Feb
26

2014
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Workshop on eMTCT

Category: News 2014 Leave a Comment

Africaid managed to be in a team which was developing a 2014 Advocacy and Communication work plan as well as developing the framework for monitoring and evaluation for the 2014 communication work plan for Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (eMTCT).  Africaid through its representatives pointed across the issue to have teenagers as one of the groups to target in creating demand for the eMTCT program. This is due to the fact that young girls are engaging in sexual intercourse at a very young age. A representive from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare also shed light on the shift from option A to option B+. Thus in light of the meeting on eMTCT the program’s representative was encouraging the participants to sensitize their organisations on the new policy. This policy eliminates the need for HIV+ pregnant expectant mothers to be eligible for ART initiation based on CD4 of 350cells or to be in WHO Clinical Stage 3 & 4 but to be started due to pregnancy and HIV+ status.

Feb
24

2014
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Challenges young people face in relation to ARVs

Category: News 2014 Tags: , WHO Leave a Comment

In December, the teens from Zvandiri were so happy to be invited by WHO, Geneva to help them record this radio show. Listen here to find out more about the challenges young people face with adherence to ARVs:

Feb
21

2014
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Child Sensitive Social Policies International Conference 2014

Category: News 2014 Tags: , Childline, Coalition against Child Labour in Zimbabwe, Department of Disability Studies and Special needs education, Ministry of Public Services Labour and Social Welfare, UNICEF Namibia, , University of Cape Town, Women's University in Africa 1 Comment

With support from UNICEF Zimbabwe, the Women’s University in Africa hosted the first International Child Sensitive Social Policies conference recently at the Meikles hotel in Harare. The theme for this conference was “Towards a Child Sensitive Society in Zimbabwe”

Professor Hope Sadza (Vice Chancellor of Women’s University in Africa) in her speech mentioned that many countries have struggled with increasing incidences of violence and exploitation of children, neglect and social exclusion of vulnerable children especially girls and children with disabilities. When matters stand like this then there is no other way than to call for in depth investigations about how child protection and social protection systems operate, their shortcomings; their success and if they can be improved. Through the partnership between the Women’s University in Africa and UNICEF, the former is offering a Post-Graduate Diploma in Child Sensitive Social Policies (CSSP), meant to promote the rights and wellbeing of children and women.

Someone once said that “anything for us, without us is against us!” and true to the saying, the conference engaged children and gave them an opportunity to participate in discussions on matters that affect them. Delegates at the conference included Mr Reza Hossaini, the UNICEF country representative in Zimbabwe, Dr David Parirenyatwa, The Minister of Health and Child Welfare including students, academics, non-governmental organizations, research networks, international agencies and donors from various African countries.

Feb
7

2014
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Rujeko and Africaid exchange program

Category: News 2014 Tags: , Rujeko Home Based Care Programme Leave a Comment

Loyce (standing), leading the discussion.

Loyce (standing), leading the discussion.

Yesterday we had an exchange visit from Rujeko Home Based Care Programme here at Zvandiri house. Adolescents from both organizations were in attendance and also facilitated at the meeting. Rujeko is a community based organization with Head offices situated in Mutare with its field offices in Buhera south district (Birchenough bridge). The organisation seeks to provide HIV and AIDS services in terms of prevention, care and support. The meeting started off with both parties sharing their history and what they have achieved so far.

Children and youths in Buhera south district were neglected as there were no support structures for them which is why Rujeko Home Based Care Programme is establishing support groups. During the meeting we learnt about a special toolkit used by Rujeko as a way of informing its young patrons. Join In Circuit (JIC) toolkit includes 7 stations which are pitched for the youths and in each station you learn how to become more responsible for your life in whatever situation you might be facing. The toolkit also helps in teaching solidarity and making it easy to share with your peers. Rujeko taught us an important aspect –in life it is not always about your status (poor or rich, HIV positive or negative) but its all about enhancing yourself in becoming a part of a responsible generation.

We then held a mock support group and adherence was a hot issue and many questions arose about whether to take ARVs without eating first but it all came down to “If there is no food prepared, taking your medication on time is more important than not taking because there is no food, do as the situation requires and also do not be selective, whatever is available at home, eat it because it is good for you!”