The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65959

William O Fleming, MSPH¹, Felicia Sakala, RN², and Clarence Hall, DrPH¹. (1) HIV/AIDS Unit, Africare, Inc., Africare House, 440 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-462-3614, wfleming@africare.org, (2) Africare Zambia, PO Box 33921, Lusaka, Zambia

The Tizenge Youth Orphan Project is a community-based initiative in Eastern Zambia led by youth who were formerly orphans. The project has two main objectives: to provide literacy education to orphans and vulnerable children aged 5-24 and to increase STD/HIV/AIDS awareness, care and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS in participating communities. The project takes a holistic approach to the challenges facing the orphans and their communities, is linked to complementary ongoing efforts and addresses needs ranging from education, infrastructure, management capacity, and income generation. Thirteen villages collaborated to construct 3 schools and 30 classroom benches. Nine teachers and 30 caregivers have been trained to provide literacy classes, reaching 120 students. Adult courses are under development. STD/HIV/AIDS awareness activities, including drama and traditional dances have reached over 3,000 people. To enhance sustainability, the project is breeding goats and operating Yenga presses for crushing sunflower seeds into cooking oil. Project management capacity has been strengthened through linkages with other projects within Africare, and the project has been registered as an NGO with the national government. Future activities include the development of safe water supplies and improved sanitation through latrines at the school sites. The project brings hope to orphans and other vulnerable children who previously received no support and has increased awareness of HIV/AIDS among participating communities. This project demonstrates the types of integrated, multisectoral approaches needed to address the complex challenges facing orphans and their communities in Africa.

Learning Objectives:

• • Identify the challenges facing communities in Africa with high HIV prevalence and rapidly growing orphan populations.
  • Assess the effectiveness of using multisectoral approaches to address the needs and support of community responses to orphans care.
  • Describe techniques to enhance project sustainability, community ownership and involvement in the care of orphans.
  • Identify opportunities to expand project elements through strategic linkages with related projects.

Keywords: Vulnerable Populations, Community Response

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.