Objectives:
The overall objective of HIV&/AIDS activities is to contribute to the decrease of HIV&/AIDS in Zambia through the use of non-formal education. Specifically:
to increase commitment by the children, youths as a window of hope to care and support the PLWH in PAF target areas.
to Help change community based negative attitudes towards HIV&/AIDS prevention, care, stigma and support.
to promote behavioural changes in communities in PAF target areas.
to promote HIV&/AIDS awareness among children, youths, teachers and local leadership.
HIV&/AIDS is a crosscutting issue in which all PAF’s seven Branches are working by virtue of the nature of the approach used for adult education. REFLECT draws the participation of Circle members in selecting topics they wish to discuss and address, and HIV&/AIDS is invariably one of the top three community issues. Initial funding to train Circle facilitators to lead participants in addressing HIV&/AIDS came from the United Church of Canada funded PAFs first programme in HIV&AIDS. Mainstreaming HIV&/AIDS in all Branches, in 2005. This served as a catalyst, going beyond Circle level discussions and actions to signing up on programmes with other funding partners to be able to deal in greater depth and extent with HIV&/AIDS and its attendant concerns. The Districts have since taken different foci and approaches in their programmes:
Mazabuka: STAR (AWDF-African Women’s Development Fund) and Mobile VCT & ART Support (International AIDS Alliance )
From December 2009 to January 2011 implemented the STAR project “Reflect and HIV/AIDS” supported by the AWDF. The purpose of the STAR project was to introduce and develop an integrated and comprehensive approach to individual and community empowerment in the face of HIV and AIDS in selected communities of three areas; Nega Nega, Lubombo, and Magobbo in Mazabuka District of the Southern Province. More on the project>>>
The programme followed work in Home-Based Care &VCT 2005/2006, Mobile VCT in 2006/2007 to facilitating ART access in 2007/2008. In the mainstreaming of HIV training facilitators were trained in basic information on the epidemic, how to use participatory tools and mobilization skills, patient (palliative) care, VCT counselling and administering ARV’s. Trainings were also conducted in Anti-Stigma, and treatment support work.
Mumbwa: Real Man, Real Woman Campaign (PACT International)
In2008 and 2009 Mumbwa Branch conducted the ‘Real Man Real Woman’ Campaign, an abstinence message, to support women organizations to implement gender sensitive HIV/AIDS prevention Programs with emphasis on A & B (Abstinence & Be Faithful) messaging. The community discussions dealt with matters such as sexual cleansing and HIV/AIDS Stigma.
Namayani: STAR ( Societies Tackling AIDS through Rights (ActionAid International)
From 2007 to 2009 PAF Namayani implemented a one-year STAR programme, as a pilot. The overall objective was to introduce and develop an integrated and comprehensive approach to individual and community empowerment in the face of HIV and AIDS.
The Circles was able to arrive at action points to the issues identified as affecting them as communities. Income generating projects have supported Circles and member households beyond the life of the project. Namayani Clinic was finally opened after 10 years following a joint advocacy action by all the Circles.
STAR is the key community engagement approach to be ued in a new project “Policy Engagement and Advocacy Initiative: Coordinated Response to HIV and AIDS” beginning August 2011 in partnership with the Zambia Governance Fund (ZGF).
>>more on STAR