USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone: Empowering girls and young women, building resilience in the face of HIV/AIDS

By Dr Godson Maro & Theresia Christian

“Things changed. I spent more time caring for her. We had frequent visits to the hospital. Her fragile condition from being HIV positive and then diagnosed with tuberculosis at the tender age of 2 years made her health deteriorate.

My economic situation worsened. I couldn’t go to the market to sell goods as I used to. This is because I had a grandchild who is HIV positive and had to care for her.” A story of Sony (not real name) (51) a grandmother raising a grandchild living with HIV.

The HIV plight is directly linked to different socio-economic indicators. Such indicators include health, education, income generation stigma, and discrimination that create a risk environment-among HIV affected and infected individuals and their communities.

According to UNAIDS 2020 reports, the HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15-49) in Tanzania was estimated to be 4.6%. However, the prevalence among women was higher than among men, with 5.8% of adult women living with HIV compared to 3.8% of adult men.

The report further showed that there were 6,500 new infections among children below 15 years old. The Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS 2022-23) indicates that the annual HIV incidence among adults (aged 15 years and older) was 0.18%.

The survey reports approximately 60,000 new cases annually among adults. USAID Kizazi Hodari (Brave Generation) Project is a child-focused and family-centred project with the main goal of improving health, well-being, and protection of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and youth aged 0-17 years in high HIV burden communities along four key domains of services which are health, safety, education, and stability.

In a family-centred project like the USAID Kizazi Hodari, women play a crucial role as key players at the epitome of the project and change drivers in contributing to the 95-95-95 global goal that calls for 95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to attain viral suppression by 2030.

Caregivers In most societies, women are often primary caregivers within families. Caregivers are among the primary beneficiaries of the USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Project.

The project supports mothers/ caregivers of Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) as they are actively involved in accessing healthcare services, adhering to treatment regimens, and providing emotional and physical support to family members living with HIV/AIDS.

Through this project 36,663 mothers/caregivers have been linked into Savings and Lending Groups (SLGs) which are referred to as ‘Hazina Yetu Groups’ (our treasure).

Through the groups, the caregivers receive training on Gender Based Violence (GBV), Violance Against Children (VAC) prevention and response, positive parenting knowledge, saving and lending, financial literacy, business development and entrepreneurship.

The groups are supported with documentation materials for record-keeping to enhance accountability and traceability. In collaboration with Local Government Authorities (LGAs), the project facilitates market linkage and other resources to the SLGs as they are available.

The community case workers To enhance OVC identification, linkage and enhancing Viral Load (VL) suppression efforts, KH works with Community Case Workers (CCWs) who reside in the communities to identify OVC conduct needs assessment and provide referrals and linkage to services.

Among the KH CCWs, 56% are women. The USAID Kizazi Hodari NEZ CCWs facilitate monitoring and supporting caregivers to enhance adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among children. They also conduct nutritional assessment (MUAC) to children and provide linkages and referrals to nutritional support and HIV Testing services for malnourished children.

“The CCW frequently visited us. She encouraged us and showed us support. During the visits, she educated me on the importance of adhering to my grandchild’s medication and nutrition. It was also through her that I was linked to the SLG nearby my area.

From the group, I was able to get a loan that I was able to top-up to purchase dairy cattle and started keeping poultry for selling and obtaining food for my family. I collect up to 30 eggs a week. I sell some to obtain home basic needs and some for my grandchildren and my ill father to eat. We also sell milk and drink here at home,” explained Sony on how she benefited from the USAID Kizazi Hodari NEZ project.

Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) The UNAIDS 2020 report to Tanzania indicated that 50% of all new HIV infections are among the 15 – 29-year-old age group. This called for efforts to ensure that young people have the skills, knowledge, and capacity to protect themselves from HIV and have access to sexual and reproductive health services.

The goal is to reduce the number of new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women. The USAID Kizazi Hodari (Brave Generation) Project Northeastern zone through PEPFAR’s Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) strategy is geared to decrease HIV incidence in adolescent girls and young women.

Through the strategy, the project has registered 11,614 of AGYW by the first quarter of the FY24 of the project. Through the strategy, the AGYW contributes in creating resilient and healthy communities where individuals affected by HIV/AIDS can thrive and overcome challenges with strength and resilience.

This is the fact that these girls and young women become peer educators and mentors, they also play the awareness role in their families, provide emotional support to the caregivers/ family members living with HIV/ AIDS and participate in accessing healthcare services, including HIV testing, treatment, and care, not only for themselves but also for other family members including siblings.

The project has also facilitated the formation of 67 Hazina Yetu SLG among AGYW and Adolescent Boys and Young Men (ABYM) in the 9 project implementation regions. The groups bring together 1,139 young people (417 boys and 722 girls) to learn about saving, lending, and financial management.

The youth are also empowered with knowledge on HIV, Gender Based Violence (GBV), prevention and response, sexual reproductive health, and rights. The USAID Kizazi Hodari Project Northeastern zone embodies the holistic approach through family-centred interventions.

The project continues to not only address healthcare needs but also empower OVC caregivers, young girls and boys, to navigate economic challenges through initiatives like Savings and Lending Groups.

Additionally, the involvement of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in programs like DREAMS highlights the pivotal role of youth in driving individual and community resilience and combating HIV/AIDS stigma through education, peer support, and access to essential services.

“My other grandchild is in secondary school. While she’s HIV-negative, she provides support to me and her young sister. She ensures that her young sister takes her medication on time. Checks on her, play together and ensure she feels loved and happy,” Sony said with a smiling face.

This publication was made possible through support provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed herein are those of ELCT and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Dr. Godson Maro is the Chief of Party for the USAID Kizazi Hodari NEZ Project, Theresia Christian is the Associate Director of Communication and External Affairs for the project.