Katie D. Schenk, MA, MSc¹, Eka Esu-Williams, PhD¹, Joseph Motsepe¹, Moses Zulu², Amos Kasongo¹, and Scott Geibel, MPH¹. (1) Horizons/Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 237-9400, kschenk@pcdc.org, (2) Mantumbusa Community Anti-AIDS Club, c/o Horizons Program/Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008

Issues The growing number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in rural Zambia places a great burden on families and communities.

Description 300 youth, aged 13-25, received training in providing home-based care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Youth soon recognized that the primary concern of PLHA was the welfare of their children. The program responded with additional training to help youth meet the care and support needs of OVC as well as PLHA. Follow-up survey results show that during the previous 3 months, youth conducted on average1-2 visits per week to affected families, helping to care for approximately 4 PLHA and 4 OVC.

Lessons Learned Young people, many of whom were themselves orphans, were particularly suitable for working with OVC because they were flexible, eager to learn and implement new skills, and keen to volunteer. Critical to the success of youth activities in mobilizing help for OVC was training and support that encouraged them to network with local institutions -- including schools, health facilities and NGOs. Group recreational activities organized by youth helped to increase community integration of OVC and overcome their social isolation. Youth were unable to meet the material needs of OVC including school fees, but their efforts not requiring material inputs, such as counseling and attention, were warmly welcomed.

Recommendations Programs that focus on OVC should recognize the potential of trained youth in helping to address their care and support needs, as well as those of their families.

Learning Objectives: