Teen Club Visit – Malawi (UMMSA)

Name of the activity: Teen Club Visit

Country/NMO: Malawi (UMMSA)

Program: HIV/AIDS & Other STIs

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Education

General description:

Our activity involved us playing educational games that focused on ART compliance as well as the importance of staying in school. This was also coupled with a brief talk on the effects of failure to comply to ART. After this was done, it was followed by a donation of books and pens which we hoped inspired them to continue to stay in school and work hard despite their HIV status. We also aimed for our attendance to remind them that there is no discrimination against them from their peers despite their status.

Focus area:

Removing stigmatization and empowering people living with HIV, Ensuring access to treatment for people living with HIV or other STIs

Problem statement:

There is an increasing number of teens that are living with HIV in sub-saharan Africa at 260,000 as of 2016. The major issues surrounding them are stigma as well as access to treatment. The teen clubs established at tertiary hospitals allow teenagers to come to an environment where they can be comfortable and can have fun as well as access treatment. It was our aim to interact with these teens in their place of comfort to provide support and encouragement as well as to re educate them on the need to remain compliant on Antiretroviral treatment.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Teenagers living with HIV that attend teen club.

Objectives and indicators of success:

To educate teens on the need to remain compliant on ART
To discuss different techniques of taking ART with regards to schedules
To empower and encourage those living with HIV

Methodology:

Prior to this activity we organised funds to buy books and pens that we gave to the teens at the teen club. We attended their meeting which takes place after they have received their drugs. During the meeting we took part in their general activities and played educational games. These games focused on drug compliance as well as importance of obtaining an education and also empowered them and reminded them that they can achieve anything despite their status.

Plans for evaluation:

This was done generally after the session by their counsellors as to whether they wanted a continuation of such sessions. We also had one on one sessions during which we asked if they benefited from such and would like further input from us.