely to improve quality of life of individuals living with sickle cell disease across the country. He also liaises with community agencies and stakeholders to bring more awareness to this disease. Isaac Okello is passionate and committed to improving the living standards of young people, children and more so those affected with sickle cell disease who at times and often would get little or no attention. Online profile

Anne-Chantal is a Cameroonian communications expert who presently works as a volunteer Communications Officer for the French Federation of Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Patient Associations, Fédé SOS GLOBI. Anne is a sickle cell warrior and likes to spend her time out of work educating families of persons living with SCD and raising awareness on the disease through an active online advocacy campaign. Anne’s motto in life is “do not keep for tomorrow what you can do today”. Her passion focuses on identifying those areas where a change can be made and helping local populations, young people, to empower themselves and to become agents of the change they wish to see in the world. Online profile

If you are already suffering from stress and depression, seek medical attention. Stress and depression are treatable disorders. If you want to prevent burnout, consider turning to the following resources for help with your caregiving: Home Health Services: These agencies provide home health aids and nurses for short-term care, if your loved one is acutely ill. Some agencies provide short-term respite care. Adult Day Care: These programs offer a place for seniors to socialize, engage in a variety of activities, and receive needed medical care and other services. Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Facilities: These institutions sometimes offer short-term respite stays to provide caregivers a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Private Care Aides: These are professionals who specialize in assessing current needs and coordinating care and services. Abstract source

Here Are Some Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Caregiver Burnout: • Find someone you trust -- such as a friend, co-worker, or neighbor -- to talk to about your feelings and frustrations. • Set realistic goals, accept that you may need help with caregiving, and turn to others for help with some tasks. Local organizations or places or worship may provide support groups (either in person or online) for caregivers or family members of those suffering from diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s. These organizations may also provide respite care to allow the caregiver to have time away from the patient. • Take advantage of respite care services. Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers. This can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility. • Be realistic about your loved one's disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Acknowledge that there may come a time when the patient requires nursing services or assisted living outside the family home. • Don't forget about yourself because you're too busy caring for someone else. Set aside time for yourself, even if it's just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity for caregivers.   Abstract source