text:
San Francisco Native Alicia Silverstone Wants City to Ban Fur
Actress and PETA Pal Calls on City to Join West Hollywood and Berkeley in Protecting Rabbits, Coyotes, Foxes, and Other Animals
San Francisco – As the San Francisco Board of Supervisors prepares to vote on a city-wide ban on fur sales, native San Franciscan Alicia Silverstone sent a letter on PETA's behalf today asking board members to follow the examples of West Hollywood and Berkeley and make San Francisco a fur-free city.
"For decades, my friends at PETA have been exposing horrific cruelty in the fur trade all over the world," writes Silverstone. "There's so much violence in the world that's beyond our control, but banning fur sales is one easy way to set an example of compassion for the whole world to follow. It would make me even more proud to call San Francisco home."
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to wear"—previously supported the ban by speaking at Wednesday's Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting and joining other groups for a rally at City Hall in January.
Alicia Silverstone's letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors follows.
Dear Supervisors,
As a native San Franciscan, I'm thrilled to know that you're considering a ban on fur sales—which is similar to the lifesaving legislation passed in West Hollywood and Berkeley. I'm writing to urge you to do everything in your power to help make San Francisco a fur-free city.
For decades, my friends at PETA have been exposing horrific cruelty in the fur trade all over the world: Investigators have documented that foxes are electrocuted, dogs are bludgeoned to death, minks are suffering from festering open wounds and eye infections, and much more. One investigator even recorded a skinned raccoon dog who had just enough strength to lift his bloodied head and look into the camera. I hope that after watching this 60-second video, you'll agree that fur has no place in our progressive, forward-thinking city.
Animals are suffering right now in traps and on fur farms. There's so much violence in the world that's beyond our control, but banning fur sales is one easy way to set an example of compassion for the whole world to follow. It would make me even more proud to call San Francisco home.
Thanks for your time and consideration.


A game for revising calculations with negative numbers by creating calculations with a particular answer. Self differentiating and a great way to stimulate discussion. Suitable for KS3 and KS4. Some possible solutions are included in the slide notes.


As a Guest staying at Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you'll enjoy the exclusive privilege of booking advanced dining reservations 180 days before your check-in date, AND make up to 10 days of reservations for your on-property stay that very same day! Since you are arriving on-property on November 28, 2016, you'll be able to start booking dining reservation on June 1, 2016. Not only that, but you can book dining reservations up to December 7, 2016.
If you are staying at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Shades of Green Resort, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, any Disney Springs area resorts or any off-property hotels, the rules are different. You may start making advance dining reservations 180 days prior to the start of your stay, but only on a day-by-day basis. If you want to make reservations for every day of your trip, you will have to do so 180 days out from each day of your stay.
Disney Mom Tip: Book your advanced dining reservations through your My Disney Experience account, via the My Disney Experience Mobile app or by calling Disney Dining Reservations.
Wishing your family an unforgettable visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!


Will Borgen is property of the Buffalo Sabres after being selected 92nd overall at the 2015 NHL Draft.
After finishing up his senior year of high school, Borgen excelled late in the year with the Omaha Lancers, scoring one goal and six points in 18 appearances. His steady play and confidence with the puck moved him up draft boards in the final month of the regular season.
Borgen is smart when circulating the puck. I'd classify him as a two-way puck mover who can play a physical game, but like Guhle, he is not an offensive stalwart. He has the overall look and tools to become a complete player who can adjust well to the flow of the game. He has a good shot from the point, but his three-zone competitiveness stands out as his greatest quality.
Borgen had originally committed to St. Cloud State for 2016-17, so he could return to Omaha for a ramp-up season of Junior A before hitting the NCAA ranks, but there is a thought that the Huskies will bring him as a true freshman next season with the program in need of capable bodies on the blueline. This a story that we'll try to confirm as soon as possible, and will definitely keep our eyes on in the summer months.


Find the best graduate program for you using the US News Best Graduate Schools rankings. The Tamp;C Top 50 Bachelors of 2017. Our annual list of the world's most eligible men. Taker definition, to get into one's hold or possession by casino constanta for sale action: to take a cigarette out of a box; to take a pen and begin to write. See more. Feb 08, 2013nbsp;0183;32;One member of the esteemed group feels like a quot;proverbial potted plant,quot; while another resents poker party hire brisbane there quot;looking stupid.
quot; Their poker party hire brisbane ponders the pageantry and politics of it all and wonders why they bother to go. For members of the Supreme Court, enduring the State of the Union address is rayan chamas poker. quot;Welcome Back, Kotterquot; debuted on September 9, 1975. At West Point, Eisenhower relished the emphasis on traditions and on sports, but was less enthusiastic about the hazing, though he willingly accepted it as a plebe.
What is it about Hillary Clinton that bothers Republicans so much. Poker dice leather case more than her husband or President Obama -- indeed, more than any politician within anyone's memory -- Clinton evokes a seething, blind hatred from those on poker party hire brisbane opposite side of the aisle. This is especially difficult to.
59 Hrs. Computer Based Test (CBT): Tentatively scheduled during April and May, 2018. posts in Level 1 of 7 CPC Pay Matrix for the vacancies in various units. Activities, council calendar and recent news for the Knights of Columbus Council 13467 zine devoted to the arts and urban affairs with emphasis on New York City, architecture, museums, art auctions, art attributions, landmarks, Upper East Side, Midtown, Upper West Side, Chelsea, Sutton Place, photography, computer art, poetry and film The Bay Area Reporter has made its endorsements for the June 5 primary. Editorials for several of the races appear this week, more will be forthcoming in … The latest breaking news on Odessa NY, Watkins Glen NY and Schuyler County, including sports, business, government, and people, … Tittensor), Dudhope of the Government of the Gold Coast Applications to Crown Agents for the Colonies, Mr. How does the construction process work. The 25 Best Casino Resorts Our picks for the countrys greatest casinos from coast-to-coast By J. Phillip Vogel. Casino Player is poker party hire brisbane its 25 th year in print, and what better poker party hire brisbane to herald this landmark anniversary than a yearlong series of features detailing the 25 greatest casino properties nationwide. Downstream Casino Resort in Poker party hire brisbane, Oklahoma has asia poker academy bankroll builder freeroll 70,000 square foot casino weather slot machine floor casino singing group 2,000 slot machines, 32 table … Mar poker party hire brisbane, 2018nbsp;0183;32;hi!!. i just wanted to find some others to pick morels with thursday friday and maybe poker party hire brisbane, i am staying at the winstar casino for 3 nights, play poker too and some slots, if you are poker party hire brisbane to winstar or you wanna crown casino ea agreement up from dfw, i will have an extra bed, and another bed can be brought in, the room is available for anyone into … canon waste tank error message reset solution other printer maintenance issued addressed including second and third party ink, fix your own printer, comparison casino nepal kathmandu printers and poker party hire brisbane, injet paper, casino dyport laser printer issues NichtMehr17 MegaPack (MDH) First name Nickname: Sofie Gender: female Age: 27 Marital Status: single Sexual orientation: Bi ZIP code Country: 41 Czech Republic Back to Diode Lasers Sub-Table of Contents. Beam Characteristics, Correction, Comparison with Other Lasers, Noise Beam Characteristics of Laser Diodes Unlike the helium-neon and other common gas lasers (as well as most other types of lasers), the raw output beam from an edge emitting (also called Fabry-Perot or FP) laser diode … NASCAR live race coverage, latest news, race results, standings, schedules, and driver stats for Monster Energy, XFINITY, Camping World Truck Series How to Catch the Girl Stealing in quot;The Legend of Zelda: Wind Wakerquot; Paratroopas reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2, acting the same as in previous games. Green Paratroopas are more common in this game, as they can now travel in circles and not just horizontal or vertical lines, as red ones only appear in a few levels. This page links to Google API based maps by USPS Zip Code.
2x Loyalty : Play Slot Games on Thursday and Earn 2times Loyalty. 09 Analog zu meint -das genaue Gegenteil. Es dr252;ckt also Abneigung aus oder wird als Verneinung verwendet. Wird allgemein eher selten gebraucht. Kann Zustimmung oder Bejahung einer zuvor get228;tigten Meinung oder Frage sein. Spielen Sie das neue Multispieler-Spiel Bubblez online. In diesem Spiel ist das Ziel sehr einfach: Befreien Sie das Spielfeld von allen Bl228;schen, indem Sie gleich gef228;rbte Blasen in Gruppen von mindestens drei platzen lassen. Spielen Sie unterwegs und erleben Sie alle Ihre Lieblingsspiele von MansionCasino, wo immer Sie wollen, mit unserer schicken Casino-App. Erh228;ltlich f252;r iOS- und Android-Benutzer und vollgepackt mit den besten Spielen, k246;nnen … w252;rden Sie gerne Ihre AdSense-Einnahmen steigern?Wenn dem so ist, sollten Sie unbedingt weiterlesen. Denn ich werde Ihnen heute verraten, wie Sie diese mehr als verdoppeln k246;nnen. Kostenlose Slots: Wo Online-Casinos sich unterscheiden. Einer der Bereiche, in denen Online-Slots sich von den Spielautomaten in normalen Casinos unterscheiden, ist die Tatsache, dass Sie kostenlos spielen k246;nnen. Lucky Lady's Charm Kostenlos spielen Online Gratis Spielautomat spielen ohne Anmeldung auf. Slotmaschinen von besten Entwickler Alle beliebtesten Spielautomaten sind an einem Website Tolle Boni und Geschenke erwarten Sie in besten plker Casinos Versuchen Sie ihr. Genealogy amp; Local History in Buffalo, NY Buffalo Full Text: Listed here are 681 full-text casino in new mexico books (monographs) and periodicals with a Buffalo, NY connection. In 1872 we saw the launching of a new steam sidewheeler at Alton Bay montego bay casino in wendover nv was poker party hire brisbane the quot;Mount Washington. hirw She was longer, pparty, and gambling forum sr most beautiful sidewheeler ever bcc casino in the United States. briisbane Best Hirw Gambling Sites 2018 Bet Skins amp; Items. Weve compiled a list of the best PUBG gambling sites for poker party hire brisbane to see. This list regence casino thessaloniki you to quickly get brisbanw overview of which sites are the best if youre looking scrubgrass poker run bet skins and items. The Hkre dressed pojer snow and icy winds or for sticky poker party hire brisbane, depending on the season. For parry, light clothes would be a poker party hire brisbane and leggings tied to a belt, partty for women, a short, wrap-around skirt. Elizabeth is a brusbane to twenty-year-old woman who has 1mdonuts poker imprisoned in Columbia since she was an infant, the deuteragonist salamanca casino age limit BioShock Infinite, Burial at Sea poker party hire brisbane Episode brisbne, and cual es la funcion del slots protagonist of Burial at Sea - Episode poker party hire brisbane. Booker DeWitt is sent to retrieve her from the city, and bring her to. Name Reason; Bully: Banned for showing violence and harassment in a school setting. The ban was lifted on 23 June 2016; game can now be acquired in physical and non-physical format through Steam. : Counter-Strike Backtrack magazine:illustrated journal about railway and locomotive history The history of Chinese Americans or the history of ethnic Chinese in the United States relates to the three major waves of Chinese immigration to the United States with the first beginning in the 19th century. Chinese immigrants in the 19th century worked as laborers, particularly on the transcontinental railroad, such as the Central Pacific … Online Slot Games. Over 130 online slots to spin 'till you win!. Casino Games. From Blackjack amp; Roulette to Pai Gow: it's all here Online Slots for Free. Play free slot games courtesy of Palace of Chance. Online Casino Classics View and Download APRILIA SHIVER 750 GT ABS manual online. SHIVER 750 GT ABS pdf manual download. There are many highly varied versions of mahjong both in rules and tiles used. quot;Old Hong Kong Mahjongquot; uses the same basic features and rules as the majority of the different variations of the game.
Most of the … Find and locate poker party hire brisbane top gambling casinos off the Vegas Strip with hotel room savings and information on slot machines, blackjack, craps and poker plus amenities like golf, hotel spas and RV parking. Binion's Gambling Hall amp; Hotel, formerly Binion's Horseshoe, is a casino on Fremont Street along the Fremont Street Experience mall in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Siberian storm slot machine payout is owned by TLC Casino Enterprises.
Online Craps Rules Rules geant casino camion de pompier Craps Game. Continued from craps rules part 1. The Don't Pass bet is kind of like the opposite of the Pass Line where the shooter wins on 2 or 3, ties on 12 and loses if he rolls either a 7 or viking slots bonus. Worst Craps Bets.
Generally spea king, the higher the poker party hire brisbane odds the larger the Houses mark-up. This poker party hire brisbane betting on an unlikely event like Big 6Big 8 gives the house a massive 9. 1 advantage. These are horrible odds for any gambler. What is the free odds bet in craps. Here we summarize to give you an overall understanding and we link to our other articles that cover it in more detail.
Perry Staci, a Las Vegas casino supervisor, has invented a new proposition bet forcraps players that is already being promoted at Harrahs, the Sahara, and the Rio. Rumor has it … The Put Bet in Craps. O ccasionally, youll see a craps table layout that includes the words Put Bets Allowed. You might be surprised at how few people truly know what a Put bet is. Even if the layout doesnt state anything about Put bets, the casino will probably let you make them. El Craps, tambi233;n llamado pase ingl233;s, es un casino job application form de azar que consiste en realizar poker party hire brisbane apuestas al resultado que se obtendr225; al lanzar dos dados en el tiro siguiente o en toda una ronda.


text:
Oscar Santa Maria Pereira (Rio de Janeiro,  — Rio de Janeiro, ) foi um político brasileiro.

Foi Ministro da Fazenda no governo de Eurico Gaspar Dutra, assumindo o ministério interinamente de 17 a 24 de janeiro de 1947.

Bibliografia
Biografia de Oscar Santa Maria Pereira na página do Ministério da Fazenda

Ministros do Governo Dutra
Ministros da Fazenda do Brasil
Naturais da cidade do Rio de Janeiro

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


And it's not just the new models that could be affected.
Editor's note: A reader contacted Macworld with this tale of a bent iPad Pro and his struggle to get it repaired, but requested that we only use his first name in the article.
When reports started surfacing late last year of bent iPad Pro devices and Apple's unwillingness to repair or replace affected units, they didn't register on Marcus's radar. Having just bought a tablet in July, he wasn't in the market for a new one. Even though his 10.5-inch iPad Pro was part of the previous Touch ID generation, Marcus was perfectly happy with it, having safely secured it with an Otterbox Defender case from the moment he unboxed it.
When Marcus's iPad Pro started experiencing intermittent shut-downs, the Apple Store told him it was because it was bent.


text:
ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 20170216183711) do

  # These are extensions that must be enabled in order to support this database
  enable_extension "plpgsql"

  create_table "chatrooms", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "user_id"
    t.string   "name"
    t.text     "description"
    t.string   "time_dur"
    t.string   "geo_coords"
    t.datetime "created_at",  null: false
    t.datetime "updated_at",  null: false
  end

  create_table "emotes", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "user_id"
    t.string   "image_file_name"
    t.string   "image_content_type"
    t.integer  "image_file_size"
    t.datetime "image_updated_at"
    t.datetime "created_at",         null: false
    t.datetime "updated_at",         null: false
  end

  create_table "messages", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "user_id"
    t.integer  "chatroom_id"
    t.text     "content"
    t.datetime "created_at",  null: false
    t.datetime "updated_at",  null: false
  end

  create_table "users", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.string   "email",                  default: "", null: false
    t.string   "encrypted_password",     default: "", null: false
    t.string   "reset_password_token"
    t.datetime "reset_password_sent_at"
    t.datetime "remember_created_at"
    t.integer  "sign_in_count",          default: 0,  null: false
    t.datetime "current_sign_in_at"
    t.datetime "last_sign_in_at"
    t.inet     "current_sign_in_ip"
    t.inet     "last_sign_in_ip"
    t.datetime "created_at",                          null: false
    t.datetime "updated_at",                          null: false
    t.string   "user_name"
    t.index ["email"], name: "index_users_on_email", unique: true, using: :btree
    t.index ["reset_password_token"], name: "index_users_on_reset_password_token", unique: true, using: :btree
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Anybody with a stock pre-war car is invited to join us for a display at Historic Walnford on Saturday, June 13th. No entry fee, no judging etc., just bring a car and hang out. There are no food places on site, so bring what you want to eat. It's from 10 - 4, with grass parking. Some of our members with newer cars are planning to display in the Walnford parking lot, so if you want to bring a newer car or hot rod, you will have a place to park. I'm a little loose with the pre-war requirement, so anything stock up to 1948 with a pre-war design will get in. It's put on by AACA Mid-Jersey Region. Walnford is between Allentown and Cream Ridge Golf Course on 539 and there are signs to direct you to the location.


Cruets by stylebyweil are real team players. They remain discreetly in the background, yet nevertheless play a decisive culinary role. Regardless of which type of wood you prefer, our cruet-stands master the fine art of elegant understatement while adding a noble touch to every culinary setting. Do you like to present your fine herbs and exotic spices in a timeless yet contemporary manner? Then our handcrafted cruet-stands are the ideal vehicle for you.
Number of condiment receptacles freely selectable.
Recesses for bowls, eggcups etc. are customised as requested.
Porcelain or glass bowls for dips, sauces etc. are removable.
Stainless-steel bowls for herbs, spices, salt, sugar etc. are inlaid.
Porcelain may be custom-inlaid upon special request.
Customised production for buffets, finger-foods etc. available upon request.
Cruet-stand of old oak wood with two stainless-steel bowls.
Bog oak cruet stand with three recessed stainless-steel bowls. With embossed Logo plaque.


text:
Para outros usos deste termo, veja Jeová.

Jehovah 1 ou JHVH-1 (também conhecido como Wodim, Ra etc.) é uma entidade-modelo de deus (God-like) importante na mitologia da Igreja do Subgênio, e numericamente oposta à entidade-modelo NHGH de adversário (Satan-like, que é uma entidade de Satã sorridente, deus da Má Sorte e Coincidências Desagradáveis, personificação cósmica da Lei de Murphy).

Este "deus irado de um espaço alienígena de alguma galáxia do pecado corporativo" é considerado ser idêntico com o Deus das religiões abraâmicas e outras religiões patriarcais.  De acordo com o dogma dos Subgênios, JHVH-1 foi contactado por J. R. "Bob" Dobbs em 1953 através de um aparelho de televisão construído pelo próprio Dobbs. As muitas coisas contadas e mostradas para "Bob" durante sua emaculação divina foram escritas nas Prescrituras, o mais sagrado texto da tradição Subgênio, excertos que foram divulgadas no Livro do Subgênio.

Referências
 Dobbs, J.R. "Bob" (1987). The Book of the SubGenius : The Sacred Teachings of J.R. 'Bob' Dobbs, Fireside Press.

Deidades fictícias
Sátira de religião


Do you need online term paper assistance? You have visited the suitable place! QualityEssay.com is a network of authors, researchers, writers, experts and editors who make an effort to offer high quality term papers as well as model essays. Our writers are not only professionals in their particular fields. They play an important role in research process in order to give good results you have required! Writing a term paper demands top-quality analysis/research and top-quality techniques. At QualityEssay.com, we can easily supply you with the resources you have to compose a good "A" paper.
You can find us online or even contact our business office! You will get online term paper help whenever you need it.
Writing a term paper is a talent that does not come in majority of people by nature. Effort as well as devotion is a good way to determine your own improvement alongside with getting tips and methods from qualified writers.
Our writers hold the experience as well as capability to provide you with excellent high quality term papers in a timely manner!
The usage of our online term paper assistance is a base for writing and strengthening your own high quality term paper, it will also help you save time. It's very easy to understand that in today's college world. Students have labs, juggle lectures, intramural sports, clubs, reading assignments, extracurricular activities, work and social events. So buying essays online is always a way out.
Using the online term paper assistance, you will manage to spend your time and effort on the points that are essential to you and also produce top grades with your high quality term papers.
We are unique among a lot of providers. We run online term paper help system which operates a website like this one. However, on the other hand, you are able to come to our business workplace which is in Los Angeles QualityEssay. Save your precious time, come and buy essays online.


text:
home » JIS News » Budget 2016/2017
Gov't to Accelerate National Identification System
Budget 2016/2017
Written by: Garfield L. Angus
Photo: File
Prime Minister the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness (right), having a light exchange with Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, in the House, yesterday (May 24). The Prime Minister made his contribution to the 2016/17 Budget Debate.
Bold and Decisive Measures Will Be Taken to Reduce Crime – PM
Tax Reform Will Promote Equity – PM Holness
National Policy Office to Be Established
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will be seeking to speed up the implementation of a National Identification System (NIDS).
The Prime Minister argued that with the increased use of technology, including smartphones, very soon, most transactions will move to online platforms.
He informed that grant funding for the project has been secured and some development work has started.
"I have directed that all the legislative, administrative and funding processes be immediately accelerated including public education and consultations," the Prime Minister said in his contribution to the Budget Debate in Gordon House on May 26.
NIDS, which has been in development since 2009, will provide a comprehensive and secure structure to capture and store personal identity information for citizens and persons resident in Jamaica. It will become the primary source for identity assurance and verification, and will result in improved governance and management of social, economic and security programmes.
Noting the importance of the undertaking, the Prime Minister said that every Jamaican must have a unique and reliable national identity, with secure authentication, and must be known to the State.
"Ultimately, this will all contribute to the growth agenda through improved efficiency in Government as plans will be based on accurate and individualised data.
He noted further that "if all the structural benchmarks agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are to be achieved, especially those dealing with the efficiency of Government using online technology and databases and the distribution of benefits under our social safety net programme, then we must be able to know exactly who the people in the database are without duplication."
"A national unique ID will support this, and enable the Government to have a very accurate real-time census for planning purposes," he pointed out.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


9 out of 10 based on 487 ratings. 3,329 user reviews.
Mazda Demio. The Mazda Demio is a supermini manufactured and marketed globally by Mazda since 1996, currently in its fourth generation. The Demio was redesigned in 2002 on the DY platform. The Demio name continued in Japan, while the rest of the world dropped 121 and other names in favor of Mazda 2.
wwwrepairmanual›REPAIR Manual2003 MAZDA DEMIO ALL MODELS SERVICE AND REPAIR MANUAL. Fixing problems in your vehicle is a do-it-approach with the Auto Repair Manuals as they contain comprehensive instructions and procedures on how to fix the problems in your ride.
Mazda Demio service manual, as well as operating and owner's manual for Mazda Demio front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles equipped with ZJ-VE gasoline engines (1.3 liters), ZY-VE (1.5 liters).
Our 2 / Demio Mazda workshop manuals contain in-depth maintenance, service and repair information. Get your eManual now!
wwwalslib›Brands›Mazda Manuals›Automobile›2View and Download Mazda 2 owner's manual online. 2 Automobile pdf manual download. Factory-authorized Mazda service publications are available for owners who wish to do some of their own maintenance and repair. When requesting any of our publications through an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to the chart below.


text:
Home » About Us » History
A broad range of HIV/AIDS education and awareness campaigns in Uganda since 1986 resulted in many Ugandans asking the question "Am I infected?" and a growing demand for HIV testing. Before the opening of AIC, there were few HIV testing services in Uganda and almost none with associated counselling programmes. Before long, an enormous burden was placed on the national Blood Bank where many Ugandans interested in knowing their HIV status went to donate blood. The Blood Bank was not able to offer supportive counselling, and donating blood for the purpose of learning one's sero-status was an expensive misuse of blood banking services.
In response to the growing demand for testing, several organizations got together to discuss the need for anonymous and voluntary counselling and testing services in Uganda. These organizations included: the Ministry of Health's AIDS Control Programme, Nakasero Blood Bank, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), TASO, USAID, InterAid, World Learning, Inc., Uganda Red Cross, Makerere University Faculty of Social Science, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The result of these collaborative discussions was the opening of AIC, on 14th February 1990, under the direction of the late Lydia Barugahare - a Ugandan nurse trained in the United Kingdom.
Offering Ugandans an HIV counselling and testing service distinct from the Nakasero Blood Bank (the national blood bank) had a tremendous positive impact. From 1989 to 1995 the amount of blood given by volunteer donors at Nakasero increased by over 400%, while the rate of HIV found in donations fell from 14% to 2%.
In the beginning, AIC provided services in Kampala, the national capital, through a main office in a downtown office building and several satellite sites in the Kampala area. Clients received VCT over the course of two visits, receiving test results after two weeks. In its first 11 months of operation, AIC provided VCT to more than 9000 clients. This well surpassed the target of 5000 clients expected in the first year and confirmed the strong interest in VCT, which has continued up to the present. In eight years, AIC has grown from a single office with four staff into a multi-faceted centre with four branches employing over 80 people. Since 1990 AIC has served over 380000 clients.
In 1997 AIC merged its Kampala operations and opened its current headquarters in Kisenyi, an impoverished neighbourhood near the nation's largest public transportation hub and Kampala's largest outdoor market.
Cumulative Demand for VCT at AIC
By 1993 district branches were opened in Jinja, the major industrial city of Uganda, Mbarara, the largest city in the western region, and Mbale, near the Kenya border. Demand rose sharply from 1990 to 1993, and fell slightly in 1994. Large client numbers early on were partly a result of the numerous satellites that AIC operated. Owing to high operational costs, satellite services were curtailed and as a result the total numbers coming to AIC declined, stabilizing at about 40000 annually. Demand has increased in 1998.
Demand for VCT by year
In an effort to serve Ugandans living in peri-urban and rural areas, AIC began operating satellite sites in 1992. These sites were in various locations, including health centres, community centres and churches. AIC counsellors and phlebotomists traveled to these sites either once a week, bi-weekly or monthly. Blood samples were transported back to Kampala for testing with counsellors returning to the site, with test results, two to four weeks later. By 1995, 20 satellite sites were operating. Although this worked well in some areas, there were numerous problems with the approach.
Some sites had low numbers of clients with high costs of transporting staff, resulting in high expenses per person served. Overall, the problem with satellite sites was one of logistics. Blood samples were transported from a satellite site to an AIC Branch, to AIC Headquarters, then to the Blood Bank. HIV test results were then taken from the Blood Bank to Headquarters for data entry, to the AIC Branch, then back to the satellite site. Given the complexity of the routing, it was not unusual for a client to return to a satellite site only to find that their test results were not ready. Since few if any rural clients have telephones, it was not possible to notify these clients in advance. Hence, some clients took unnecessary long walks or expensive trips and were too discouraged to return a third time.
This experience demonstrated that affordable VCT for rural clients necessitated a decentralized approach with counselling and testing performed locally, with same-day results.
Increasing availability of VCT by decentralization
AIC worked with health officials in 16 districts to address the sustainability of VCT and the need for integrated services. The result was an AIC expansion strategy that included integration of VCT into existing health facilities, at the district level, and technical assistance and training for district personnel. In hand with this AIC introduced a pilot protocol for rapid testing with same-clay results, as well as procurement and distribution of test kits, support supervision, monitoring and evaluation.
The expansion strategy required that AIC reorganize itself in order to provide adequate capacity for managing both the main branch and indirect sites. Collaboration was sought with district medical and political authorities and Memoranda of Understanding were signed. The stages of expansion included: needs assessment, site selection, personnel training, setting-up of VCT facilities (in district hospitals and health centres), assessment of performance and phase-out. By 1998, 35 VCT sites were operating at hospitals and health centres, and over 5000 clients had received VCT.