2006_HIV_AIDS

HIV AIDS THE INITIATIVE AND RESPONSE OF THE WORLD MCAs c

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1. An Introduction

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4. The Global Strategy Workshop

2. Executive Summary

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5. Key Learnings And Challenges 09

3. The Global Plan Of Action

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6. Country Reports

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introduction There were many YMCAs involved in the response to HIV and AIDS pandemic before the resolution on that issue was passed at the 15th World Council in Mexico in July 2002.

As always in the YMCA culture, whenever the communities they are rooted in faces a problem, it becomes imperative for that YMCA to address that problem. The adoption of Challenge 21 provides the framework to contextualize the YMCA mission worldwide.

That is why many YMCAs started on their programmes to address HIV and AIDS.

The 15th Word Council Resolution on HIV and AIDS, firstly, gave acknowledgement to the global dimension and implications of the pandemic. Like no other epidemic in history HIV and AIDS cuts across class, race, economic status, religion, gender, etc. "With the development of anti-retroviral therapies (ARTs) the pandemic defines who is saved.

It defined the excluded of the world, the wretched of the earth. Above all, HIV and AIDS defined those who can purchase well-being and those who cannot" Tony Barnett And Alan Whiteside AIDS in the Twenty-first Century: Disease and Globalization.(Book Review) : An article from: Population and Development Review [HTML] (Digital).

HIV and AIDS is reflective of inequalities and inadequacies, whether social, economic or political. From that angle, YMCAs all over the world have taken the position that the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS is not only a public health issue but also a medical challenge. "When HIV and AIDS first surfaced as a major problem, it was thought to be one of the greatest medical challenges of the century. The greater challenge however, is in the sphere of social change. That means if we are to tackle HIV and AIDS, we must find new forms and bases of social relationships, alongside the search for ways to achieve gender equity, agendas to narrow and eliminate the rich-poor divide and to fight discrimination on the basis of caste, class, ethnicity and religion.

Truly the fundamental reason why HIV and AIDS is a pandemic is because our world does little to alleviate poverty and exclusion.

A search for justice alone will provide secure and sure foundations of

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a wholesome society, where the body, mind and soul are nourished for each individual and for all groups of people." Healing and Wholeness: The Global Challenge of HIV/AIDS, World YMCA-YWCA Week of Prayer, World Alliance of YMCAs, Geneva, 2003 Secondly, the Mexico resolution recognises the need for having adequate capacity of the YMCA to address the urgent issue. Dealing with the HIV and AIDS-related problems is complex and requires capacity.

That is why it was recommended that HIV and AIDS be included into the incoming Global Operating Plan.

Since Mexico, the importance of a co-ordinated approach in terms of strategy, leadership, advocacy and service delivery to community and the people affected or infected by the disease has been recognized.

That is why a Global Capacity Building Forum was planned and implemented as an initial step in the implementation of the resolution.

The purpose of this special publication is to share among the YMCA constituency some achievements reached so far, and also to assess where YMCAs are or could be positioned on the global scene in response to the pandemic.

From the National Movement's brief outlines of their programmes it may be noted that many YMCAs are involved in adolescent reproductive health related programmes and therefore in prevention.

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At the public level, people view the YMCA as the kind of organisation which can rally wide-ranging points of view and ideologies involving people of different faiths and cultures in a united action based on the aspirations of a common humanity, where all people are respected and can live in harmonious existence. The YMCA, whether in a local, national, regional or global setting is capable of providing an international fora through which an integrated grassroots – national - regional - global agenda to respond to HIV and AIDS can be generated. The YMCA has an equal capacity for action at the community level as well as for national and international advocacy.

Besides, the public recognizes the work of the YMCA and trusts its sincerity. This is a big asset which the YMCA can capitalise on in developing public awareness and policy. It is high time for YMCAs to scale up their activities and to use their tremendous global network to increase their impact at the local and worldwide levels. At the last Strategy Workshop held in March this year, it was strongly recommended that prevention should continue to be our strategic intervention field. And a specific focus is to be given on youth, people living with HIV and AIDS and promoting gender equality. Moreover,

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it was agreed to mainstream HIV and AIDS-related activities in all YMCA’s community-based programmes. The 16th World Council is an opportunity to increase our commitment towards a qualitative delivery of our programs and also a more significant presence on the global advocacy scene.

We hope, as a movement, to be an agent of the good news worldwide.

HIV and AIDS are neither a fatality nor a death sentence. One can live positively with HIV. Access to treatment is possible provided we continue to struggle for it.

This special publication is a first step in sharing our achievements and challenges on this issue. It is part of our overall knowledge management strategy. We thank those YMCAs who have shared their activities and YMCA partners who are providing support for all activities worldwide.

Let us continue to strive together for Life and Peace.

Carlos Madjri SANVEE Executive Secretary World Alliance of YMCAS

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Tony Barnett And Alan Whiteside AIDS in the Twenty-first Century: Disease and Globalization.(Book Review) : An article from: Population and Development Review [HTML] (Digital) Healing and Wholeness: The Global Challenge of HIV/AIDS, World YMCA-YWCA Week of Prayer, World Alliance of YMCAs, Geneva, 2003

Few movements are dealing with care and support or in advocacy.

The involvement of the World Alliance in the global advocacy is mostly through the activities of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, of which the World Alliance is a founding member.

executive summary Around 40 million people in the world are living with HIV and more than 25 million have died of AIDS. The Gospel imperative of love demands that we in the YMCA reach out to the community that we live in and interact with and try to ease the pain and suffering of people caused by HIV and AIDS. At the 15th World Council of YMCAs in Mexico in July 2002 it HIV and AIDS is increasing. More than 30 National Movements was resolved that “the challenge of HIV and AIDS is a key priority are developing programmes to eliminate the pandemic.

Nevertheless the real question we ask ourselves is “Are we doing for the world YMCA Movement”. enough?” What is the impact of the YMCAs’ intervention in their Since the Mexico Council, there have been many initiatives. The respective communities? How are YMCAs perceived in the global scene of responding to the pandemic?

World Alliance of YMCAs Executive Committee adopted a theoretical framework for action to guide the design and implementation of a global agenda on HIV and AIDS. A Global The spread of HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on youth, families and communities throughout the world, especially in Capacity Building Forum took place in Durban, South Africa, from 14-22 March 2004. The YMCA HIV and AIDS workplace developing countries. This destruction impacts on every policy, which is intended to provide a set of guidelines to address community where the YMCA operates. the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the world of work and to promote a non-discriminatory employment policy within the YMCAs was The World YMCA Movement must work to defend youth, families and communities from one of the greatest single threats to drafted. humankind through innovative information and education programmes and the strengthening of YMCA networks and The Global Forum recommended that the YMCA intensify its strategic alliances. The YMCA should also support and advocate commitment to the prevention of HIV and AIDS, implement for people living with AIDS. programmes for the care and support of those infected and affected, and become involved in advocacy at all levels. The Global Plan of Action, which is based on the vision of empowered (Resolution adopted at the 15th World Council of YMCAs, youth and communities working together to mobilise resources Mexico, July 2002) for delivering sustainable, community-based, gender-sensitive, youth-focussed, Christian-value based HIV and AIDS In June 1981, scientists in the United States reported the first programmes, was adopted. clinical evidence of a disease that would later become known as Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Twenty-five In March 2006, a Global Strategy meeting was held in Geneva in years later, the AIDS epidemic has spread to every corner of the order to move the Global Plan of Action to an operational level. world. Today, around 40 million people are living with HIV and The meeting brought together key YMCA actors to assess ways more than 25 million have died of AIDS. But 25 years of action in which the YMCA could be more effective in its programme to control the epidemic has also yielded a growing list of delivery, and ways to develop strategic relationships with the breakthroughs. international institutions dealing with HIV and AIDS. The meeting was also an opportunity to develop better and more co-ordinated The last United Nations (UN) report published in May 2006 approaches for a more effective synergy of our programmes. estimates that 38.6 million people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 2005. An estimated 4.1 million became newly infected with The number of local associations of HIV and an estimated 2.8 million lost YMCA involved in the response against their lives to AIDS. Overall, the HIV incidence rate (the proportion of people who have become infected with HIV) is believed to have peaked in the late 1990s and to have stabilised since then, despite an increasing incidence rate in several countries.

Africa remains the global epicentre of the AIDS pandemic. In South Africa an estimated 5.5 million people are HIV-positive – one of the worst

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incidences in the world. The epidemic shows no signs of declining. Objectives UNAIDS also reports that HIV and AIDS are spreading dramatically in Asia. It is estimated that 3.5 million people in India will be affected by the virus by 2010. Estimates for China vary from 0.5 to 10 million. By 2020, Asia will be the HIV and AIDS epicentre (UNAIDS, 2005).

Today, we know that HIV infection is identifiable, preventable and manageable, and that with current medical know-how there is no reason why anyone should be dying of AIDS-related illnesses.

• To enhance information, education, communication and awareness in terms of HIV and AIDS. • To develop a global perspective from which YMCAs worldwide will develop strategies and programmes to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

• To provide opportunities for young people to be actively involved at all levels in decision-making and implementation of HIV and AIDS-related programmes.

• To facilitate a process that encourages exchanges, resource sharing and networking for better co-ordination of YMCA activities in the field of prevention, care, support and advocacy.

• To develop specific advocacy strategies, together with civil society organisations, in terms of access to treatment and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

AIDS is not the kind of issue that is unfamiliar territory to the YMCA. The matter of health care has always been inherent to YMCA concerns. The specific issue of AIDS came into focus when YMCAs in West and Southern Africa, and South Asia developed programmes of relief for AIDS sufferers coupled with awareness Action Plan programmes for young people living in vulnerable situations.

This concern has spread and is evident from programme profiles of YMCAs in Latin America, Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and • To develop publication and resource materials on HIV and AIDS. Russia. The YMCA, whether local, national, regional, or global is capable of providing international forums, through which an • To organise a Global Forum on HIV and AIDS to debate global strategies and specific action plans. integrated grassroots-national-regional-global agenda can be generated to combat HIV/AIDS. • To facilitate the knowledge management process through the establishment of a Knowledge Base Working Group and the creation of a web-based resource library.

The challenge to the YMCA movement springs from a spiritual calling. As a Christian organisation, the YMCA must affirm that • To develop expertise at national and area levels, in terms of resource mobilisation to support ongoing God’s love is inclusive. God will not reject the vulnerable or the programmes. sick no matter how society judges them. God calls us also to be the protector of those who are sick, mistreated, or being exploited.

• To participate actively in the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance’s campaign "I care... Do you? The Churches The Gospel imperative of love demands that we reach out to the say YES!" rejecting stigma and discrimination. community that we live in and interact with and try to ease the pain and suffering of people caused by HIV and AIDS • To join ongoing campaigns on access to treatment.

taking action

This global approach is based on the principles, ethics and values derived from our Mission. The socio-economic context of the Kampala Principles has changed. YMCAs have to go beyond the charitable and humanitarian approach. The conditions that facilitate a rapid spread of an infectious disease are also by and large those that make it difficult for societies to respond, thus making the impact worse.

WORLD WEEK OF PRAYER The 2003 World Week of Prayer was focussed on HIV and AIDS. It was an important step in bringing HIV to the centre of our quest for our mission clarity. Over the week, many YMCA members reflected and challenged themselves about their Christian and social responsibility vis-à-vis the pandemic. This created the motivation for new commitments for new programmes in many of our organisations.

At the 15th World Council of YMCAs in Mexico in July 2002 it was resolved that “the challenge of HIV and AIDS is a key priority for the world YMCA Movement and that the Resolution be included in the THE GLOBAL FORUM Global Operating Plan”.

A Global Capacity Building Forum took place in Durban, South Since the Mexico Council, there have been many initiatives. The number Africa, from 14-22 March 2004. More than 100 participants from of local associations of YMCA involved in the response against HIV 30 YMCAs attended. We had the privilege to have Mr Stephen and AIDS is increasing. More than 30 National Movements are Lewis, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for HIV and developing programmes to eliminate the pandemic. Nevertheless the AIDS in Africa, as a keynote speaker. Other international real question we ask ourselves is “Are we doing enough?” What is the organisations such as UNAIDS, World Health Organisation impact of the YMCAs’ intervention in their respective communities? (WHO), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), How are YMCAs perceived in the global scene of responding to the Pathfinder International, Y Care International, The Core Initiative, pandemic?

World YWCA, Youth Education Centre “FIALTA” in Belarus, International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS (ICW), and the Zambian Integrated Health Programme (ZIHP) also FRAMEWORK participated and actively contributed to the building of YMCA capacities in addressing HIV and AIDS. Participants shared their Based on the Mexico resolution, the World Alliance Executive Committee adopted a theoretical framework for action to guide experiences and created a space for networking and alliance the design and implementation of a global agenda on HIV and building.

AIDS.

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One outcome of the Forum was a “Strategic Document - Position Paper” which was formally approved by the Executive Committee in 2004. This created the basis for YMCAs to move together globally in a more co-ordinated manner. A Working Group on HIV and AIDS was formed to stimulate the process, together with the areas and the World Alliance Secretariat.

and AIDS as well as their involvement in local, national, regional and global advocacy campaigns. It was expected that the Forum will help improve YMCA commitment to HIV and AIDS care counselling and advocacy programmes.

ANGOLA AND SIERRA LEONE

A grant of US$ 160 000 was received from the Core Initiative to implement, together with the World YWCA, HIV and AIDS The interest and commitment generated by the Global Capacity programmes in Angola and Sierra Leone. The aim is to increase awareness, and to address attitudes and practices of young Building Forum on HIV and AIDS mobilised young people within our movement. Many new activities have been launched people in order to protect themselves from HIV and AIDS at local, regional and national levels. At the world level, the most epidemics. The World Alliance is responsible for the overall monitoring of the Initiative and reporting to the Core Initiative. significant development has been the e-forums.

THE ELECTRONIC FORUM

The first Forum was held in July 2004 and was focused on fundraising for HIV programmes. Many young people around the globe shared their experiences and their expectations on how to make the world Movement of YMCAs more effective in raising funds for programmes in general and more specifically for HIV initiatives.

The programme started in July 2004 with a Strategy Design workshop held in each country. In Sierra Leone, the Initiative is progressing well.

One hundred Peer Educators (PE) were trained and more than 10 000 youth-at-risk groups were exposed to the PE activities. Community outreach activities are underway. At this stage it is not possible to measure the change in attitudes.

The second Forum focused on Stigma and Discrimination. The reduction of stigma and discrimination vis-à-vis people living with AIDS is key in the response to the pandemic. Over a threeweek period, almost two hundred people shared not only opinions, but also feelings, experiences and personal stories.

In Angola, the situation is more complex and the limited capacity of the YWCA and YMCA is a serious obstacle. The production of the training materials has been delayed and more time is needed to reach the target.

The third Forum focussed on Advocacy. It aimed to increase YMCA staff and volunteer understanding of advocacy and HIV

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global

the planofaction The Global Forum recommended that the YMCA intensify its commitment to the prevention of HIV and AIDS, implement programmes for the care and support of those infected and affected, and become involved in advocacy at all levels. A framework that set the main position and priorities of YMCAs worldwide had to be globally defined, in order to organise YMCAs’ responses to the pandemic more effectively. building should be undertaken at the regional and international The framework for the Global Plan of Action is the vision of empowered youth and communities working together to mobilise levels. resources for delivering sustainable, community-based, gendersensitive, youth-focussed, Christian-value based HIV and AIDS In particular, the World Alliance aims to: programmes.

• Facilitate the implementation of the Plan of Action; • Strengthen the capacity of YMCAs in developing and The Plan sets the following priorities: promoting leadership of women and girls; • Assist in human resource development; Prevention.

• Strengthen access to knowledge management; Targeted awareness programmes need to be implemented to • Encourage and promote theological and spiritual educate people about how to protect themselves from HIV and reflection and social analysis; and AIDS. People need to have access to condoms, needle exchange • Develop mechanisms and tools for follow up and programmes and substitution therapy. evaluation of HIV and AIDS programmes.

Stigma and discrimination.

The effectiveness of care and prevention programmes is often undermined by stigma and discrimination. This issue needs to be addressed among the youth and strategies identified to work for a positive change in attitudes that cause stigma and discrimination. networking

Partnerships

coalitions&

Gender inequality.

Women are dying in disproportionate numbers. To reverse the global spread of HIV and AIDS we must break the chains of poverty and gender inequality that help the disease to spread.

Orphans and vulnerable children.

We need approaches that integrate these children into their extended families or their larger communities’ care for their physical, social, educational, emotional and spiritual needs.

rOLEOFTHE WORLDALLIANCE The role of the World Alliance is to provide leadership and help organise HIV and AIDS work within the YMCAs. The interventions are expected to be implemented in accordance with local circumstances and conditions as the particular YMCA involved may deem fit. Above all, the communities concerned must have the final say as to the specific areas of intervention, taking into account local sensitivities (cultural, social etc) through a participatory decision making process. Advocacy and coalition HIV

The complexities of the HIV and AIDS exceed the capacity of any single sector. The pandemic demands mobilisation and collaboration at community, national and international levels.

The YMCA should: • Build and sustain multisectoral partnerships to support co-ordinated and comprehensive responses to HIV and AIDS; • Foster strategic partnerships that support co-ordinated and comprehensive programming; and • Form partnerships and coalitions with faith-based, multi-lateral, nongovernmental organisations to increase the effectiveness in advocacy.

advocacy Effective advocacy that influences policies at all levels is required.

This includes advocating for access to treatment; for the rights of people living with AIDS; for access to information, for poverty and illiteracy eradication, for access to voluntary counselling

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information SHARING and testing; and against stigma and discrimination.

A global network for information sharing needs to be developed.

Practical steps include: • Encouraging the development, adaptation and sharing of HIV and AIDS related educational materials and developing an information database; • Holding workshops and regional meetings; and • Electronic forums, which will allow people from all over the world to be in touch and exchange ideas, learn from one another other and strengthen contacts, experiences and thoughts.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION The lack of resources has limited many nations’ ability to bring prevention and treatment programmes to scale, and stem the tide of the epidemic. It is estimated that prevention programmes reach fewer people than those who need them and only a small fraction of people with HIV in need of antiretroviral treatment have access to treatment.

The strategy should include: • Mobilising a major commitment of resources; • Identifying the required resources at national, regional and international levels and mapping out strategies for mobilising these resources (from, for example, the private sector, UN related agencies, and governmental funds); • Effectively using the resources of the national YMCA; and • Developing mechanisms to co-ordinate resources.

POLICY GUIDELINES Youth leadership and active participation are imperative at the local, regional, national and global levels. Capacity building among the youth needs to be a continuous process with emphasis on youth-led programmes with youth as decision makers, ensuring that programmes are reaching diverse young people.

The development and application of gender mainstreaming strategies with acceptable definitions of gender and sex is also essential. Such strategies will aim to ensure that equality and gender equity are guaranteed and sustained in all levels of the YMCA and that young men and women share responsibility and leadership in the YMCA.

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global strategy the

workshop

In order to move the Global Plan of Action to an operational level, a Strategy Meeting was held in Geneva in March 2006. The meeting brought together key YMCA actors to assess ways in which the YMCA could be more effective in its programme delivery, and ways to develop strategic relationships with the international institutions dealing with HIV and AIDS. The meeting was also an opportunity to develop better and more co-ordinated approaches for a more effective synergy of our programmes.

Resource Persons from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, WCC, UNAIDS, WHO, Caritas, UNICEF, ILO, People Living With AIDS Networks (ANARELA+), World Vision International and Y Care International all helped in achieving the desired results.

HIV and AIDS work needs to be mainstreamed into all programmes.

Isolating PLWHA under the guise of specific programmes for them only serves to promote stigma. The best strategy for community intervention is ‘inclusiveness’ and mainstreaming. Furthermore, an HIV and AIDS programme training for staff, volunteers and The meeting came up with specific implementation strategies for members should include stigma education. the YMCA HIV and AIDS Action Plan entitled ‘Building the Capacity of Young Men’s Christian Associations to Address the Gender Equity Challenges of HIV and AIDS’.

Effective strategy at this level should involve both men and women, empowering them to take personal responsibility for protecting It was agreed to focus on and to use the competitive advantage of themselves from contracting HIV and mobilising resources for the YMCA to be more effective in the programme planning and easy access to health services. Training workshops for staff should delivery. It was therefore decided to focus on Youth with an educate them about the specific factors that make women emphasis on informal education including a component on sexual particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Programmes to empower and health education. women economically and socially, through life skills and leadership training (as well as other practical support for women) should also Within this strategic orientation, YMCA programmes worldwide be provided. on HIV and AIDS will be developed around the five priority areas identified at the Global Forum in Durban: Prevention, People Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), Stigma, Gender, Orphans YMCAs should mobilise resources for providing access to treatment and Vulnerable Children. for children in need. They should also provide support for the infected and affected and their home-based care givers; provide Prevention socio-economic support (for example, programmes that promote Focussing on youth, our main emphasis will be prevention. Our education, recreation, vocational training, and civic empowerment). strategy will focus on education, policy development, counselling In addition, YMCAs are invited to join international campaigns and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). Education needs such as the UNICEF Campaign on Children to develop partnerships to involve full and accurate information. In addition to the ‘Abstain, and network with other community organisations.

Be faithful, Condomise’ (ABC) model, new approaches were identified for educational campaigns.

Within this framework, YMCAs are invited to develop their specific action plan and to work in synergy with the movement worldwide.

It is only through a co-ordinated effort that we will have an impact.

PLWHA Strategy in this area hinges on the active involvement of PLWHA Leadership training and knowledge sharing should be emphasised. at all YMCA levels. Local and global advocacy should focus on Through this strategy meeting, the World Alliance has reinforced basic needs and rights of PLWHA. The YMCA should mobilise its relationship with international organisations. It is important resources for providing access to treatment as well as provide relevant services (nutrition, education, faith-based/spiritual care, that we pursue our effort to secure funds and human resources to implement the Plan of Action, which is geared toward capacity and referrals). building.

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learnings keychallenges and

A key learning which emerged from the strategy workshop was that, while prevention remains a critical aspect of HIV and AIDS programming, we must shift our focus to include more education and programming involving PLWHA. In all types of programming, it is critical that the YMCA serves as a resource, providing full and accurate information for making informed choices.

The strategy workshop identified the following areas as challenges that must be addressed: • Capacity/leadership development; • Resource mobilisation and management; • Communication; • Knowledge management.

The following action plans were mandated: • Capacity/leadership development.

• Develop curriculum to educate and train staff and volunteers on new HIV and AIDS programme strategies; • Mentor younger YMCA leaders to ensure programme sustainability.

• Resource mobilisation and management • Research funding sources and requirements of funders; The workshop noted some critical prerequisites for success which • Conduct proposal writing workshop for key volunteers and staff; deserve special attention and other areas which need to be developed or improved in order to maximise our input.

• Train key volunteers and staff in appropriate financial management and reporting.

These include: • Communication • Forging strategic partnerships • Disseminate YMCA Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS; • Documenting and sharing learning; • Produce Magazine • Building the image of the YMCA externally; • Knowledge management • Scaling up and diversifying fundraising; • Develop mechanisms for knowledge sharing at local, • Maximising opportunities from existing global national and regional levels to avoid duplicating mistakes and share best practices; partnerships/relationships; • Gaining access to practical resource tools; • Update and improve the World Alliance database on • Enabling leadership and mentoring; • HIV and AIDS programming. Make this information • Effective communication and marketing mechanisms; available to regional and national offices; • Networking with like-minded organisations; • Survey local communities to determine needs and ensure • Expanding our advocacy role; and that programming is relevant.

• Identifying cross-cultural commonalities that can be adapted to local contexts.

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country reports These reports on HIV and AIDS initiatives undertaken by YMCAs in various parts of the world demonstrate both the degree of commitment and resourcefulness of local YMCA structures, and the support given to this work by YMCAs in other regions. Many of these programmes have formed fruitful partnerships with other NGOs and with local and national government agencies.

The overwhelming majority of the projects focus on young people, with an emphasis on changing attitudes towards sexuality, confronting stigmatisation, struggling to change perceptions of the role of women, catering for the needs of vulnerable youth, and empowering youth to become peer educators in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.

Achievements These include: Educational assistance to 478 school going children; Enrollment of 35 Children at the YMCA Happy Home (AIDS Orphan Care Centre) for a better quality life.

The projects were independently assessed by professional external Many challenges remain. These include sustainability in the face evaluators contracted by the Donors and the Bangkok YMCA Foundation. of a shifting youth population, traditional practices, funding challenges, and the need to craft creative responses to everChallenges changing local circumstances.

The main challenge of the projects is the limited support available for vulnerable children and youths. However, the Bangkok YMCA Foundation networks with institutions and agencies at local and national level. These include the multi disciplinary network on CSEC prevention and trafficking in persons, and the national allied networking with HIV and AIDS for advocacy issues.

BANGKOK, Thailand

BANGKOKTHAILAND

In 1999 the Bangkok YMCA launched a programme for AIDS Orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS in Nakhon Pathom and nearby central provinces. Funding was received from the Yokohama YMCA, the YMCA of the USA, ECPAT International and other donors. In Phayao province, an awareness raising programme which aims to protect children from sexual abuse and trafficking has been running since 1992.

Future prospects The Bangkok YMCA Foundation seeks to strengthen the process of assisting with emergency cases and hopes to set up a counseling centre to assist children and youth at risk. We also hope to share our experiences and the lessons learned with the public and other NGOs.

Programme goals and main areas of intervention The AIDS Orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS project targets children living with HIV and AIDS. It offers basic BANGLADESH education and support which enhances their quality of life.

BANGLADESH

The awareness-raising programme seeks to protect children from The National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh (NCYB) has implemented a “Building Awareness through Campaigning on sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons.

HIV and AIDS (BACHA)” with its affiliated member YMCAs. The project was funded by the Pacific Alliance of YMCAs during Target Group The direct beneficiaries of the AIDS Orphans and children affected its implementation period ((September 2004-August 2005).

by HIV and AIDS project are 80 children between the ages of Programme goals and main areas of intervention The main goals of the project are: five and 18. The indirect beneficiaries are about 2 000 children To prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in Bangladesh; and youths.

To improve knowledge and awareness of HIV and AIDS among The Awareness Raising to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse 15 000 people, especially the youth and adolescents; To enhance the capacity of local YMCAs to manage an HIV and and Trafficking in Persons project benefits 120 vulnerable and poor children from hill-tribe and low land in Northern Thailand. AIDS programme for the betterment of the youth and adults in the community.

It also targets 40 vulnerable children and youths who have suffered sexual abuse.

The project also seeks to increase beneficiaries’ awareness of how to prevent HIV and AIDS.

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Target Group The target beneficiaries of the project are 15 000 people of different ages, including adolescents, youth and adults. Our first priority is vulnerable groups, including lorry drivers, slum dwellers, BELARUS prostitutes, rickshaw pullers and day labourers.

Achievements Resource Materials on HIV and AIDS have been developed; Trained 22 Co-ordinators to conduct HIV and AIDS workshops; Conducted 209 awareness building workshops at community level; A total of 5 174 participants obtained knowledge and skills on preventing HIV and AIDS.

BELARUS

The YMCA Belarus has successfully implemented a programme on “Youth for the healthy way of life”. The project is running in six local branches of YMCA Belarus: Brest, Bobruisk, Vitebsk, Volozhin, Lida, Minsk and Molodechno. Our partners include representatives of state bodies.

Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention The main objective of the programme is to raise the level of Challenges awareness of young people aged 14-18 of the problem of spreading The main challenge of this project lies in an ongoing sensitisation HIV and substance addiction in order that they can adopt a responsible attitude to their own health. The project brings of community people; Women or girls hardly participate in these workshops/trainings young people into active work the local organisations. because of restrictions imposed on them by their families and local religious leaders.

Target Group Drug users hardly participated in the workshops.

The programme beneficiaries include young people aged 14-19 who are also in the vulnerable age bracket.

Future prospects The National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh hopes to initiate Achievements advocacy programmes for teachers at primary and secondary These include: schools, religious and social leaders at community level, and 14 youth leaders trained on “Healthy ways of life.” They will be amongst various professional groups. expected to replicate the training through the percolation method; 94 youth have replicated the training on HIV and AIDS prevention at peer education centres of local branches of YMCA Belarus; A “Resource packet on preventive work with youth”, for volunteer

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peer educators is available in centres of YMCA Belarus; Challenges The relatively small number of peer educators have not made much impact on their peer group; The attrition rate and waning of interest of trained young multipliers greatly affects the project impact.

These challenges, however, will contribute to a qualitative change of the strategy of programme, making it more successful in the end.

Future prospects We aim to develop independent local peer education centres and raise the level of efficiency of services in the sphere of HIV and AIDS prevention.

We plan to: Create an “Informational-methodical centre of YMCA on the problem of HIV and AIDS”. This will publish material on the status of the epidemic in the regions of Belarus, information on special services provided in the field of HIV and AIDS and on work with teenagers and adults on HIV and AIDS prevention.

Integrate experience in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Sweden into joint activities, aimed at raising the efficiency of preventative programmes.

Challenges Lack of definition on ideological issues Future prospects IEC campaigns; Collaboration with appropriate networks for prevention; Continued training; Work on public sector policies on sexual health; Pedagogic strategies (eg, experiential learning); Creation of teaching materials; Recognition of values and principles for the exercise of responsible sexuality.

GHANA

GHANA

The Ghana YMCA sourced funds from the Ghana Aids Commission to implement an HIV and AIDS programme in six communities (Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Ho and Takoradi). The programme trains young people to become peer educators.

Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention The project had three strategic goals: To establish two youth friendly counseling centres to provide quality reproductive health services to the youth by the end of June 2005.

To train 144 Peer Educators by the end of June 2005.

To reach out to 10 000 young people with counseling and referral Columbia has a population of 45 million, of whom 44% services and also motivate them to seek Voluntary Counseling are children and youth. The main problems are poverty, and Testing by the end of June 2005. armed conflict and displacement, low education, Target Group abuse, and juvenile delinquency. Girls and boys are sexually active at an early age. While there The target population for this project is the youth aged 15-25 is good knowledge of family planning, there is years. This includes both in-school and out-of-school young a poor utilisation rate. people. Special attention is given to young females, many of whom have been lured into social vices like prostitution because they are out of school waiting to continue or are faced with In 2004 the YMCA Bogota created a module economic hardships. This is the result of inadequate employment opportunities which has led to low standards of living. on “Education for Love: Youth with Healthy Lifestyles” Achievements Programme goals and main area(s) 144 Peer Educators trained to reach out to their peers; of intervention The 144 Peer Educators reached out to 6 321 young people The module focuses on prevention of (3 295 males and 3 026 females) with accurate and appropriate unhealthy practices and on the information on HIV and AIDS; promotion of healthy lifestyles. The One youth friendly counselling centre was established. objective is to promote responsible Ghana’s HIV and AIDS prevalence rate dropped from 3.1% in sexuality in youth through 2005 to 2.6% in 2006. We believe the Ghana YMCA has contributed strengthening of self-identity and life to this achievement through our HIV and AIDS programmes. skills, and leadership capacity building.

Challenges The main challenge was the number of trained peer educators Target group who travelled out of their various project areas to attend school.

This did not allow them to reach out to the total number of young Youth aged 14-26 in high risk areas. people proposed in the project. There was also a delay in implementation due to delays in releasing funds.

Achievements Youth leaders are becoming promoters of healthy lifestyles and are training Future prospects other youth. The YMCA Bogota is CVJM Westbund has given funds to the Ghana YMCA to working with other agencies to deliver undertake an HIV and AIDS project through mainstreaming it the training. in ongoing traditional programmes. The programme chosen is trained. drama and dancing.

Publications: An education brochure The Ghana YMCA intends to produce a comprehensive HIV and “Making Love, Building with Love”, and AIDS plan which will include scaling up our prevention strategy, a game “A Happy World” have been which is our strength, and venturing into Care and Support as produced. well as advocacy on stigma and discrimination.

COLUMBIA

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...empowered youth and communities working together to mobilise resources for delivering sustainable, community-based, gender-sensitive, youth-focussed, Christian-value based HIV and AIDS programmes...

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JAMAICA

JAMAICA

In June 2002 the Kingston YMCA established a Youth-Friendly Reproductive Health Service for male youth aged 10-19 years in the association’s remedial education programme. The programme offers reproductive health education, counseling, condoms and referral to clinical services. The project operates five days each week Mondays-Fridays. Condoms were made available on site to sexually active boys. Where necessary, they were referred for clinical care at the Bethel Baptist Church and the Comprehensive Health Centre.

Target groups The ARSH, HIV and AIDS project targets young people aged 1018 years, whilst the orphan’s project targets young people aged 13-25.

Achievements Achievements include the establishment school based life clubs, and the availability of educational materials including a manual and curriculum. The orphan’s project has succeeded in training over 100 youths in various technical skills which enables them eke out a living.

Challenges The distance between the project’s implementing branches hinders effective co-ordination and supervision of project activities. This is further compounded by the lack of committed volunteers to help out with the project. The orphan’s project is constrained by Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention The main goal of the project is to help the YMCA improve on its insufficient funds. youth development programme through remedial education, counseling, referral, condoms and parents education.

Future prospects The Kenya YMCA aims to scale up its HIV and AIDS programme to cater for the already infected youths. We also plan to provide Target group youth friendly reproductive services in a youth friendly Male youths aged 10-19 years. environment (clinic).

Achievements For the orphan’s project, the Kenya YMCA intends to scale up These include: its activities by soliciting more funds in order to enroll more (100) Observable behavioral change and increased knowledge on students every year. This will be partly done through sending reproductive health issues; Access and availability of counseling services, positive and open out appeals for support and by establishing a Fund that will help sustain the programme even after its completion with the current attitude of projects staff. funding partner (Baden YMCA).

Challenges Challenges to programme success include lack of appropriate educational material, space limitations, and the disparity between community RH values and those being taught to the boys.

Other challenges include: Low levels of literacy among youth; Physical restrictions, for example, limited space for counseling and other sessions requiring interaction; Limited teaching/educational materials and methods appropriate for youth.

NIGERIA

NIGERIA

The Owerri Branch of YMCAs of Nigeria implemented an HIV and AIDS project in May 2005 in three communities of Egbu in Owerri North, Osina in Ideator North and Okwele in Onuimo Local Government Areas of Imo State of Nigeria. The project is sponsored by the Imo State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) for a period of one year.

KENYA

Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention The main goals of the project include the establishment of HIV and AIDS Voluntary Counselling and referral Centres in target KENYA communities and the dissemination of information and The Kenya YMCA has implemented several projects, including sensitisation of the public against discrimination and the Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH, HIV &AIDS) stigmatisation of people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Project and the ‘Aids Orphans training programme’ in Target groups Kisumu, Western Kenya.

The project mainly targets 60 people living with HIV and AIDS, including orphans and Programme goals and main 15 families affected by HIV area (s) of intervention and AIDS. The indirect The ARSH, HIV & AIDS project beneficiaries include 5 000 seeks to improve the adolescent youths and adults through sexual reproductive health outreach and information knowledge and practices of 20 sharing initiatives.

000 youths between ages of 10 and 18 through mass media campaigns.

Achievements These include: The AIDS orphans project Three voluntary counseling supports AIDS orphans by and referral centres training them in technical skills established; for self reliance.

IEC materials (Posters,

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sustainability. Impact assessment and evaluation involves Stickers, T-Shirts, Bill Board) developed; Training conducted for HIV and AIDS counselors and community participants, partner NGOs, government agencies and other stakeholders. care givers; Challenges The major challenge was getting community people and youths to serve as models for Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials for fear of stigmatisation. However, with sensitisation, their fears were alleviated and their support was enlisted.

Challenges Lack of support within other YMCAs and the need to mainstream HIV and AIDS in programmes; Limited resources to expand the project to more areas; and The lack of skills and capacity of the YMCA to sustain the programme at local levels.

Meeting the needs of numerous PLWHA is another major challenge especially in the circumstance of limited resources.

Future Prospects The YMCA of the Philippines is challenged to strengthen cooperation with schools and communities through its local YMCAs. It is essential to scale-up HIV and AIDS programmes for greater impact. This includes strengthening partnerships with state bodies and increased advocacy for the adoption and implementation of prevention programmes and support foundations, and associations of PLWHAs. Support will be solicited for YMCA partners in education and prevention programmes.

Future prospects The YMCAS of Nigeria aim to scale up to reach out to more PLWHA in its operational communities. This will include care and support, and increasing strategies for information dissemination on care and positive living, and how and where to access help relating to HIV and AIDS.

PHILIPPINES

SIERRALEONE

PHILIPPINES

SIERRA LEONE

The YMCA of the Philippines has been receiving support from the World Service Fund of the YMCA of USA to implement an Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH), and HIV and AIDS education and prevention programme for the past three years.

Areas covered include Metro Manila, Quezon and Aurora Provinces.

The YMCA Sierra Leone received support from the Swedish YM/YWCA through the African Alliance of YMCAs to implement the Adolescence Reproductive Health (ARH), HIV and AIDS project for youth in the Hastings and Lumley communities in the Western Area of Sierra Leone for two years effective 2005.

Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention To provide ARH, HIV and AIDS Prevention Education to 13 000 youth aged 12-24; To build capacity and mobilise 3 000 adult leaders, parents and workers in ARH education, counseling and services; To help YMCA staff and volunteers develop curriculum/modules to manage and sustain ARH, HIV and AIDS programmes.

The project provides interactive and participative awarenessraising and prevention methods on HIV and AIDS for youth and adult leaders. It facilitates dialogue and experience sharing about sex and sexuality, HIV and AIDS, and positive behavior.

Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention The project has three strategic goals: To improve the ARH knowledge and practices of 12 500 youths between the ages of 10 and 18; To involve 2 500 adult leaders in ARH dialogue and service delivery; To enhance the capacity of the YMCA to design, manage and sustain ARH, HIV & AIDS programmes; The project provides astute awareness raising and prevention methods about HIV and AIDS for youth.

The peculiarity of the project lies

Target Groups The project was designed to reach 16 000 youth aged 12-24 for the pre-employment orientation seminars. The YMCA collaborated with school-based clubs through the local YMCAs in at least ten cities and towns and other community-based youth clubs and organisations. These in turn identified the target age group, including prospective migrant workers.

Other age groups were mobilised to help the YMCA as information providers, training facilitators and counselors.

Achievements The programme has reached more than 12 000 individuals in 13 towns, cities/provinces; Recognition from government partners; Accreditation from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) as a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Provider; Airing of weekly radio programmes and a media campaign on HIV and AIDS prevention; Availability of activity-based and participative Module on ARH, HIV and AIDS Education. measured in part by the desire of participants for programme HIV

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in its drive to break the taboo of talking about sex between community elders and parents on one hand, and their children and wards on the other. This seems to pay-off a lot in the implementing communities.

to or living with the disease.

Target Group The target groups include students, out of school youth and a few school-going youth between the ages of 10 and 30, women in rural communities, religious leaders and community elders.

Target Group The target beneficiaries of the project are 12 500 youths between the ages of 10 and 18. To meet this target, live school clubs have Achievements been formed in schools. They regularly meet to discuss ARH, Established 10 peer educators clubs in ten schools in the Greater HIV and AIDS. Banjul Area; Reached over 20 000 people in the Western Division and Greater Youths are targeted as beneficiaries of this project because of Banjul Area;.

Created a high sense of leadership skills among students through their risk of contracting HIV and AIDS. the ARH Annual Inter School Debate and Quiz competition; Empowered religious leaders to effectively disseminate and Achievements create awareness about HIV and AIDS through sermons and Peer educators training manual developed; 30 Master Peer Educators trained to use the manual for effective other religious gatherings. percolation method; Each of the 30 Master Peer Educators has replicated trainings to Challenges 12 peer educators in their communities. A total of 360 peer One challenge is that the Gambia YMCAs have ventured into educators are now engaged in HIV and AIDS sensitisation areas previously neglected by government. Satellite villages are activities; calling on the YMCAs to reach them despite the phasing out of Adult leaders now engage in discussions about unprotected sex, the Y Care International funded project. This has been prompted by the desire and co-operation of beneficiary communities in ARH, HIV and AIDS; Several community performances on HIV and AIDS awareness YMCAs operational areas. done; These achievements were clearly articulated during a Monitoring Future Prospects Scale–up existing programmes with particular emphasis on and Evaluation exercise conducted by the African Alliance. home-based care facilities.

Challenges The main challenge of the project was the huge time investment Funding is being sought for the publication of a Gambia YMCAs to involve youths for the implementation of the project. It was Peer Educators / ARH Manual. conceived as merely a sensitisation project and not mainstreamed into existing programmes and projects of the YMCA. This could have easily captured the full involvement of young people.

However, the time investment and genuineness in giving leadership roles to the young people turned the table round TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO positively. The project is considered a success.

TRINIDAD&TOBAGO

Future prospects The YMCA-SL is now poised to scale-up for advocacy roles aimed at providing care and support for young people living with HIV and AIDS. In addition, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) of HIV and AIDS will be at the heart of YMCA HIV & AIDS programming.

THE GAMBIA

GAMBIA

Since 1995 we have been delivering informal sexual health education to participants in the In-house Programme of the Youth Outreach Department. This programme initially started with outreach to boys who worked and lived on the street, but has since changed to work with boys in danger of falling out of the educational system.

Our community outreach work started addressing HIV nationally in 1999.

Programme Goals and Main Area(s) of Intervention Informal HIV and AIDS awareness education and presentations have been made in secondary schools across the country, community based organisations, and the University of the West The Gambia YMCAs are implementing HIV and AIDS programmes aimed at reducing the pandemic and its attendant Indies.

Staff and volunteers have received training from Red Cross effects on Gambians. These programmes are funded by Y Care “together we can” and the FPA of TT’s “CHAMP-TT”. This International UK; Finish YMCAs – Finland; and the National initiative is a family- based intervention.

AIDS Secretariat – Gambia Government.

Staff have trained peer educators in a programme led by the Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention Trinidad Youth Council with funding from UNDP. The strategic objectives of the programmes are: “It takes Two Revolutionary School” is an interactive workshop To promote the positive role of young people in combating HIV developed by University PhD candidate Gabrielle Hosein in and AIDS; delivering a comprehensive Gender Based programme.

To sensitise students and the communities about HIV and AIDS, The YMCA has been the leading force in Social Marketing HIV its mode of transmission and preventive strategies; Campaigns in Trinidad and Tobago.

Manage and mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on farming Men-touring is a gender sensitisation programme aimed at addressing masculinity and violence against women. communities; Reduce stigma and discrimination; Care and support for those living with and affected by HIV and Achievements Co-facilitated training of 70 peer educators in Tobago and over AIDS; Promote self esteem in youth, women and children vulnerable 100 in Trinidad.

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These trainings were co-facilitated with the Trinidad Youth Council and the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Youth Network (CHAYN).

35 000 condoms distributed during the carnival season events of 2006.

Sensitised adolescents in the secondary school system nationally.

Increased funding for safer sex social marketing.

Over 1 000 young men in schools and children’s institutions receiving gender based sensitization.

Youth Canada World.

Future prospects Exploiting our mass media production potential; a lot of the outreach staff have clear creative skills that may not be used to the full potential in their work for the YMCA. Staff have received training in Video Production and editing.

Using sport to outreach – staff to be trained in using the Kicking Aids Out programme.

Documentary and on-going talk show to be hosted by the YMCA staff on Gayelle TV. Community and Cable TV station.

Re-establish ourselves in the field of SRHR advocacy.

Strengthening and expanding our gender education programme.

Training for all YMCA staff, volunteers and members.

URUGUAY

Achievements The following has been achieved: - Base line of knowledge, attitudes and practices of the youths of the communities of the intervention zone; - Training curriculum and manual; - 64 girls and boys peer educators in schools, vocational training centre and in the communities in general; We have publicised our work and perspective on HIV and AIDS - 24789 people sensitised on reproductive health, STIs and HIV and SRHR work via the mass media. We are frequently invited and AIDS, to participate on talk shows both on the radio and on TV. - 576 adult people sensitised and involved; Produced a pamphlet on the ABC. - Working with public administration services, international Co-produced a documentary on the Best Practices adopted by organisations and local NGOs; youth in Trinidad and Tobago to combat HIV and AIDS. - 238 young people were reached through counseling and reference Funding and Technical support by the German Technical Coactivities. operation (GTZ).

Produced the S word campaign song and video presentation.

Future prospects There are two new initiatives: The “from crisis to opportunity” project funded by the YMCA Challenges We have many driven young staff members but no specialisation of Sweden (2005 -2007). Twenty in- school peer educators and 10 leaders of life clubs are working in schools. in Sexual Health Work.

Developing a more comprehensive message to combat HIV “Better life options” is funded by the Y’s Men International. The and AIDS. The separation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in field work for this project led the YMCA to work closely with an NGO called APEB in order to contribute to the care of PLWHAs. addressing HIV and AIDS. There are challenges instituting the questionaires to party goers on correct condom use.

Funding for HIV and AIDS work is a tricky business for an NGO promoting comprehensive sexual health education.

TOGO

TOGO

The YMCA of Togo started HIV and AIDS work in 1998. A year after, a prevention programme was undertaken with the financial support of the Packard Foundation and the technical assistance of the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA). The programme was called “New Choices for a New Africa” and covered six communities in BE Zone in Lomé from 1999-2003.

Programme Goals and Main Area(s) of Intervention Peer Education was the main approach used, including training workshops, mass outreaches, talks and discussions, film shows, sociocultural and sport activities, radio programmes and conferences.

In 2003 and 2004 the prevention work continued in 15 video clubs in Lome and 20 rural communities. The prevention among video clubs’ clients was funded by CIDA. More than 20 persons were referred to clinics for STI treatment purposes.

URUGUAY

Pintó Cuidarse began early in 2004 as a joint project by Iniciativa Latinoamericana and the Uruguay YMCA with the aim of creatively pooling their strengths, which would enable them to contribute to developing more effective and efficient strategies for AIDS prevention, particularly aimed at young people in Uruguay.

The project received funding from UNICEF Uruguay and came to an end in August 2005. Its aim was to contribute to comprehensive HIV and IDS prevention among young people, producing an effective participative movement in civil society, which would ensure the inclusion of the issue in the public agenda and in the country's social policies.

Programme goals and major areas of intervention - To sensitise and train young people by means of the so-called 'Estrategia lúdica' (games strategy) to be front leaders in the struggle against AIDS with their peers and local communities.

- To encourage social commitment and involvement by young people from different social and economic backgrounds in carrying out effective local and national campaigns as a demonstration of solidarity.

- To sensitise decision-makers and staff in national and municipal, public and private institutions on the need to involve young people in social policies in the struggle against AIDS in Uruguay, based on the needs and wishes of the young people themselves.

- To include the issue of young people's involvement in the struggle against AIDS in the public agenda for debate, supported by the achievements of the young people themselves.

The intervention in the villages was supported by HIV

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Target groups Taking into account the need to have impact and to ensure the continuance of the work, three groups at local and national level were targeted: - Groups of adolescents and young people to be brought together and mobilised in six departments, with the aim that, on the basis of certain criteria, they should give legitimacy to the campaign; - Adults with the role of support, guidance and education (parents, teachers, community workers and community leaders etc); and - Decision-makers (people active in politics, the media and public service).

impact of Pintó Cuidarse in the regions on the website and experimental development of other information technology and communication methods.

Achievements - 235 young people directly trained as multipliers in comprehensive AIDS prevention (59% women and 41% men) actively involved in campaigns in six out of the 19 departments in Uruguay.

- A number of proposals and recommendations for the public AIDS agenda: prevention methods, sex education, access to advice for self-care, the role of families, health services, actions by campaigners and people living with HIV. - A significant level of emerging leadership, given the short time in group work. Between 20% and 25% of group members have taken on an active role of representation, organising activities, motivating friends, fund raising, etc.

- 134 political and social leaders, decision-makers, public servants and teachers have been sensitised on AIDS prevention and on the key role of participation by young people, through taking part in various working sessions, with high levels of dialogue and interaction, with 42 of them attending in their capacity as decision-makers.

- A publication and a CD describing the experiences gained to give information about the project.

- 82 organisations, public and private institutions and businesses involved in the process in various ways (publicity and recruiting adolescents, providing accommodation for meetings and other activities, providing teams for community work, sending representatives to meetings of adults, providing support in the form of materials or refreshments, etc.).

- 72 mentions in the media - press, radio and television - mostly at local or departmental level, dealing with the various activities of the project.

Pintó Cuidarse II complements Pintó Cuidarse I with the aim of strengthening and extending proven good social practice, empowering the existing human resources already mobilised in various departments of Uruguay.

Challenges - Creation of a website and e-mail links between participants.

- The involvement of decision-makers has been gradual, as the timing was not favourable, since the project coincided with the final stages of the national election campaign. However, following what had been planned, a series of activities was held to raise public awareness during the municipal elections in April 2005, which showed that it would be possible to involve institutions, public servants and decision-makers in the second phase from its very beginning.

Programme goals and main areas of intervention The programme provides Information Education and Communication on HIV and AIDS, and reproductive health in communities to prevent new HIV infections. It also supports people living with HIV and AIDS.

Future prospects Following the very positive project evaluation carried out jointly with UNICEF, plans have begun to be laid for Pintó Cuidarse II, taking into account the suggestions of the young people themselves, and including: - Giving more opportunities for adolescents and young people in Pintó Cuidarse to be more actively involved as leaders, so that they can repeat activities in the field of prevention in the interior of the departments already involved and in other departments where there is demand.

- Extending activities to include health promotion through introducing and organising sporting and recreational events.

- Strengthening the network of young people in Pintó Cuidarse.

- Publicising the HIV

PINTOCUIDARSEPROJECTII

PINTÓ CUIDARSE PROJECT II

Increasing geographical coverage by responding to demand from localities in the interior of those departments where work was done in 2004 and in two further departments. On the basis of an analysis of various epidemiological, strategic and logistical factors, it is proposed to focus on the coastal area and repeat activities there, and to expand in the metropolitan area.

Increasing the areas of work, introducing, in addition to HIV and AIDS prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles, emphasising recreational and sporting activities to counteract the consumption of stimulants most widely used by adolescents and young people (alcohol and tobacco).

Pintó Cuidarse II receives funding from UNICEF and is now in operation, having begun in August 2005.

VIETNAM

VIETNAM

In June 2004 the YMCA of Vietnam implemented an HIV and AIDS project in Hochiminh city, southern Vietnam.

Volunteers and peer educators are trained in care giving to HIV positive people at home and look for job opportunities for people living with HIV and AIDS. Target group 12 500 people from communities and schools; 300 people affected by HIV and AIDS; 120 children affected or influenced by HIV and AIDS; 30 HIV-positive youth.

Achievements Surveys show a marked positive sexual and reproductive behavioral change among the target group.

Peer education groups are very active in health care and counseling for HIV-positive people.

The project also created lots of networking with organisations, associations and churches for the human resources for the project.

Challenges The pandemic in Vietnam is more and more complicated. The infection rate among adolescents and youth increases day by day, particularly among sex workers and drug addicts. Current measures to combat the epidemic are inadequate, discrimination

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in society is still heavy and the number of people using ARVs is Zimbabwe very limited. The budget limit of the project has also greatly influenced the activities of the project.

ZIMBABWE

Future prospects The Vietnam YMCA continues to further promote IEC, care, volunteers and peer educator’s training and is seeking support Zimbabwe is one of the countries that are hardest hit by the HIV to establish a user-friendly testing centre, counseling and treatment and AIDS phenomenon. At the turn of the century, the prevalence of HIV was sitting at above 25%. With a death rate of 3000 per office for HIV-positive people. week of mostly young adults, much needed to be done to control the situation. In 2000, the Zimbabwe YMCA, in collaboration with Y Care International designed an intervention called the Family Life Education Programmes whose major aim was to reduce HIV infection, especially among young people, and the promotion of care for orphans and vulnerable children. The ZAMBIA programme is implemented at a rural place called Tanda in the Castorn District of Makoni.

The Zambia YMCA signed a four-year partnership agreement Goals and Objectives of the Programme with the International Youth Foundation in January 2006 to implement the Abstinence for Behavior Change for Youth (ABY) The goal of this programme is to contribute towards the reduction of HIV infection and to enhance the quality of life of those that Programme. The project seeks to influence positive behavior are infected and affected. change among young people aged 10-24 in the Kitwe and The programme has the following objectives Chibombo Districts of Zambia.

• To provide full and accurate information about and Programme goals and main area(s) of intervention debunk taboos related to HIV and AIDS and sexual reproductive health among young people, parents and The programme seeks to contribute to the reduction of the the greater community. infection rate by 5% among 1 200 young people aged 10-24 through improved knowledge, attitudes and practices in • To break communication barriers across the social spectrum on issues of HIOV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health. reproductive health Target Group • To empower the woman and the girl child to among other things be in effective control of the sexual and The project has targeted 1 200 direct beneficiaries and 10 000 reproductive health indirect beneficiaries by the end of 2009 using the Peer Education Training in ABY HIV Prevention strategies.

• To provide orphan care • To train 60 to 100 peer educators for dissemination of information about HIV and AIDS Achievements These include: 20 Peer Educators trained in Training of Trainers; Target Group 70 new Peer Educators trained; The programme primarily targeted young people between the ages of 13 and 30 in school and out of school. It also targeted Distributed 1 600 IEC Materials to schools and communities; Initiated community discussions on negative cultural practices parents, teachers and community leaders. that expose young girls to HIV infection in three villages in Chibombo district.

Strategies The programme uses the following strategies Challenges • Community forums- These are open group discussions that are facilitated by peer educators, but presided over Due to high unemployment levels in Zambia, we envisage a high by a village or community leader attrition rate of trained peer educators. As soon as peer educators secure employment, they move out. Secondly, we need a very • Training of peer educators effective advocacy strategy against some traditional and cultural • Establishment of Youth Friendly Centres where young people can access print and electronic information and practices that expose women and girls to the HIV pandemic. where there are formal and informal discussions among Messages have to simultaneously be accompanied by economic youth and with peer educators empowerment activities for women, especially sex workers, so that they can have access to alternative sources of income • Youth camps and sports events payment of school fees and purchase of school uniforms generation. advocacy for children's rights workshops for community leaders and other Future Prospects stakeholders The programme has been well received and accepted in the two districts of implementation. It is generating a lot of discussions on cultural and sexuality issues. This makes it much easier to Achievements scale up the activities and also extend to new communities and • 120 Peer Educators have been trained since the inception villages. The inclusion of traditional leaders, local government of the programme officials and parents has brought in local ownership of the • The programme has reached over 150,000 people in the programme and its activities. Future participatory impact Tanda community assessments shall be easier to conduct and the results will be • Three Youth Friendly Centres are operational where more objective. youths are able to access information on HIV and AIDS and adolescent reproductive health. On average 15 young people visit the Centres per day.

• About 400 orphans have been assisted with school fees and uniforms • Sport has been popularised as a form of relaxation as well as social interaction. this has particularly been

ZAMBIA

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Zimbabwe is one of the countries that are hardest hit by the HIV and AIDS phenomenon...With a death rate of 3000 per week of mostly young adults, much needed to be done to control the situation helpful as part of a psychosocial support for orphans • The community has developed a positive attitude towards orphans • There is more openness about HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health issues and more people are willing to go for voluntary testing and counselling • More people, especially youth are showing an interest in the use of condoms • There is a decline in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies

• There is need to network more with other nongovernmental organisations and government agencies and departments in order to create effective synergies.

Future Prospects There is no doubt that the Family Life Education Programme has impacted the Tanda community in a big way. YMCA has developed valuable experience during the course of implementing this programme. More resources and increased capacity would help in expanding this programme and replication it in other areas, making it a truly national programme. There is need to Challenges focus more on care, not just for the orphans, but also for the • Resources to maintain the momentum that has been infected and affected so that they are able to manage the condition. created are not immediately available • There are still conservative attitudes among some church Voluntary testing and counselling need to be emphasised more, while condom distribution needs to be scaled up and traditional leaders. The programme area is predominantly Catholic. The YMCA has been strongly Although the programme happens in an environment that is fraught with political sensitivities the Zimbabwe YMCA by and discouraged from distributing condoms by both the large enjoys the good will of the community and the powers that • Catholic establishment and traditional leaders who be. The programme is implemented within the broad framework argue that condom distribution will promote of national government as well as global policies on HIV and licentiousness among young people.

AIDS and children's rights.

• The scale of the problem of orphans is huge and an equal amount of resources is required.

• There is need for more professional input to programme Given these circumstances, the programme can only be expected delivery. For example, a child psychologist would to continue to build on the success achieved so far. strengthen the programme HIV

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continued from page 6...

A WORKPLACE POLICY The YMCA has a lot at stake if the response to HIV and AIDS is inadequate. This is not only because AIDS will kill more people this decade than all wars and disasters in the past 50 years, but also because it threatens the organisational capacity and very survival of YMCAs in countries with high HIV prevalence.

As part of the Plan of Action, with the financial support of the World Council of Churches, we have developed a draft Workplace Policy to be adopted as a guideline for YMCAs

employed by or working as volunteers for YMCAs. • Mitigate the impact of denial, stigma and discrimination in the workplace on the basis of real or perceived HIV status or vulnerability to infection.

The policy should respond to and balance the needs of employers and workers and should offer an example in general of how to manage HIV and AIDS. The workplace policy should be integrated into existing personnel policy. Discussing the HIV and AIDS workplace policy is crucial in creating openness around HIV and AIDS issues as well as giving the opportunity for reassurance from employers and openly establishes procedures The YMCA HIV and AIDS workplace policy is intended to provide a set of guidelines to address the HIV and AIDS epidemic for protection. in the world of work and to promote a non-discriminatory The policy applies to all YMCA employees and programme employment policy within the YMCAs that helps to: • Assure a supportive work environment for employees volunteers including applicants for work, and all aspects of work, and volunteers living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. formal and informal.

• Minimise the possibility of HIV infection for those HIV

AIDS THE INITIATIVE AND RESPONSE OF THE WORLD YMCAS 21

Key principles * Recognising HIV and AIDS as a workplace issue. * No discrimination against workers on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. * More equal gender relations and empowerment of women are vital to successfully prevent the spread of HIV infection and enable women to cope with HIV and AIDS. * The work environment should be healthy and safe so far as is practicable, in order to prevent the transmission of HIV. * The successful implementation of an HIV and AIDS policy and programme requires co-operation and trust between employers, workers and their representatives. * Social dialogue where appropriate with the active involvement of workers infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. * HIV and AIDS screening should not be required. *Personal data related to workers HIV status should be bound by rules of confidentiality. * HIV Infection is not a cause for termination of employment.

HIV

* Prevention of HIV infection should be promoted.

The workplace policy has to be discussed and adopted by all national movements and should be annexed to the personnel policy of the organisation. Responsibility for implementation rests with the highest decision making authority within the respective (local/national/regional/global) YMCA. Guidelines are to be developed that help to promote the implementation of the policy in the YMCAs. At the 16th World Council, we expect to vote on the policy as our global commitment to promoting a conducive workplace environment for people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.

AIDS THE INITIATIVE AND RESPONSE OF THE WORLD YMCAS 22

YMCA Hiv & Aids

Programmes Russia Sweden Belarus Denmark

United Kingdom

Canada

Germany

United States of America Ukraine Japan

Hong Kong

Belize Jamaica Honduras

Guatemala

Senegal Trinidad & Tobago

India

Sierra Leone

Panama Colombia Ecuador

Liberia • Cote D Ivoire

Sri Lanka

Ghana Togo Nigeria

Kenya Indonesia Zambia

Angola Ecuador

Zimbabwe Uruguay Argentina

Supporting Movements

•

J C A

3 0 3

Implementing Programmes

A F R O S P I C E

Vietnam

Ethiopia

Tanzania

HIV OF THE WORLD AIDS MCAs THE INITIATIVE AND RESPONSE

W i t h

Philippines

Thailand

Gambia

t h e S u p p o r t

o f . . .