ACHNO stands for the African and Caribbean Health Network of Ottawa, a partnership consisting of agencies, organisations and individuals working with or advocating for improved health outcomes for people of African descent in the national capital, using a health promotion and disease prevention strategy. Founding member organisations include the Somerset Community Health Centre, AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO), Ottawa Public Health, Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Global Ottawa AIDS Link, Ottawa Coalition on HIV & AIDS and the African & Caribbean HIV/AIDS IN Ontario. On Saturday, 5 October, 2013, ACHNO feted its volunteers with special awards at the Velvet Inn in the Byward Market. Hosted by ACO and under the leadership of ACHNO chair, Hoaua Inoua, those honoured included Zhaida Uddin and Godwin Ifedi of Ottawa Public Health, Felicite Murangira of Vanier Community Service Centre and Jean-Marie Vianney of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa. Among the highlights of the day was an inspirational poem termed “Akowe” (translation “student”), by Nigerian-born nursing student, Tolu Kolawole, accompanied by the Yoruba “talking drum”.
