The United States government through United State Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated US$20 million to help children living with HIV.
Africaid is a community based organization which, through its Zvandiri program, provides community based prevention, treatment, care and support for children, adolescents and young people living with HIV.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare on Thursday, USAID’s Stephanie Funk said his organisation is proud to partner with Africaid to help Zimbabwean children and adolescents live longer, healthier lives.
“The united States stands with the people of Zimbabwe in an effort to end the HIV epidemic,” said Funk.
The grant is expected to scale up and expand the Zvandiri model in 22 priority districts of Zimbabwe from for from 2017 to 2022.
Africaid Executive Director, Nicola Willis said the grant will help them to continue helping children and adolescents living with HIV.
“Under this new USAID grant, we are delighted and honored that we will to continue to scale up Zvandiri as a model of differentiated service delivery, supporting MoHCC in 22 districts,” said Willis.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said significant advances in diagnostics, treatment and care have transformed the prognosis for children and adolescents with HIV in the country.
Parirenyatwa added that 80% of children living with HIV/Aids are now on antiretroviral therapy.
The Zvandiri program started in 2004 when a group of HIV positive children in Harare wanted to establish a support group where they could share experiences and develop skills on growing up with HIV.
