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Addressing The HIV/AIDS crisis Among the Youth in Rural Areas
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a newly recognised challenge in rural communities in many African countries. No one wants to pay attention to the dying AIDS victims in rural communities of Africa. With current estimates indicating that prevalence rates are increasing among rural residents, a comprehensive community intervention is the only effective way of helping thousands of rural young people to avoid HIV/AIDS. CYM is addressing the changing needs of rural communities affected by AIDS in some of the poorest and disadvantaged communities in Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi and Chibombo districts of Central Province in Zambia. The CYM programme uses young Zambian volunteers as a valuable tool in mobilising rural community members and bring them at the center stage of the HIV/AIDS crisis in their communities. Currently, over 40,000 people especially the youth, are benefiting from our life changing activities that also prevent them from contracting HIV, a virus that causes AIDS. The CYM programme uses indigenous arts and combines both formal and non-formal education methods to bring about positive behaviour change among the rural youth.
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Every year thousands in rural communities listen to CYM awareness raising activities on HIV/AIDS
"I wish CYM came earlier to my community....my friends would not have died." - Julius Chikwanda
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Programme Mission
CYM is an indigenous community-based, non-profit organization that provides health promotion, education and advocacy for rural young people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Thus, the mission of the applicant is three fold; Through support, CYM serves the changing needs of rural communities affected by HIV/AIDS in a manner that enhances independence and dignity. CYM provides leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the rural areas of Kabwe and Chibombo districts and works co-operatively with other agencies, ensuring that needs are addressed in appropriate, sensitive, and efficient ways. Through education, building on a health promotion model for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, we promote the health, well-being, and quality of life of all people reached by our programme in rural communities. Consistent with our goal, CYM also remains committed to increasing knowledge levels of HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health issues among the rural youth through awareness-raising activities designed to target everyone, especially the youth, in rural communities. Through advocacy, CYM helps individuals and communities meet their needs at the level of practical assistance, specific programmes, and broader public policy and support.
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Programme Vision
CYM believes that there is a way to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community. This can be done through the increase of knowledge levels and awareness among community members which will have a significant effect on people's behvaiour. This is achieved by subjecting those affected, to constant messages on HIV/AIDS as a way of making them understand the devastating effects of the epidemic. Once people realise that AIDS kills, they will take action to behave responsibly and make informed decisions thereby creating a society free from HIV/AIDS.
Programme activities
CHEN: Targeting Mothers and Vulnerable Children
The CHEN will improve the quality of life of the children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in rural communities, by providing them access to treatment (for those infected), send them back to school as well as equipping their guardians with nutrition skills using locally available traditional foods. CHEN activities for children affected by AIDS were as a result of lessons learned from the Community HIV/AIDS Intervention Programme (CHIP) prevention activities in rural communities. Thousands of neglected and impoverished children are in the majority at most of the CHIP activities through out the communities. While the CHIP activities mainly targets the 15-24 years old, CHEN activities will provide practical direct support to children affected by AIDS aged between 03-15years old. CHIP activities are already taking care of some rural children in the area of giving them knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS issues affecting them. However practical direct assistance to improve their health, education and nutritional status will greatly answer their challenges that make them fail to see the future. There are well over 12,000 children in our communities directly affected by AIDS of which over 5,000 are AIDS orphans. CHEN activities for children affected by AIDS were as a result of lessons learned from the Community HIV/AIDS Intervention Programme (CHIP) prevention activities in rural communities. Thousands of neglected and impoverished children are in the majority at most of the CHIP activities through out the communities. While the CHIP activities mainly targets the 15-24 years old, CHEN activities will provide practical direct support to children affected by AIDS aged between 03-15years old. CHIP activities are already taking care of some rural children in the area of giving them knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS issues affecting them. However practical direct assistance to improve their health, education and nutritional status will greatly answer their challenges that make them fail to see the future. There are well over 12,000 children in our communities directly affected by AIDS of which over 5,000 are AIDS orphans. CHEN activities for children affected by AIDS were as a result of lessons learned from the Community HIV/AIDS Intervention Programme (CHIP) prevention activities in rural communities. Thousands of neglected and impoverished children are in the majority at most of the CHIP activities through out the communities. While the CHIP activities mainly targets the 15-24 years old, CHEN activities will provide practical direct support to children affected by AIDS aged between 03-15years old. CHIP activities are already taking care of some rural children in the area of giving them knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS issues affecting them. However practical direct assistance to improve their health, education and nutritional status will greatly answer their challenges that make them fail to see the future. There are well over 12,000 children in our communities directly affected by AIDS of which over 5,000 are AIDS orphans.
CHEN programme
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Mobile VCT Now Available in Rural Areas
Rural Communities served by the CYM's Community HIV/AIDS Intervention Programme (CHIP) are benefiting from the free mobile Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT) made accessible by CYM and its partners. CYM takes VCT as an important entry point in HIV prevention, early access to treatment, care and support. However, a serious problem occurs in many rural areas in Zambia where access to VCT presents a challenge. CHIP however is mobilising rural communities for mass VCT campaigns held at selected times during the year. The response from the community members has been overwhelming with some campaigns recording as many as over 100 people testing for HIV.
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Many Children Have Been Orphaned due to AIDS and left Impoverished!
"Though high nutrition foods contain are available in the villages, it is apparent that grandmothers looking after orphans do not have an understanding of exactly what foods contain most value for their children" - Ministry of Health 2005 |
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