Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

Far from Eastlands parts of Nairobi, Kawangware played host of the 3^rd HIV community forum on 24^th October.Conducted by VAP in collaboration with its health providing partners, Eastern Deanery Aids Relief Program (EDARP), the forum attracted over 40 young participants both male and female from across Kawangware community eager to network, learn and share HIV knowledge and experiences as well as getting to know their HIV status by getting tested. Amongst topics presented for discussions were: Covid-19+ HIV,HIV prevalence amongst youth, social drivers that expose youth to HIV,the role of community and the youth in curbing HIV,importance of HIV testing, and Oral self-testing.

Peer Evaluation Exercise

A 3 days peer evaluation exercise was conducted between VAP and SAFE Kenya, an organization that uses street theatre, films, and community to educate, inspire and deliver social change messages. The exercise created an avenue for both organizations getting to: learn, network, share knowledge and understand each other’s programs delivery methodology and monitoring and evaluation systems. SAFE Kenya who visited VAP had an opportunity to visit VAP’s football based community interventions that included an HIV forum in Kawangware.

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.