Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

VAP’s Secure Futures program is amongst the 16 projects out of 270 projects globally that has been shortlisted in the 2020 Beyond Sports Awards ‘Reduced Inequalities Award (SDG 10) category. Secure Futures program works towards meeting the needs of marginalized girls in unsafe settings, using intentional designed approaches and girl-centered methodologies. The program focuses on pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers living in the informal settlements around Nairobi where participants have a safe space that ushers in: life skills education, parenting support and Income Generating Activities (IGAs).

Re-Charging HIV Prevention Skills

A 3 days of re-charging time is what VAP had to put in place for some of the newly recruited coaches who joined other existing coaches for HIV training purposes. With different experts from various fields and health institutions being part of the trainings, attendees were equipped with hard-edged skills and knowledge regarding HIV and the entire sexual reproductive health and rights. Additional take a way was the importance of understanding program monitoring and evaluation process, both qualitative and quantitative as well as inspiring and motivating coaches to give and receive powerful and effective program feedbacks.

Turning Open Spaces Into Classrooms

Part of the ongoing HIV Skillz Home Based Initiative (HBI) program taking place in different communities. Now that schools are on shut-down, Skillz coaches have been on the forefront of  playing a ‘ teachers role’, by turning every open space into a  learning classroom and creating safe space environment for the youth to gather and learn vital lifeskill sessions. With youth spread everywhere, Skillz coaches are running multiple HIV intervention sessions in different communities as a way of keeping them busy and engaged.

For the 3^rd time running, ‘Chanuka Mtaani’ a grassroot community HIV forum was held right in the middle of the community with different attendees including: community health workers (CHWs), professionals in the field of HIV, representatives of various like-minded organizations, VAP’s HIV testing partners, youth program representatives, members of the community and representatives of the local administration. With the ongoing covid-19 restrictions and guidelines, the groups were divided into two categories. The main topics of the day were: Promoting critical dialogue on HIV/AIDS study findings, concerns that hinder reduction of new cases of HIV infection, the role of youth as HIV experts and more over the current Covid-19+ HIV.

Conducting HIV Pre and Post Survey

Monitoring and evaluation continues to play a key role in all the programs. All coaches report every activity that they conduct with the youth and collect pre and post intervention data to measure changes in program participant’s knowledge and attitudes the focus of the program. This is done through questionnaires and all information is entered into a scorecard, an excellent template that allows VAP staff to enter data offline and upload into a scoreboard. The scoreboard is a basic monitoring and evaluation that captures information including attendance, demographic data and pre/post surveys.

VAPCares Covid-19 Response Initiative

Under the belt of ‘VAPCares Covid-19’ Response initiative, Naivas supermarket, one of Kenya’s leading chain of supermarkets teamed up with VAP to distribute food and other covid-19 protective items including; soap and sanitizers. The food drive campaign aimed at various underprivileged strong hold communities of VAP’s program. With the distribution strategy in place to avoid commotion and other dangers during the pandemic period, the distribution were done through door-to- door visits of program participants with some of their parents visiting the office in few numbers and in turns. Additional food stuff is given to program participants during program graduations.